A Few OLP Questions

[funky_bass_guy]

Hey guys,
I am sorry if this is the incorrect forum to post these questions in, but seeing as OLP are licencsed by ernie ball I though this would be the place to come. If anyone can point me in a direction they feel I would get more useful replies please feel free to suggest that!

Anyway...... I have just bought an OLP copy or the SR5 and have fitted it with a Status Graphite replacement neck. I am about 90% happy with the tone, the only thing I can see that is holding it back is a little bit of what I would describe as 'brittleness' in the high end. I think this is down to the preamp in the OLP and from what I have read on Talkbass the preamp seems to be the weak link. And so I would like to ask a few questions...

1. What is the stock preamp in an OLP bass?
2. Would changing the preamp remove the 'brittleness' and improve the sound of the bass?
3. Can you recommend a suitable preamp to change to? (I am thinking Seymour Duncan MM preamp)
4. Would I also need to change the pickup?
5. If so, can you recommend a replacement pickup bearing in mind the tight string spacing on a 5 string OLP?

Many thanks in advance
Chris

 

[whamonkey]

Hey guys,
I am sorry if this is the incorrect forum to post these questions in, but seeing as OLP are licencsed by ernie ball I though this would be the place to come. If anyone can point me in a direction they feel I would get more useful replies please feel free to suggest that!

Anyway...... I have just bought an OLP copy or the SR5 and have fitted it with a Status Graphite replacement neck. I am about 90% happy with the tone, the only thing I can see that is holding it back is a little bit of what I would describe as 'brittleness' in the high end. I think this is down to the preamp in the OLP and from what I have read on Talkbass the preamp seems to be the weak link. And so I would like to ask a few questions...

1. What is the stock preamp in an OLP bass?
2. Would changing the preamp remove the 'brittleness' and improve the sound of the bass?
3. Can you recommend a suitable preamp to change to? (I am thinking Seymour Duncan MM preamp)
4. Would I also need to change the pickup?
5. If so, can you recommend a replacement pickup bearing in mind the tight string spacing on a 5 string OLP?

Many thanks in advance
Chris

I don't believe the OLP MM3 has a preamp per say...it's passive. As far as installing one, look at the Demeter BEQP-1, or the Aguilar OPB-3, both will definitely change the tone. You could also look at a Bartolini NTMB093G paired with a Bart MM pickup...there are about 8 different types based on your preferences. How much do you want to invest in the OLP? I mean, after all the replacement parts, etc., you could practically buy a nice used SR5. Add it up, new neck, new preamp..plus the cost of the OLP(add the $$ for a case/gigbag too) plus paying a luthier to do the setup...you're pushing close to $600 right? You could but a used SR for $700-$850. Just my opinion.....

 

[funky_bass_guy]

I am willing to invest about $200/300. I prefer having a unique bass to having a standard musicman. With the status neck it is allready fairly unique. Would the Bart pickup fit the OLP, it has a different pickup to the SR5 for some reason.

 

[barkatozz]

I have a 4 string OLP & kept the pickup but I installed a Bartolini pre-amp & it sounds great. I did however have to hack the control panel quite a bit with the dremel to make it all fit.

 

[whamonkey]

I have a 4 string OLP & kept the pickup but I installed a Bartolini pre-amp & it sounds great. I did however have to hack the control panel quite a bit with the dremel to make it all fit.

Never saw the inside the control cavity but Barkatozz made his fit....it can be done.

 

[funky_bass_guy]

I have a 4 string OLP & kept the pickup but I installed a Bartolini pre-amp & it sounds great. I did however have to hack the control panel quite a bit with the dremel to make it all fit.

Would you mind telling me which model of Bart preamp you installed? Would you say it improved the sound enough to warrant buying one?

Cheers
Chris

 

[barkatozz]

http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-preamps-ntmb.htm
I got the top one......2.4
I did really have to dig out the cavity to fit it + I roted out the body above the pickup to fir the battery.....good thing for the pickguard & control plate.
The pre-amp drastically changed the sound. While I won't be selling off my real EBMMs like that jacka$$ on talkbass, it does sound close to a real MM now.

 

[funky_bass_guy]

Thanks!
I know the "jacka$$" you mean! Im thinking of a preamp like that, the only problem is that I dont like concentric pots much Hmm might go for the one below that the 2.5, then that would mean an extra pot. Do you have any pics of your OLP in particular under the plate lol? I also meant to ask, how hard was the routing? I am thinking of maybe routing a battery compartment into the back because I dont want to have to take of the strings to change the battery!

Cheers
Chris

 

[barkatozz]

Thanks!
I know the "jacka$$" you mean! Im thinking of a preamp like that, the only problem is that I dont like concentric pots much Hmm might go for the one below that the 2.5, then that would mean an extra pot. Do you have any pics of your OLP in particular under the plate lol? I also meant to ask, how hard was the routing? I am thinking of maybe routing a battery compartment into the back because I dont want to have to take of the strings to change the battery!

Cheers
Chris

I only have to take the pickguard off to change the battery. The routing wasn't that difficult......just a dremel w/ a woodcutting bit.
I have no pics & kinda can't take any because I leave that bass at my practice spot & don't drive & can't carry it back & forth.

 

[whamonkey]

I only have to take the pickguard off to change the battery. The routing wasn't that difficult......just a dremel w/ a woodcutting bit.
I have no pics & kinda can't take any because I leave that bass at my practice spot & don't drive & can't carry it back & forth.

So the question is...how do you get to practice? That would suck, having to walk somewhere to pick up your bass and play. Hows about getting a gig bag?

 

[barkatozz]

So the question is...how do you get to practice? That would suck, having to walk somewhere to pick up your bass and play. Hows about getting a gig bag?

I usually ride my bike or get a ride from someone(practice is a 5 minute bike ride away) Just that when I get a ride I don't want the hassel of bringing a guitar back & forth....so I leave el cheapo bass at the practice joint. I really have no need to bring it home with me.

 

[whamonkey]

Gotcha.....but it is nice to pick it up at will without having to leave the house. Anyhow, none of my business.

 

[agplate]

Do I understand that the upcoming OLP Tony Levin Signature is going to have active electronics? This may be useful for a conversion, if you could get one or at least the guts...

 

[barkatozz]

Gotcha.....but it is nice to pick it up at will without having to leave the house. Anyhow, none of my business.

I really would have no need to pick it up if it were here because I have 2 Sterlings & 2 Stingrays to tinker with. I bought the OLP strictly for practice & to leave it there.

 

[whamonkey]

I really would have no need to pick it up if it were here because I have 2 Sterlings & 2 Stingrays to tinker with. I bought the OLP strictly for practice & to leave it there.

Everything just became clear........beautiful then.

 

[funky_bass_guy]

Do I understand that the upcoming OLP Tony Levin Signature is going to have active electronics? This may be useful for a conversion, if you could get one or at least the guts...

I have a feeling you may be right there! It would be interesting to see one, although I think I will just buy a bartollini preamp and fit that to my OLP. Any idea when the Tony Levin model is released?

 

[funky_bass_guy]

I only have to take the pickguard off to change the battery. The routing wasn't that difficult......just a dremel w/ a woodcutting bit.
I have no pics & kinda can't take any because I leave that bass at my practice spot & don't drive & can't carry it back & forth.

No worries about the pics! With the routing did the finnish crack near where you had routed? My dad thought that the finnish might crack if vibrated by the router

Cheers
Chris

 

[agplate]

Tony Levin Signature:
According to recent correspondance with OLP, they are to begin shipping around the end of April. Do you think they will be anything good?

 

[barkatozz]

No worries about the pics! With the routing did the finnish crack near where you had routed? My dad thought that the finnish might crack if vibrated by the router

Cheers
Chris

Well first of it is a natural finish. BUT....I really didn't cut much from the surface......I just made the cavity bigger on the inside. I used a little sanding bit to widen the top a little bit.

 

[funky_bass_guy]

Tony Levin Signature:
According to recent correspondance with OLP, they are to begin shipping around the end of April. Do you think they will be anything good?

From the OLPs that I have played I expect they will be pretty good if properly setup.