Question OLP Basses

[Powman]

I am thinking of picking up a used OLP bass that looks just like a Sting Ray. Price is quite good.

I want it as a "cottage" bass. I was playing a charity gig on the weekend and it started to rain. We were under a covered structure, but still some rain swirled onto my Big Al . So I started to look into a used low cost bass that won't make me cringe if something happened to it.

What do you folks know about these OLP basses?

 

[fly]

i don't have an OLP bass but i do have an OLP Axis guitar.........dude.....it's actually a sweet instrument,stays in tune plays smooth....i'd say go for it

 

[Golem]

`

Uh huh .... SUB .... the Sport Utility Bass.

Maybe it shoulda been call he ATB. Anywho,
a really cool choice for a great MM bass thaz
unafeared of a little rain, altho YOU otta be
afeared unless you're playing wireless [and
don't touch your amp].

 

[rutgart]

I'm love my Sterling By Music Man Ray34 (which has had an Ebony Fingerboard put on it buy a luthier friend). It great before the new F/board but I once played a SR4 in the UK that had an Ebony Board and have wanted one ever since and the Ray34's just great Value and are Inspected and Setup in the US.

 

[Grga]

I'd save the bucks for a real MM - the OLPs which I had in my hands were good instruments for the money but for my ears there is a big difference.. also the building quality is not as good as MM.

 

[Powman]

I'd save the bucks for a real MM - the OLPs which I had in my hands were good instruments for the money but for my ears there is a big difference.. also the building quality is not as good as MM.

True, true. This is why I have 2 MM basses...a Bongo and a Big Al. But when rain starts swirling around my expensive Big Al, I get nervous and cranky. 2 people were offering to sell OLP Stingrays for a ridiculously cheap price.

 

[MadMatt]

2 people were offering to sell OLP Stingrays for a ridiculously cheap price.

Than I think you know what you need to do

I played an OLP once and it did not feel to bad. The sound was better that the bass I had at the time (this is what actually lead me to EBMM). For a "rain bass" there good enough and if the price is right go for it.

-M@

 

[Grga]

I'd think that rain would damage an OLP more than a MM

SCNR

 

[Golem]

True, true. This is why I have 2 MM basses...a Bongo and a Big Al.
But when rain starts swirling around my expensive Big Al, I get
nervous and cranky. 2 people were offering to sell OLP Stingrays
for a ridiculously cheap price.

Not so ridiculous, really, and I don't even know the prices.
Prolly very realistic prices. Pampering a MM bass is kinda
contrary to some of the reason for choosing MM. I read a
review of the StingRay that said [nearly verbatim]:

I hit some rowdy drunken stage barnacle in the ribs with
it. He was coughing up blood but my bass was still in tune.


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Consider this: OLP charges very little, and tries to offer you
more or less that which you've paid for ... not shorting you,
considering the price. But a big part of what they deliver is
'desirable' cosmetics. If you insist on a cheap ax for rainy
gigs, there are a number of basses out there that lack the
"MM Clone" look, but still follow the basic StingRay design
premise ... the large-pole humbugger near the bridge, the
beefy neck, plus active EQ. My fave is the Ibnez ATK. My
ancient Korean ATK300 is a respectable adopted member
of my clan of the MM tribe. It earns its place. Whether the
current Chinese ATK is its equal is not for me to say, but I
know that Korean ATKs turn up for a few hunnert dinero.
The don't tend to turn up for a buck and quarter cuz they
are good enuf to sell for a few hunnert.

 

[fly]

i love reading your posts Golem.........hell if i know why but...damn fine reading.


and i don't think i'd us an SUB for the rain gigs......they are actually killer basses.

 

[Powman]

Thanks for the post Golem, interesting.

I am still wondering...is the OLP "stingray" a POS to be avoided, are am I looking at a very good deal?

 

[five7]

pos

 

[Holdsg]

I would buy a SBMM or SUB long before I would look at an OLP. Just not the same zip code of quality.

 

[Powman]

Ok, thanks for the advice kids.

I sent a message to the 2 people selling their OLP basses on craigslist, but neither have responded. Maybe thats also a sign that I should pass on this one.

 

[Golem]

Thanks for the post Golem, interesting.

I am still wondering...is the OLP "stingray" a POS to be avoided,
are am I looking at a very good deal?

"ridiculously low" price equals "realistic price" [hint hint] ....