Italian Basses

[Jim C]

I'm headed to Rome next week to visit family.
I just had this crazy idea that maybe there was an Italian bass that had a similar feel and sound to a P, and that I would have to have it.
At least I could try one in person.

Anybody have any first hand experience about brands and/or pricing?
Also, any suggestions of shops to check out?

 

[Wallace320]

I'm headed to Rome next week to visit family.
I just had this crazy idea that maybe there was an Italian bass that had a similar feel and sound to a P, and that I would have to have it.
At least I could try one in person.

Anybody have any first hand experience about brands and/or pricing?
Also, any suggestions of shops to check out?

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[Wallace320]

Or, stickin' to sumthin' way more classic (and passive)
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[user362432]

Just general info - most of the stuff in EU is about 30-50% more expensive than the same thing here.

 

[bholder]

Some really cool styling comes from there...

 

[EmuBass]

Don't know if these are Italian. But it looks cool: Invalid Link Removed

 

[user362432]

Don't know if these are Italian. But it looks cool: Invalid Link Removed

Korean company. It has no connection to anything Italy.

 

[EmuBass]

Very sad. But thx for the info.

 

[mr zee]

Korean company. It has no connection to anything Italy.

They look awful to me, but that's only my opinion. Never heard one so can't comment on tone etc.

 

[Jim C]

Just general info - most of the stuff in EU is about 30-50% more expensive than the same thing here.

I was afraid that this could be the case.
Any recomendations for music stores to visit?
Must be some cool Italian accessory to buy

 

[Jim C]

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Thanks for these.
I've never heard of either brand.

 

[bassliner50]

A Maserati will be pleasing and turn some heads.

 

[frankie5string]

Wasn't there a brand with a name like Galant or Galanti that made basses in Italy?

What about an old Italian Goya bass?

 

[mikewalker]

I was gonna say eko

but perhaps try your luck here instead: home - Jacaranda Guitars


(PS: one or two Italian bassmakers can be found here: Link Removed )

 

[Stuart Hmm]

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[Gougedeye]

Glenn Hughes is or used to be an endorsee of these guitars...Guitar and Basses handmade in Italy - Manne Guitars

 

[user362432]

I was gonna say eko

but perhaps try your luck here instead: home - Jacaranda Guitars


(PS: one or two Italian bassmakers can be found here: Link Removed )

Eko makes just ABG now.

 

[plong123]

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Whoa. I'm in love

 

[bbh]

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A bit alembic sounding. Very nice.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Eko makes just ABG now.

Technically, they make little nowadays (most of the production is in the Far East, bar their top-of-the-line acoustic guitars), but they do have a number of bass guitar models (acoustics, and the usual knockoff fare):
Eko Guitars | Bassi
It is true that, for some reason, only ABGs are linked to on their English language webpages:
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I'm headed to Rome next week to visit family.
I just had this crazy idea that maybe there was an Italian bass that had a similar feel and sound to a P, and that I would have to have it.
At least I could try one in person.

Anybody have any first hand experience about brands and/or pricing?
Also, any suggestions of shops to check out?

As for shops in or around the capital, paging @Pier_.

Brands, these come to mind:
The aforementioned Manne
Guitar and Basses handmade in Italy - Manne Guitars
and Meridian
http://www.meridianguitars.com/basses/
Frudua
Galeazzo Frudua | Official Website
Laurus
http://www.laurus.it/
Wood & Tronics:
http://www.wtbasses.net/modelsAndCustom.php

On the (even) more esoteric side:
Biarnel
https://www.biarnel.com/biarnel-strumenti/bassi-elettrici-biarnel/
Prometeus Guitars
http://www.prometeusguitars.com/
Page-search for "ital" in this page for more small operations:
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Will edit as soon as memory serves.