Bassot ›

Hi everybody! Sorry for writing in English! My written Finnish is just too pure! :)
I took a trip to Helsinki yesterday and visited most of the music stores there. What did I discover? Well, I tried appr 10-15 Fender jazz and precision basses in Fazer, mostly MIAs but also a few MIMs. I have to say that none of them wasn't good enough to consider a purchase. Dull sound, nonresonant wood, bad fretwork, even bad tuners. Also, the setup was poor! No purchase!
I visited Musamaailma and found some great instruments that carried ESP brand name. Jesse was kind enough to let me try different basses and I felt that I might order an ESP Vintage P very soon. Also tried some Warwicks and an Euro Spector. Although I never had a chance to try a good Warwick bass so far I finally got a chance to change my mind about Warwicks. There was a custom shop 4-string (4000 EUR) that felt and sounded just awesome. Almost like a bass guitar! :) Unluckily the string spacing at the bridge was too tight for my taste. So no purchase!
The Spector was not a good bass, felt like a tool for a blacksmith (or something like that) but not as a musical instrument. The sound wasn't musical at all too. So no purchase either. Sorry Jesse! :)
 
But.. Then I tried a new Ibanez ATK 800 in Levytukku and wow.. Just Wow! This instrument look great, feels great, plays great and the most important - sounds even better! It had a light and very resonant body, low action and great neck profile. I think they use a new preamp because I found other ATKs hanging besides the 800 like children toys. They were much heavier, duller and the preamp sounded like a crap. But the 800 felt like a 10 000 EUR instrument. Nothing like your usual Ibanez. Believe me, I have a bunch of very expensive basses hanging on the wall. And this EUR700 bass made me feel I need another bass. I am still considering! (Thanks Janne!)
So watch out - there's a new "guy" in town! :) Highly suggested!

Just wanted to add that the bass basically plays itself. Really a great instrument! Especially for the money! :)

MC44: Just wanted to add that the bass basically plays itself. Really a great instrument! Especially for the money! :)
 
This bass was selected as "editor's choice/favorite" in BassPlayer magazine. There is a very praising (brief) review of the bass in the latest issue. Price/quality ratio undoubtedly extremely good in this bass.

Michel de: This bass was selected as "editor's choice/favorite" in BassPlayer magazine. There is a very praising (brief) review of the bass in the latest issue. Price/quality ratio undoubtedly extremely good in this bass.
 
Actualy, I made a mistake. The bass in the BassPlayer review was Ibanez ATK805 (five strings) not ATK800. But It's likely that ATK800 carries the same quality.

Atk 800 is amazing. And SR premium is better than prestige model...
Can't wait to get my hands on BTB premium! :):):)