NBD - Italia Imola 5-String Fretless Electric Bass Guitar Vintage Red Burst

[Marc61]

I'm not gonna give you the "This one followed me home" story. Much different here. The doorbell rang, and I saw a box outside. Something seemed to be shivering inside. I couldn't just leave it. So I brought the box inside, left it sit for a bit. Then I decided to unwrap What a surprise!!! A fretless 5 string bass. Boy is that going to sound good playing Soul, R&B, Blues and a bunch of other cool stuff. Good thing I answered the door. She coulda been doomed. Lots of people looking for firewood around here to keep warm. She's in good hands now

 

[jd56hawk]

Classy-looking bass!
Always cool to look different than the norm and stand out in a crowd.

 

[Oren Hudson]

Thank you for saving that poor thing!

 

[Basshappi]

Very Cool, Congrats1
Has a very Ampeg vibe to it.

 

[Marc61]

Got a nice set of Thomastik-Infeld flats to throw on her tomorrow. Then I'll put her through the paces and have more to report. My first impression is I'd like to get quieter pickups in there but, I'm not sure. Need to check through my main rig first

 

[Marc61]

Anyone recommend replacement pickups for this guy?

 

[Joe Nerve]

I was gassing for one of those (in a 4 string) about a month ago. Only 2 basses not in my arsenal were a fretless electric, and a Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker won . Would love to know your thoughts on that once you start gigging with it. The fact that you already want to swap the pickups out isn't exciting me a whole lot though.

 

[jd56hawk]

Anyone recommend replacement pickups for this guy?

For $284.95?

 

[Marc61]

For $284.95?

Naw...I'll go as high as $284.35

So after running it through some paces today..........Installed the flats. It'll gig Saturday for about 4 hours with no one to back her up. So we'll see how she does there.

As far as the pickups, yea they hum. Might replace but if I can figure out another way to reduce it the stock sounds pretty good as far as tonal range for me. Thing is so light. I bet it weighs just over 8 lbs

 

[jd56hawk]

I would've recommended Fender Super 55s or Lace Sensor Man O' War pickups but they only come in 4-string versions.

 

[Marc61]

Fist gig with her today and the votes are in. 100% total awesomeness. No buzz at al from pickups (must have been my lights at home)> Just the boom I was looking for

 

[bholder]

Fist gig with her today and the votes are in. 100% total awesomeness. No buzz at al from pickups (must have been my lights at home)> Just the boom I was looking for

Some shielding might help, I've also read grounding the bottom side of the J poles helps (but may affect tone).

 

[Marc61]

Some shielding might help, I've also read grounding the bottom side of the J poles helps (but may affect tone).

Naw, not gonna touch her in any way (except to rock n roll with her). She's perfect

 

[Watchootognbout]

Something about the style of this brand is slowly pulling me in.........

 

[Marc61]

Just a little update - I had all these plans to upgrade the pickups, the hardware etc. Really the only issue was the first "fret"buzzed. A couple of turns to the right (rod works actually the reverse of what you'd think)with the truss rod, raised the saddles a little and the bass is now amazing. No way I change anything because I'm concerned it'll change the tone. Now I get compliments n the look and sound at every show.