Need Help With My Olp!!!

[mesavox]

Hey lets not run off our cousins that own an olp. Those OLP royalties help fund this baby. There were seeveral reasons why we did the OLP thing the first is we were being ripped off right and left by weasels. So we decided to develop a strategy that enabled us to participate in the price point but stay focused on making USA guitars and basses. One of the biggest reasons was to give people the opportunity to play their way to an original.

Question...How many reading this first bought an olp?
how many have or have owned an olp?

SOme of the specialty guitars like the double neck and the baritone are really kind of fun especially when the usa baritone is a little expensive for how often you would use it but is great to own.

I'm a fairly big fan of the OLPs because of just that.... I just know that when someone says it plays just like an Axis they have some sort of memory block of how they felt compared to each other. That OLP baritone has come in more than handy for us but it still needs a pickup upgrade pretty bad, and needs the bridge replaced with.... well, I don't know. I wish I could find a hardtail MM bridge somewhere from a otherwise dead MM guitar. But, I'm sure we'll find something that will work.

The thing I was most impressed with in the OLP bari was it's very light weight. Usually liscenced and lower end guitars are considerably heavier and this one wasn't. China is not known for poor workmanship like some of the other places low end models are made. I've found the OLPs to be on par with the 4-500 dollar range Ibanez Korean guitars which are obviously a bit more expensive on average so more kudos to OLP for that.

All the same, I think it's fair to MM to note that putting my JPM7 next to the OLP and there is no comparison in fit, finish, playability, sound, etc. But, there isn't any comparison next to a lot of guitars I've set it next to either.

 

[mhorse]

That OLP baritone has come in more than handy for us but it still needs a pickup upgrade pretty bad, and needs the bridge replaced with.... well, I don't know. I wish I could find a hardtail MM bridge somewhere from a otherwise dead MM guitar. But, I'm sure we'll find something that will work.

Do you think this would work? http://www.hipshotproducts.com/fixedbridges.htm
I'm thinking of getting the baritone, and I'm also concerned with the hardware on it.

 

[peterd79]

thanks for that link...
I noticed the tremsetter... do any of you use this with a floyd trem? or do you know anyone who uses it? I noticed last night that when i'd use the trem i'd be slightly out of tune and i was able to pop it back in my pulling up on the bar... trying to get my as cool as i can.

 

[mesavox]

Do they make that in piezo... well, I mean... it seems by the web page they don't... is it convertable to piezo?

I think Raymond's been looking at the Fishman power fixed bridge.

I'm thinking lespaulreed (Jay) probably has done some research on this so I'll probably be talking to him about it next time I've over. The Hipshot bridge does look nice though doesn't it.

 

[Snake]

thanks for that link...
I noticed the tremsetter... do any of you use this with a floyd trem? or do you know anyone who uses it? I noticed last night that when i'd use the trem i'd be slightly out of tune and i was able to pop it back in my pulling up on the bar... trying to get my as cool as i can.

I've used tremsetters with Floyds. They do help stability, but the feel is heavier with the tremsetter on. If your Floyd isn't staying in tune well, then a tremsetter MAY help. Then again it may not. The cheaper Floyds have softer metals on the pivot points. Once they develop irregularities or burs on the edges, tuning stability flies out the window. You'll develop those burs with about 12 months of normal use on a Floyd knockoff. That brings us back to the original argument. I think the Forum members up here were gently attempting to inform you that by the time you upgrade the OLP, you could have owned the real thing.

Do the math:

OLP: $200
Real Floyd: $150
Floyd Routing: $150
Real Dimarzios: $130
Nice tuners: $65
New Pots, switches, and wiring: $50

Total: $745 (and this doesn't even cover neck and frets)

Why do this when you can get a mint Axis on ebay for $800-$900? The Axis will have a REAL maple cap, not some photo-finish, and a neck to die for. Plus when you sell it you won't lose your money. Try to sell that upgraded OLP, and you'll lose your a$$.

 

[peterd79]

I will not be addressing the OLP issue any more. I am very pleased with my purchase and will not try to convince anyone other wise.
Mine has a real maple cap and I am very pleased with the set-up...
it might not be an EBMM but i am still pleased with it!

If it feels good and stays in tune and I like the neck... i'll play it! brand doesn't matter!

 

[mhorse]

Do they make that in piezo... well, I mean... it seems by the web page they don't... is it convertable to piezo?

I think Raymond's been looking at the Fishman power fixed bridge.

I'm thinking lespaulreed (Jay) probably has done some research on this so I'll probably be talking to him about it next time I've over. The Hipshot bridge does look nice though doesn't it.

They don't, but there's Fishman Powerbridge that you mentioned, and also RMC Powerbridge http://www.rmcpickup.com/powrbridgest.html

 

[koogie2k]

There is nothing wrong with owning an OLP. I just differ in the comparison to an original EBMM. I owned one myself...till the airlines decided to run over it and what not.....

Praise the OLP all you want. That was not the issue. I have seen some dudes rip on totally garbage guitars. Not saying the OLP is garbage.....good for the price and gives you an "idea" of what a real EBMM is all about.

I have said it before, if you like it....that is all that matters.

 

[mhorse]

Do they make that in piezo... well, I mean... it seems by the web page they don't... is it convertable to piezo?

I think Raymond's been looking at the Fishman power fixed bridge.

I'm thinking lespaulreed (Jay) probably has done some research on this so I'll probably be talking to him about it next time I've over. The Hipshot bridge does look nice though doesn't it.

After further research it seems like you have to have a Tele bridge pickup with Fishman Powerbridge - they don't make MM-style fixed bridges.
So Hipshot seems like the only option if you want to replace the entire bridge, although I think I have seen fender replacement bridges for sale somewhere.
HOWEVER, the RMC Pow'r Bridge ST (yes with ') is a set drop-in replacement saddles for any strat/tele type bridge (it seems like it would work Hipshot as well), so you should be able to drop them right into exsiting one. Do you think that would fix the problem with it or does the base plate needs to be changed too?

 

[mhorse]

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/bridges/bridges.cfm?fuseaction=vintage_strat_fixed

 

[Snake]

I will not be addressing the OLP issue any more. I am very pleased with my purchase and will not try to convince anyone other wise.
Mine has a real maple cap and I am very pleased with the set-up...
it might not be an EBMM but i am still pleased with it!

If it feels good and stays in tune and I like the neck... i'll play it! brand doesn't matter!

My bad.....didn't mean to kill your buzz dude.

In the past I went through the upgrade process on a low end Fender, and in retrospect, I wish someone had tried to talk me out of it.

 

[mesavox]

Do you think that would fix the problem with it or does the base plate needs to be changed too?

If memory serves, (It's been a few days since I've looked at it), the problem is that the high E saddle's screw hole is in the wrong place. The saddle sits like this |||||/

That's exagerated quite a bit but that seems to be the problem. I don't know if a replacement OLP bridge would do the trick or not(I would think that any bridges made that day off that die or whatever would all be that way) but he wants to go Piezo at some point anyway and I think that's why he hasn't messed with it thus far.

 

[mhorse]

If memory serves, (It's been a few days since I've looked at it), the problem is that the high E saddle's screw hole is in the wrong place. The saddle sits like this |||||/

That's exagerated quite a bit but that seems to be the problem. I don't know if a replacement OLP bridge would do the trick or not(I would think that any bridges made that day off that die or whatever would all be that way) but he wants to go Piezo at some point anyway and I think that's why he hasn't messed with it thus far.

Oh so baseplate has to go as well... Here are some more findings:
Bridges
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges.html
http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=402&cat_name=FOR NON-TREMOLO GUITARS
These guys have interesting Schaller and ABM piezo-equipped bridges, but both are not string-through-body type.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electro...raph_Tech_Ghost_Pickup_System_for_Guitar.html
This is more affordable alternative to RMC retrofit saddles

 

[peterd79]

My bad.....didn't mean to kill your buzz dude.

In the past I went through the upgrade process on a low end Fender, and in retrospect, I wish someone had tried to talk me out of it.

I started to do that with an older "COUGH" Peavey "cough" "Cough" and realized that it was a piece of junk to begin with... and if I upgraded it then it just be a real expensive piece of junk! I spent no extra time or money on it! THANK GOD!

In the future I would most certainly upgrade my OLP as needed...
I have an ESP Eclipse that have upgraded some parts... like my volume and tone pots... ($1.75 each) and then my bridge and saddle I swaped out for a Tone Pro's (FREEBIE) and the pick ups are stock but running through my Line 6 it sounds really good.

But thanks for looking out for me...

 

[mesavox]

I will not be addressing the OLP issue any more. I am very pleased with my purchase and will not try to convince anyone other wise.
Mine has a real maple cap and I am very pleased with the set-up...
it might not be an EBMM but i am still pleased with it!

If it feels good and stays in tune and I like the neck... i'll play it! brand doesn't matter!

You have the NAMM guitar then...? They brought a floyd equipped axis with a real maple cap to NAMM... in January I guess? I forget, but if that's the one you have, you have a pretty rare item there.

 

[Snake]

You have the NAMM guitar then...? They brought a floyd equipped axis with a real maple cap to NAMM... in January I guess? I forget, but if that's the one you have, you have a pretty rare item there.

Woohoo! NAMM guitar!

 

[peterd79]

I've talked to OLP and that's what i've got! and it was done it really nice for the NAMM SHOW!... Maybe that's why mine feels so great!

 

[peterd79]

This is the OLP that I have... I know it's not an EBMM but it looks really good!

 

[mhorse]

That does look pretty cool. And it looks nothing like OLP you can by at any GC. I don't think they ever offered flamed look.

 

[peterd79]

yeah.. i'm very please with this and my LINE 6... it sounds so sweet! THe neck is faster than anything i've ever played! If this is a cousin... then the real deal must be amazing... and that would explain why everyone here has at least 10 of 'em. I'm joing the club!