Italia Modena?

Surfabilly

Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
7 Contributor Pins

Posted on May 08 2006 09:51 AM

Would an Italia Modena be a suitable substitute for the Fender Jazzmaster? If so, should I go with a Modena Classic or a Modena Standard?

Matt in Indiana

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butchdelux

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 250
Port Fierce, Florida
2 News Pins

Posted on May 08 2006 10:08 AM

I have played a Modena Classic. I will say it's alot more guitar than I expected. It was comfortable to play, the trem stayed in tune better than I expected it to...the pickups sounded pretty decent, although they are humbuckers (to my ears, hb's sound muddy for a trad surf sound, but if you're going for a more garagey or fuzzed out tone, they may work for you). Again, alot better guitar than I expected it to be. I can't say, however, that they warrant the near $500 that they're fetching new.

That said - only a Jazzmaster is a Jazzmaster, I don't think there is a such a thing as a "substitute" per se. The only thing that the Italia has in common with the JM, loosely speaking, is the body shape. Otherwise it's a whole other animal. For the same price, I'd say do some eBay shopping and pick up a CIJ/MIJ Jazzmaster. You won't be disappointed.

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The Disasternauts

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Surfabilly

Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
7 Contributor Pins

Posted on May 08 2006 10:44 AM

Next month, I go "play Army" for 2 weeks...could it be possible that "Uncle Sam is gonna buy me a Fender Jazzmaster?" Well, of course not...but at least after 2 weeks of training with my Army National Guard unit, I will have earned it. Somewhere along the line, I'll get me a Jaguar Bass in Hot Rod Red w/matching headstock...something that'll be a cool match for my Fender So-Cal Speed Shop Strat.

And to think I was gonna settle for something less than a Fender Jazzmaster! The body of my Ibanez Jet King is shaped like a Jazzmaster, as well, but I bought that one for a different reason than for surf guitar music. I did put a Fender Jazzmaster in my Musician's Friend wish list, although when I actually do have my 2 weeks of active duty pay in the bank, I may very well slide up to Guitar Center in Indy, rather than do mail-order for the Jazzmaster.

Matt in Indiana

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MikeyK

Joined: Feb 27, 2007
Posts: 18

Posted on Mar 01 2007 08:04 AM

Surfabilly
Would an Italia Modena be a suitable substitute for the Fender Jazzmaster? If so, should I go with a Modena Classic or a Modena Standard?

Matt in Indiana

I dunno if it's a substitute, but it is a very fun and versatile guitar! IMO, the Italia has a better tremelo and has more tonal possibilities. I have but one complaint with mine, and that's that the pickguard is a little flimsy. I mean, you have something the size of Rhode Island there, with 3 mini hums hanging off of it. It tends to flex a little. I'll be getting one custom routed out of much thicker material for mine.

I'd go with the classic.

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badash

Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732

Posted on Mar 01 2007 02:38 PM

Italias are fun! As has been said, there isn't a jazzmaster substitute, and there REALLY isn't a jag substitute! But that doesn't mean you can't play exactly what you want and sound great on one. I had the hollow Mondial for awhile and loved it, and have test driven the entire range extensively. I would heartily recommend the Mondial for anyone looking for a resoglass "airline" type guitar. And the piezo in it will blow your mind! Fun company not afraid to be unique.

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Surfabilly

Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
7 Contributor Pins

Posted on Mar 01 2007 07:16 PM

At this point, I don't really need (want) much else except for a lap steel, and electric 12-string. Now that I'm in my own place, with recurring daily, weekly and monthly expenses, I'll get around to adding those whenever I have the chance to, but I'm not in any real big hurry. I'll have my 2 weeks of active duty coming up, late this spring, and that'll give me a good bit to work with, but I'll likely use part of that for my first all tube combo amp.

Matt

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Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

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Fripperton

Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
3 POTD Pins

Posted on Mar 01 2007 09:30 PM

BTW Just so you know, I'm an Italia dealer.

image

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There is Surf east of Sepulveda.

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MikeyK

Joined: Feb 27, 2007
Posts: 18

Posted on Mar 05 2007 01:40 PM

Fripperton
BTW Just so you know, I'm an Italia dealer.

image

Wow...I want a gold Lusso with a Wigsby...talk to me!

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Mar 05 2007 02:38 PM

Nice looking website Wave Invasion! No info about Italias there?

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Surfabilly

Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
7 Contributor Pins

Posted on Mar 05 2007 06:36 PM

Stormtiger
Nice looking website Wave Invasion! No info about Italias there?

The Italia Guitars web site would be a good place to start.

Matt

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Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Mar 05 2007 06:59 PM

I saw the Italias but I have 3 Fenders already. I may be the only one hear who doesn't another guitar! Please don't temp me.

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Fripperton

Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
3 POTD Pins

Posted on Mar 06 2007 09:56 PM

Sorry, I haven't been around enough to read the posts. If you're interested in a Gold Lusso send me a PM. My website for the guitars is www.guitarsandaudio.com

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There is Surf east of Sepulveda.

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Mar 19 2007 04:23 PM

At lunch today I went to the local music store and they have a green sparkle Italia Modena for $249. I almost walked out with it but my reason prevailed. It is very tempting because it looks so cool. It is still there if anyone is near Ventura.

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Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on May 08 2006 09:51 AM Would an Italia Modena be a suitable substitute for the Fender Jazzmaster? If so, should I go with a Modena Classic or a Modena Standard? Matt in Indiana — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
butchdelux Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 250 Port Fierce, Florida	Posted on May 08 2006 10:08 AM I have played a Modena Classic. I will say it's alot more guitar than I expected. It was comfortable to play, the trem stayed in tune better than I expected it to...the pickups sounded pretty decent, although they are humbuckers (to my ears, hb's sound muddy for a trad surf sound, but if you're going for a more garagey or fuzzed out tone, they may work for you). Again, alot better guitar than I expected it to be. I can't say, however, that they warrant the near $500 that they're fetching new. That said - only a Jazzmaster is a Jazzmaster, I don't think there is a such a thing as a "substitute" per se. The only thing that the Italia has in common with the JM, loosely speaking, is the body shape. Otherwise it's a whole other animal. For the same price, I'd say do some eBay shopping and pick up a CIJ/MIJ Jazzmaster. You won't be disappointed. — The Disasternauts Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on May 08 2006 10:44 AM Next month, I go "play Army" for 2 weeks...could it be possible that "Uncle Sam is gonna buy me a Fender Jazzmaster?" Well, of course not...but at least after 2 weeks of training with my Army National Guard unit, I will have earned it. Somewhere along the line, I'll get me a Jaguar Bass in Hot Rod Red w/matching headstock...something that'll be a cool match for my Fender So-Cal Speed Shop Strat. And to think I was gonna settle for something less than a Fender Jazzmaster! The body of my Ibanez Jet King is shaped like a Jazzmaster, as well, but I bought that one for a different reason than for surf guitar music. I did put a Fender Jazzmaster in my Musician's Friend wish list, although when I actually do have my 2 weeks of active duty pay in the bank, I may very well slide up to Guitar Center in Indy, rather than do mail-order for the Jazzmaster. Matt in Indiana — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
MikeyK Joined: Feb 27, 2007 Posts: 18	Posted on Mar 01 2007 08:04 AM Surfabilly Would an Italia Modena be a suitable substitute for the Fender Jazzmaster? If so, should I go with a Modena Classic or a Modena Standard? Matt in Indiana I dunno if it's a substitute, but it is a very fun and versatile guitar! IMO, the Italia has a better tremelo and has more tonal possibilities. I have but one complaint with mine, and that's that the pickguard is a little flimsy. I mean, you have something the size of Rhode Island there, with 3 mini hums hanging off of it. It tends to flex a little. I'll be getting one custom routed out of much thicker material for mine. I'd go with the classic. Top
badash Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 1732	Posted on Mar 01 2007 02:38 PM Italias are fun! As has been said, there isn't a jazzmaster substitute, and there REALLY isn't a jag substitute! But that doesn't mean you can't play exactly what you want and sound great on one. I had the hollow Mondial for awhile and loved it, and have test driven the entire range extensively. I would heartily recommend the Mondial for anyone looking for a resoglass "airline" type guitar. And the piezo in it will blow your mind! Fun company not afraid to be unique. Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on Mar 01 2007 07:16 PM At this point, I don't really need (want) much else except for a lap steel, and electric 12-string. Now that I'm in my own place, with recurring daily, weekly and monthly expenses, I'll get around to adding those whenever I have the chance to, but I'm not in any real big hurry. I'll have my 2 weeks of active duty coming up, late this spring, and that'll give me a good bit to work with, but I'll likely use part of that for my first all tube combo amp. Matt — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
Fripperton Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 270	Posted on Mar 01 2007 09:30 PM BTW Just so you know, I'm an Italia dealer. image — There is Surf east of Sepulveda. Top
MikeyK Joined: Feb 27, 2007 Posts: 18	Posted on Mar 05 2007 01:40 PM Fripperton BTW Just so you know, I'm an Italia dealer. image Wow...I want a gold Lusso with a Wigsby...talk to me! Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2688 Ventura, CA	Posted on Mar 05 2007 02:38 PM Nice looking website Wave Invasion! No info about Italias there? Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on Mar 05 2007 06:36 PM Stormtiger Nice looking website Wave Invasion! No info about Italias there? The Italia Guitars web site would be a good place to start. Matt — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2688 Ventura, CA	Posted on Mar 05 2007 06:59 PM I saw the Italias but I have 3 Fenders already. I may be the only one hear who doesn't another guitar! Please don't temp me. Top
Fripperton Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 270	Posted on Mar 06 2007 09:56 PM Sorry, I haven't been around enough to read the posts. If you're interested in a Gold Lusso send me a PM. My website for the guitars is www.guitarsandaudio.com — There is Surf east of Sepulveda. Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2688 Ventura, CA	Posted on Mar 19 2007 04:23 PM At lunch today I went to the local music store and they have a green sparkle Italia Modena for $249. I almost walked out with it but my reason prevailed. It is very tempting because it looks so cool. It is still there if anyone is near Ventura. Top

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Italia Modena?