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Club Italia!

#43
Well Charlie I guess that makes you Club Italia member #7 and 8!

Maybe you're right about the tailpieces, but I think MF just has old photos. When I got my Maranello a couple years ago, I looked for one with a tailpiece but couldn't find one. And the ones on the MF site had tailpieces then too.
 
#45
I am interested in unloading my Italia Maranello Z bass in Silver Sparkle. I got it last November and played it for about a month. I currently have it on consignment at a local shop but I need to get it and some other items gone ASAP. It sounds pretty good with the D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds on it! I have it listed classified here from about 3 months ago.

ITALIAcollage.jpg
 
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#46
Hello!! I picked up an Italia Maranello this weekend for my daughter. I was wondering other than adjusting the truss rod and dropping the bridge, are there any other things I can do to get the action a bit lower? The first two have been done and while it plays good it could play better. These are really cool basses and for $280 with hard case, strap locks and strap I think it was a pretty good deal. Thanks!!
 
#52
Hi Guys, Just got myself an Italia Mondial Classic in sky blue, great bass great sound. Only down side looks like someone has done a repair on the neck, looks like the fret board had lifted and they have glued it back down, though the action does not seem affected. May replace the neck in future if I can get one, (does anyone know if parts are available?).
 
#54
Not being able to find a local dealer I was about to place an order for a black Torino when I walked into a Sam Ash store and by chance there was a used one on the wall for $299. The only short-scale in the Italia line. Rather unique for a short-scale with the large body and nearly the length of a long-scale Bass. Takes long-scale strings. Gibson-like pick-ups. I am an Italia fan and hope to get a Rimini next.
 
#55
imdkoz said:
It's more toward the bridge side of things. Don't really want to take the bridge apart and file the saddles. Might do a neck shim and see how that works.
Click to expand...

I got a blue sparkle Maranello from a fellow TBer several weeks ago. I had the same issue with it. Worst bridge workmanship I've ever seen. It's a little quirky to adjust, but when I figured it out, it was still way too high. So apart it came. I realized too late that there is the smallest little lock type washer attached to the end of the intonation screw that butts up against the bracket to keep the screw still while the saddle is being adjusted, and lost one of them. Fortunately, I was able to locate some in a local fastener place. So with those back in order, I addressed the rest of the bridge. First, the saddles were overall different shapes and sizes and didn't want to move freely back and forth. I flat blade filed those to the shape and size that they should be. I then took a small round fine file and did the saddle cradles to get the desired depth. Remember that at this point, the bridge has all of its upward adjustment still available, so if you happen to over file the depth, the bridge can be raised in compensation. There were also two flat washers under the bridge at the adjustment screws, so those were removed too. So after reshaping the bridge and saddles, put new strings on it and it's now perfect for my low action needs. If you can get by with doing just the saddle depth, you won't have to worry about those tiny washers on the intonation screws. But if you need to reshape the entire saddle body like I did - well - just be real careful to not lose them. There also a bit hard to put back on the screw. Take your time and hopefully, it will work out like mine and put a smile on your face. ;)
 
#56
Oren Hudson said:
I got a blue sparkle Maranello from a fellow TBer several weeks ago. I had the same issue with it. Worst bridge workmanship I've ever seen. It's a little quirky to adjust, but when I figured it out, it was still way too high. So apart it came. I realized too late that there is the smallest little lock type washer attached to the end of the intonation screw that butts up against the bracket to keep the screw still while the saddle is being adjusted, and lost one of them. Fortunately, I was able to locate some in a local fastener place. So with those back in order, I addressed the rest of the bridge. First, the saddles were overall different shapes and sizes and didn't want to move freely back and forth. I flat blade filed those to the shape and size that they should be. I then took a small round fine file and did the saddle cradles to get the desired depth. Remember that at this point, the bridge has all of its upward adjustment still available, so if you happen to over file the depth, the bridge can be raised in compensation. There were also two flat washers under the bridge at the adjustment screws, so those were removed too. So after reshaping the bridge and saddles, put new strings on it and it's now perfect for my low action needs. If you can get by with doing just the saddle depth, you won't have to worry about those tiny washers on the intonation screws. But if you need to reshape the entire saddle body like I did - well - just be real careful to not lose them. There also a bit hard to put back on the screw. Take your time and hopefully, it will work out like mine and put a smile on your face. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Oren! Great write up and most likely what I'll have to do. This is my daughters bass and she's doing ok learning on it at this point.
 
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