Back in the '60s, a flood of budget guitars and basses from Italy and Japan inundated the market. Targeted at beginners who weren't quite ready to plunk down the coin for a Gibson or a Rickenbacker, these imports seized their all-too-brief day in the sun and made a glittery, pointy, oddly shaped statement. Now, Italia Guitars captures the groovy vibe of those '60s pawnshop prizes, but with an updated look -- and a build quality that's in an altogether different league.