Italia Imola 4 string bass

This a new bass (07) with a vintage/retro look but up to date sound and parts. It has somewhat the look of one of the old Ampeg basses from the 60s the ones with the big through the body F holes. This bass departs from the Ampeg theme as it has one big faux F hole and a bolt on maple neck with a more conventional 2 plus 2 headstock. The body is a light weight and comfortable Korina wood and is slightly smaller than a Fender Jazz bass. Speaking of the Jazz bass this bass borrows strongly from the J-bass, the 5 bolt 22 fret neck is a Jazz bass taper and the pickups and controls are taken straight from the J-bass mold. All in all a nice blend of the Ampeg/Fender theme.

The sound is very much like the Jazz bass with maybe a little more bottom, than most J-basses I've played due to the pickup placement and body material. I use a variety of amps and it holds up well through all of them. The pickups are the stock Wilkenson and nad sound great but exhibit the same hum in single coil mode as the Fenders, no better no worse.

This is where I was amazed the factory set up was dead on and the frets had no high spots and a nice feel. Same for the pickups, I'm told they actually set these up before shipping and it shows. Over all the fit and finish is above par for the price point, not quite Lakland Skyline and better than most MIM Fenders I have played.

This bass seems to be right up there as far as the any bolt neck bass for gig-a-bility, maybe a point or to off for the slant back headstock but no more so than say a Rickenbacker bass.

Never needed to call the company.

I have been playing many years.

Favorite feature it looks vintage but it is as modern as any new bass.

I would buy it again.