Ernie Ball OLP MM1F question

[sportrider24]

Hey all, I've wanted an Music Man Axis for as long as I can remember. Unfortunatly this poor boy can't afford one. So I've decided I'm going to get an OLP MM1. I've seen many colors and variations of the MM1 but I saw one today that I've never seen before and I'm thinking about buying it (online). It is in excellent condition and I should have some better pics from the store on Monday. The salesman told me that he believes it is completely stock but all the stock MM1's I've seen have zebra humbuckers. Have any of you seen / played an MM1 like this one?? Thanks.

 

[josheyre]

Can you hold out for a SUB guitar? I have seen them for under $400 and it's the real thing. It may not look like the Axis, but it should play, and feel, lots better than the OLP. Are you not a big fan of the Silhouette form? The smile that a guitar made in S.L.O. will put on your face will trump anything else. It's enough to make your cheeks sore.

Sorry if I'm stepping on your toes. I can't pretend to know your situation. I hope you get something that makes you happy either way.

 

[sportrider24]

Thanks for the input. I really want the body shape of the axis and $400 is still over my budget (right now anyway). I was also thinking about waiting for the Sterling version to come out and see what people think of them. Not real sure but right now I'm without an electric and It's just killing me.

 

[josheyre]

I'm getting the impression that the Sterlings are going to be nicer. I'm pretty sure a few people on the boards have Sterlings on order and will get them soon. Stick around to get some feedback.

One of the Sterling guys is active on the boards too. You might be able to ask him some questions. Just look in the "announcing Sterling" thread and he has a bunch of posts in there. You can also learn a lot from just checking that thread out.

Check it out here

 

[azazael]

Get a Sterling OLP guitars were dreadful.
I hate seeing them appear on this board it makes me sick to stomach!

 

[paranoid70]

The guy I jam with has an OLP MM1. He really likes it, and it sounds pretty decent to me. However, I confess I usually play much louder. (He tells me to)

Anyway, his guitar has zebra pickups. But I am sure the one in the photo is legit.

From what I have heard and read, OLPs are rather hit or miss. I think if you pick one up and play it and it feels right - go for it. On-line, you may or may not be taking a leap of faith.

Either way, best of luck bro. Happy playin.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Sterling! That's what its for!

Take it from a guy who has been through many many guitars. It ALWAYS pays to save for the guitar you want, then settling for one right now. Always.

 

[YtseJam92]

It ALWAYS pays to save for the guitar you want, then settling for one right now. Always.

He's right on this one. I'd wait and save up a little money over a period of time and just really work at it. Good luck!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

The MM1's are very hit and miss. Do NOT buy one without playing it. Some are fine with one or 2 issues (fret height mis match is common) but some are horrible. Street price is $150.....which I think is expensive as there are some new ones banging around here and there still for $159.

I'd second the "save for a sub 1". I first bought an OLP (benji) and later found my sub 1 and sold the OLP to a co-worker who was a complete beginner who would have ended up with a Squier if I didn't sell him the benji. The sub is worlds better than any OLP. If you play the 2 back to back, you'll throw the OLP through a window.

Just because they look similar doesn't mean they ARE the same. My 2 before the benji sale:

jack

 

[sportrider24]

Thanks guys. Not sure exactly what I'll do but I think that at minimum I have to take the advice of not buying one without atleast playing it.

 

[jamminjim]

Thanks guys. Not sure exactly what I'll do but I think that at minimum I have to take the advice of not buying one without atleast playing it.

Very good decision. I had one (0lp) , and it wasn't good at all; fret issues and very poor build quality. Definitely take the sage advice and don't purchase one you can't play first. On the other hand, Sub 1's are super good guitars, well worth the money. Easy to modify to about any pickup configuration you can think of. I have one modified with a Silhouette Special loaded guard. I love it.

This might be sound bad on this forum, but I'd look at 7enders before I looked at olp. However having owned them all (like alot of forumites here) I'm sticking to EBMM guitars.

 

[OLPlayer]

I was in a similar position to yourself a few years ago and bought and OLP MM1 from Cardiff Guitars in South Wales. I went into the shop with Spud Murphy, had a try of a number of other guitars (was actually after a 2nd hand PRS) and saw the OLP MM1 hanging on the wall. Loved the shape, played it and fell in love with it. Everything about it was right. However, I agree with previous posts that you have to try one before buying. I would not recommend buying one off the web as you don't know what you are getting.

As an owner of an MIM Strat, I would say that the MM1 is a better choice.

Personally speaking, I bought an MM1 and now have an Axis SS. One definately leads to the other

 

[Spudmurphy]

Get a Sterling OLP guitars were dreadful.
!

You are sooooooo wrong on that one - how many "Axis type" OLP's have you tried?

I've set one up for my mate Olplayer (and was with him when he bought it) and it's a great guitar. I did a really mild fret dress - checked the intonation and it was "off to the races". The pickups are great too. The top sucks

I'd even go so far as to say that I'd wish he'd sell it to me.

I feel that too many people jump on the "Let's Diss OLP" bandwagon - because in my view it's a great guitar for the money - far far better than a lot of the cheap sh!t guitars on the market.

Here's a pic of it

 

[Jason2112]

You are sooooooo wrong on that one - how many "Axis type" OLP's have you tried?

Sorry Spud, but gotta agree with azazael (mostly). A few years ago I looked into the OLP Axis as a guitar to kick around. I tried 4 before settling on one, even though the "foto" flame top was the worst of the 4. Even though it played pretty well, it had no soul. New pickups, electronics, etc - nothing could liven it up so I sold it. That's not to say that all OLP's are bad, but generally speaking, I'd say those good ones are in the very small minority.

With that said, if the OLP rocks your socks, then who cares what anyone else thinks? I certainly wouldn't put anyone down for playing one, but as others have mentioned in this thread, sometimes you're better off saving for the real thing, especially if you're looking to buy online.

 

[envy-guitars]

I agree with all you guys, the OLPs are dreadful in comparison to EBMM guitars but then again what isn't at 10% of the price... On the other hand OLPs are great value and you still get the EBMM vibe but not the build quality or the playability.

I Agree with the guys that say save up and buy something better because all that will happen is you will buy the OLP and after a week or so of the 'honeymoon' period, you will end up wanting the SUB either way anyway!

Save your pennies up and buy the Sub!

 

[sportrider24]

Wow guys. Thanks for all these replys. I have to let you all know though, this is not my first guitar. Just another to add to the collection. I actually already own a MIM strat, Epi LP STD and a Yamaha acoustic. My Ibanez S series was hardly ever played so I sold it and was thinking about the MM1F because I really can't afford a MM Axis at this point. I will say though, I wouldn't think they are horrible. This is the only inexpensive guitar I've seen that either sells used for the same price or even more than original price. I don't think it would be a far stretch if I said I could probably get my money back out of it if I decided I didn't want it. Not to mention I've looked all over the internet and can't seem to find another like this one. I don't expect perfection right out of the box. My strat, epi and Ibanez all needed good set ups and were all more expensive than the OLP.

I left a message for a friend of mine who lives in Kentucky. I'm hoping he will say he lives close enough to stop by and take a look at it for me. If not, I don't think I would take the leap. That comment about uneven frets kinda scares me!!!

 

[TNT]

I might as well add my "two cents" in. Spud is right on!

I've followed OLP's since day one, because of the Axis. I LOVE the guitar.

At that "price point" (because that is a critical piece of the puzzle) it is an awesome guitar. Yes, they didn't have very close tolerance spec's from one guitar to the next, not a lot of consistency, but still for the price they were great.

I upgraded two of them from top to bottom, and they are two hot guitars.

I wouldn't suggest though doing that for everyone, because I can do all the work on my own guitars, and I spend a lot of extra time on them that a tech wouldn't.

For most I would advise to save that extra money up and put it in towards the genuine article - the Axis.

But, if I only had so much to spend - it's a no brainer!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Ha - everythings cool with me and Azazael

Sportrider said
"I really want the body shape of the axis and $400 is still over my budget"

So if the guy wants a budget guitar, a good example of an OLP would be just the ticket.

It's quite funny actually - bearing in mind that I'm on the wrong side of "middle aged" I now see examples of guitars hanging up in shops that were around in the late 60's early 70's that were cr4p!! - now fetching ridiculous sums of money (Futurama/Jedson). Who knows, let's wind on to the year 2049 and you may see an OLP Axis hanging on the wall for $2000

Anyways (OT sorry sportrider) after seeing Albert Lee on Friday I hope to post some pictures later tonight.

 

[sportrider24]

I also found an MM1 that is in really good condition, Trans purple with no floyd that I could pick up for $125. Hell, that would leave me with enough money to upgrade the pickups.

There was one for sale locally not to long ago on craigslist and the guy linked a youtube video of him playing VH Panama and it sounded amazing!!! He put some guitar fetish crunchy PAT's in it and it screamed through his Bugara.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmcshWFLi2k]YouTube - Panama, Van Halen (Cover)[/ame]

My local luthier will install pu's, set up and intonate for $70.

Guitar $125
Pu's $50
Set up $70 = $245!!!

Decisions decisions!!!

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I have heard the same things about the OLP's. They are/were good guitars for the money, but quality was a little hit and miss. Most needed a fret dress, and I've heard that some liked the Floyded model better after replacing the Licensed Floyd with an original.

For that matter, I'd give one of the Sterling By Music Man's a shot. For the amount of money you'd be spending to turn an OLP into a player, you could get the AX40.

Sterling by MUSIC MAN - GUITAR_AX40

Sterling by Music Man AX40 Electric Guitar and more Solid Body Electric Guitars at GuitarCenter.com.