OLP Body

[adoptedbassist]

Hy there. I am new to the forum - I just bought my first Ernie Ball product: a SUB5. My previous drummer had been suggesting a Stingray for years so I thought I would start with an affordable SUB5. I have read only good things about the SUB basses and that the main difference between the base Stingray model is the finish, an uncontoured body and pickguard (missing anything?). My question for anyone here is:
Will an OLP Stingray 5 body accomodate the SUB 5 neck? I do not want to alter the SUB body in any way but would like to try a contoured body similiar in spec to the Ray. If I like the bass feel, sound I would consider purchasing a StingRay 5. I currently use US made Peavey Cirrus basses and they are excellent but for a change of sound/style the Musicman basses seem a logical choice and they look great too!

[adoptedbassist]

Anyone know if the OLP Stingray 5 body will fit my SUB 5? The auction is over in an hour...

[koogie2k]

Sorry bro...I have no answer.

[bovinehost]

Will an OLP Stingray 5 body accomodate the SUB 5 neck?

I don't know, but I really seriously doubt it. It's highly unlikely given that they were manufactured in different countries by different factories and are basically not much alike anyway.

The SUB's a much better bass than any OLP, in any case.

[Davecg2]

Hy there. I am new to the forum - I just bought my first Ernie Ball product: a SUB5. My previous drummer had been suggesting a Stingray for years so I thought I would start with an affordable SUB5. I have read only good things about the SUB basses and that the main difference between the base Stingray model is the finish, an uncontoured body and pickguard (missing anything?). My question for anyone here is:
Will an OLP Stingray 5 body accomodate the SUB 5 neck? I do not want to alter the SUB body in any way but would like to try a contoured body similiar in spec to the Ray. If I like the bass feel, sound I would consider purchasing a StingRay 5. I currently use US made Peavey Cirrus basses and they are excellent but for a change of sound/style the Musicman basses seem a logical choice and they look great too!

I dont know if the neck would fit, but im also not sure what you would accomplish. if it does work youll have the feel of a contoured body, but the sound of an OLP. Adding a SUB5 Neck to an OLP body wouldnt really make the OLP any more Music Man sounding. If you have access to the OLP 5 then you can get a rough feel for what a EBMM 5 would be like even with the OLP neck on it, and no mixing of the two will really give any closer of an EBMM sound. Im sure its not the answer your wanting, but if your considering getting a EBMM SR 5, Id say your time will be much better spent going to a GC or something and trying out the real deal, the only way you can get a feel for a Music Man instrument is by playing a Music Man instrument (and i totally dont mean that sarcastically or condescendingly. I own an OLP MM22, and I may have gotten lucky, but its an awesome bass. sounds great, looks great, feels great. But it still doesn't compare my Sterling or any EBMM Stingrays Ive had an opportunity to play, you really have to try the real McCoy to know what playing one is like). I would suggest trying the SUB5 as is for a while and if you dig the tone, like the look and are ok with the feel. then get the real deal, itll only sound better, look better and feel better. and def go out and try a real EBMM Stringray 5 if you can.

[five7]

I have owned 2 olp 5 string basses. The necks were the nicest part of them. They were both neck heavy and sounded like crap. I have also owned 2 sub 5s and really there is no comparison. The subs both had killer necks and a killer sound. Do not put a sub neck on an olp! Big waste of time!!

[adoptedbassist]

Thanks for the info! I will take the advice. I was thinking for the price of the OLP (cheap auction) I could do a swap BUT sounds like a bad idea so I will scrap that one. I will be receiving my 'newsd' SUB5 today (coming from California to my place in Kanata, ON. Canada - long trip!). I am looking forward to it. If I like the bass I was considering having the body sculptured but I may be better keeping as is to retain its value and just spend the grand on a Sterling or Stingray (used). I like to play up to the 24th fret on my Cirrus bass but mainly for my own 'jamming'. In my band I only go up to that area on one song. The MM should be great on everything else - I just hope I like the feel/sound cause I love the looks AND it looks like a 'rock' bass. For our sound I look for a 'phat' full bottom end with good tone and have achieved this easily with the USA Cirrus basses (owned 3 - great basses).

[five7]

You are going to love it!

[bassmonkeee]

For the price of an OLP body, and a SUB5, you are almost at the pricepoint of the new Sterling by Musicman basses. All of the ones I've played have been great.

[the unrepentant]

it MAY fit, but not properly at any rate. I have an OLP 4 string neck on a SUB bass body and it kind of fits, but it's not great.

[Ben Esparza]

If you want a different finish and contours, save your pennies and take it, send it to a reputable repairman for the body contour work and a new finish. It won't make it any less of an EBMM SUB5 and the change may be to your satisfaction.

[adoptedbassist]

If you want a different finish and contours, save your pennies and take it, send it to a reputable repairman for the body contour work and a new finish. It won't make it any less of an EBMM SUB5 and the change may be to your satisfaction.

I just got (like minutes ago here at work). It is in good shape with some scuffs and light dings on the neck. The body is thinner than I expected and the finish is not as 'rough' as I thought it would be - I may not need or want to have it sulptured/refinished. So far I like it but I have not plugged it in or done my own setup (new strings) yet. Its a looker for sure BUT I've got to get rid of the aluminum pick guard! Yuck! Anyone have a black SUB5 pickguard they want to sell me lol?
I will get a better idea on how it plays/sounds later tonight after I get it home, clean it up and put my new LaBella Slappers on it - so far so good.

Cheers from Canada eh!

[five7]

Well?

[adoptedbassist]

Well?

Well, it wasn't as advertised. I like the bass and think I will become a Musicman bass fan BUT the bass I just got is not active as advertised. I did not realise this right away because of the 3 control knobs - I figured it was an earlier model and the battery must be in the control cavity or maybe under the pickguard - I did not know as this is my first Musicman bass. I just wrote a new thread: Passive vs Active SUB 5 bass. I am not happy about this as I prefer active basses. The seller made an error and I jumped to add pos feedback just based on how the bass looked (condition/neck). So, as I wait for a response from the seller I put out a thread. I am not sure whether to clean it up, new strings and sell it then buy a Stingray or Sterling...maybe that is my best bet.

[five7]

Bummer! The two I owned were both active and they thumped as good as my stingrays.