TheRev Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) I'm very much liking the look of these at the moment. [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars.htm"]Italia[/url] Particularly the Mondial and the Ampeg copy... I must be having a bout of retro GAS. Has anyone tried/got one? Edited November 13, 2007 by TheRev Quote
john_the_bass Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 my guitarist has got one of these: If they made a bass version, I'd probably have one - but they don't make one quite the same. The quality is excellent - however, his was made before Arbiter took them on and seems to be slightly better quality than the recent ones I've seen in Sound C*ntrol Quote
simon1964 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) I tried one unplugged at Music Live. Obviously, I can't comment on the amplified tone, but it felt surprisingly good to play, and seemed to be well made. And they look very cool! Edited November 13, 2007 by simon1964 Quote
Adam.M Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. That single pick up guitar is made of Korina (of flying V fame) which is quite good, and that's the cheapest one. The rest, the more expencive ones? AGATHIS! Agathis isn't a tone wood, it's mush, sludge, horrible stuff that is only for the cheapest of cheap guitars, and these guys are using 'em for £300-400 quid guitars... something ESP do and it pains me to see it. It really annoys me, as some of these basses look really nice looks wise, but the tone will never be there at all, even with EMG's. Though one of the ones I like a lot in the bass range is Korina, which should be fine. [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/imola_deluxe_4_5_bass_guitar.htm"]http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_b...bass_guitar.htm[/url] i really like that! A shame, i like the Mondial in black quite a bit too. Quote
TPJ Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 I wonder how it works with those Tipo basses having 4 big pickups side by side? If they are the standard lipsticks then would it have huge output with the string passing over four sets of magnets? Quote
Bassassin Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 I've always had GAS for the Maranello in red sparkle & pearloid. Looking like that, I couldn't give a rat's gonad what it's made from. Had a good drool over these at Music Live (although they didn't have a red Maranello - ) and I love some of the details - the Modulo's inline staggered lipstick pup is excellent: And it seems they do that in red sparkle, too... Jon Quote
TheRev Posted November 13, 2007 Author Posted November 13, 2007 [quote name='Adam.M' post='87775' date='Nov 13 2007, 10:36 AM']Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. That single pick up guitar is made of Korina (of flying V fame) which is quite good, and that's the cheapest one. The rest, the more expencive ones? AGATHIS![/quote] Apparently this one [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/mondial_deluxe_bass_guitar/mondial_deluxe_bass_guitar_honey_lg.jpg"]Mondial[/url] is mahogany with a maple top. Tasty. Quote
BigRedX Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 If you like the Ampeg copy you should check out the [url="http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/Bass/eeb-1/eeb-1Bass_frm.htm"]Eastwood EEB-1[/url] as well. They also do a [url="http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/Bass/eub-1/eub-1Bass_frm.htm"]fretless version[/url] Quote
Musky Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Adam.M' post='87775' date='Nov 13 2007, 10:36 AM']Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. That single pick up guitar is made of Korina (of flying V fame) which is quite good, and that's the cheapest one. The rest, the more expencive ones? AGATHIS! Agathis isn't a tone wood, it's mush, sludge, horrible stuff that is only for the cheapest of cheap guitars, and these guys are using 'em for £300-400 quid guitars... something ESP do and it pains me to see it. It really annoys me, as some of these basses look really nice looks wise, but the tone will never be there at all, even with EMG's. Though one of the ones I like a lot in the bass range is Korina, which should be fine. [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/imola_deluxe_4_5_bass_guitar.htm"]<a href="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_b...bass_guitar.htm" target="_blank">http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_b...bass_guitar.htm[/url]</a> i really like that! A shame, i like the Mondial in black quite a bit too.[/quote] They do the solid bodied Mondial Sportster in Korina as well, though it's not on the Arbiter site. Maybe they're not importing that one. Edited November 13, 2007 by Musky Quote
simon1964 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 [quote name='TheRev' post='87786' date='Nov 13 2007, 11:10 AM']Apparently this one [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/mondial_deluxe_bass_guitar/mondial_deluxe_bass_guitar_honey_lg.jpg"]Mondial[/url] is mahogany with a maple top. Tasty.[/quote] As is this one: [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/maranello_z_bass_guitar.htm"]http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_b...bass_guitar.htm[/url] In fact I think this is the one I played at Music Live - looks rather tasty! Quote
theosd Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) You'd have to be pretty wild with a plectrum to warrant this scratchplate... [url="http://www.arbiter.co.uk/italia/electric_bass_guitars/imola_deluxe_4_5_bass_guitar/imola_deluxe_4_5_bass_296.jpg"]Ew.[/url] Edited November 13, 2007 by theosd Quote
Johnzy Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 I've played these basses a few times, and i kinda like them. they are in no way subtle, and you need serious attitude to gig these basses. wasnt too impressed with them, tone and spec can be matched by epiphone along with similar prices. the only bass i considered buying was the z model, which has a really convincing upright tone. was considering buyin one, defretting it and putting some tape/gut strings on. it really was cool, even in lime green! Quote
charic Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 These basses just arent for me on appearance alone, ive not even seen one that i like the look of... dont even like their logo lol Quote
King Tut Posted November 14, 2007 Posted November 14, 2007 I used to have a Spector Euro 5 LX that had a walnut slice through it for added tone. I rekon I saw an Italia jobbie with a Bakelite slice through it for added 'tack'!! Not played one so I'm being a bit unkind, but sorry, not for me! Quote
hillbilly deluxe Posted August 22, 2008 Posted August 22, 2008 [quote name='Bassassin' post='87782' date='Nov 13 2007, 11:55 AM']I've always had GAS for the Maranello in red sparkle & pearloid. Looking like that, I couldn't give a rat's gonad what it's made from. Had a good drool over these at Music Live (although they didn't have a red Maranello - ) and I love some of the details - the Modulo's inline staggered lipstick pup is excellent: And it seems they do that in red sparkle, too... Jon[/quote] i just got one of these in gold sparkle,sound has a definate vintage vibe to it,sounds similar to a danelectro longhorn,not sure about the finish on the neck,but wet and dry will cure that Quote
Teddy_Hitch Posted August 22, 2008 Posted August 22, 2008 I owned an italia rimini bass and when I tried it in the shop I was like, wow this is so kool im so having it. Got it home, then sold it within the month thinking to myself, what WAS I thinking?! They look sweet but the tone just isnt there, and Im such a sucker for my usa p bass Quote
Bassassin Posted August 23, 2008 Posted August 23, 2008 The Rimini's the semi, isn't it? I do like the way it's blatantly based on the Rickenbacker 4005 semi but pulls it off without doing a single thing to attract the wrath of RIC's legal department! Other designers should watch & learn. And bloody hell - what about this for a subtle finish? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ITALIA-RIMINI-CLASSIC-BASS-BLUE-PEARL-NEW-CHEAP_W0QQitemZ130248952177"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ITALIA-RIMINI-CLASSI...emZ130248952177[/url] Jon. Quote
beerdragon Posted August 23, 2008 Posted August 23, 2008 Nicky wire appears to be playing a red ultra sparkle one one at Reading. cant say i'm struck on the sound. Quote
markytbass Posted August 24, 2008 Posted August 24, 2008 I like the Rimini and the maranello basses. I havn't actually played one yet so can't comment on sound etc. I didn't think Nicky Wire sounded too bad all things considered. As for trying stuff in shops I tried a Jet King at a local shop and it sounded pants, that said they only had little 20w practice amps to try stuff through. Quote
Born 2B Mild Posted August 24, 2008 Posted August 24, 2008 Reverb's clearance sale of ex-Sound Control gear includes a few Italia basses going cheap. Also, there's a Rimini on ebay right now. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.