Question OLP Replacement Brand & Bargains?

[Huskerbay]

OLP (Officially Licensed Products) was a line of overseas-made Music Man clones, authorized by Ernie Ball. The OLP brand was discontinued in late 2008, apparently due to inconsistent quality.

Q1) Is a new, value-priced brand licensed by Ernie Ball "coming soon?"

Q2) Since the OLP brand had been around for years, I'd assume at least some of their products were a good value for the money. Are there certain OLP models or years to look for when bargain hunting entry-level guitars/basses?

 

[patpark]

Sterling by Music Man was introduced in January 2009 at the Winter NAMM show. It's a mid range priced line so it's a bit more than the OLP's. Click the link in my signature and you can see the models.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The Sterling by MusicMan is the new product line. They are much better quality than the OLP instruments, and they are also set up here in the USA!

Sterling by MUSIC MAN

 

[Huskerbay]

Thanks for the info on Sterling everyone!

I'm new to the EB/MM forum, but not new to Music Man. I bought a used P-90 Axis Super Sport about 4 years ago.

Ernie Ball should have purchased the former URL; Welcome to OLP Guitars. There is nothing on the OLP site indicating that "Sterling by Music Man" even exists.

I love my MM Axis P-90, but considered OLPs for lower-priced "occasional" instruments. I can't justify spending $1,000+ for instruments I would only play "occasionally," such as:
a) 12-string electric
b) bass
c) baritone

I'm not sure if OLP ever made a baritone, but they made a 12-string and even a double-neck 6+12. Maybe Sterling will make a 12-string later on.

There are several great independent guitar stores in my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska - but the nearest Sterling retailer is Guitar Center about an hour away in Lincoln. I'll check out Sterling next time I visit Lincoln.

 

[azazael]

Thanks for the info on Sterling everyone!

I'm new to the EB/MM forum, but not new to Music Man. I bought a used P-90 Axis Super Sport about 4 years ago.

Ernie Ball should have purchased the former URL; Welcome to OLP Guitars. There is nothing on the OLP site indicating that "Sterling by Music Man" even exists.

I love my MM Axis P-90, but considered OLPs for lower-priced "occasional" instruments. I can't justify spending $1,000+ for instruments I would only play "occasionally," such as:
a) 12-string electric
b) bass
c) baritone

I'm not sure if OLP ever made a baritone, but they made a 12-string and even a double-neck 6+12. Maybe Sterling will make a 12-string later on.

There are several great independent guitar stores in my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska - but the nearest Sterling retailer is Guitar Center about an hour away in Lincoln. I'll check out Sterling next time I visit Lincoln.

Dude, OLP are an independent company, they have nothing to do with EBMM anymore and vice versa. Why would BP try to purchase their website url? and why would OLP advertise another make of guitar on their website?

I never played an OLP I liked and the people who upgrade them are just wasting their money. You can put new shoes on a dead horse but it still aint going anywhere.

 

[zombi]

I've had several olp's just to mess around with. A benji, a jp, and a couple mm1's. I was using them as paint projects and such to the point I would never desicrate an ebmm. The mm1's weren't ba, they actually played decently. The pet's setup was something horrible and the benji's finish wasn't too strong. That said, the sterlings are nice, and probably the only thing on that range you will find with upgraded amenities such as the locking tuners. Great value for the money and Pat is rad too!

 

[Huskerbay]

Zombi:
Thanks for your comments on the OLPs. My Axis P-90 has a honeyburst finish. Has the "autumn redburst" finish used on your MMs been retired for a while?

 

[Huskerbay]

Azazael:

OLP no longer exists. Their website <www.olpguitars.com> only provides a link to Hanser, their former distributor.

The OLP "target market" (people who want a Music Man, but don't have the money yet) still exists, though. It's not that unusual for marketers to purchase URLs of defunct competitors, and re-direct them to their website - especially if they are trying to reach a similar audience.

 

[patpark]

just to be clear: OLP has no relation to the current Sterling by Music Man line. 2 different companies.

If you have specific questions about our line, you can send me a Private message thru the forum or email me at patpark AT praxismusical DOT com

I'll be happy to answer any questions about the products we produce.

Thanks
Pat Park

 

[azazael]

Azazael:

OLP no longer exists. Their website <www.olpguitars.com> only provides a link to Hanser, their former distributor.

The OLP "target market" (people who want a Music Man, but don't have the money yet) still exists, though. It's not that unusual for marketers to purchase URLs of defunct competitors, and re-direct them to their website - especially if they are trying to reach a similar audience.

You sure about that?
Last time I checked they were selling other types of guitars - non musicman licensed.

 

[zombi]

Zombi:
Thanks for your comments on the OLPs. My Axis P-90 has a honeyburst finish. Has the "autumn redburst" finish used on your MMs been retired for a while?

Since about 2002 I believe. Maybe early 2003. I think the last time the color was sprayed was a morse? Someone on the forums has it.

 

[Huskerbay]

Azazael:

There certainly could be many "new" unsold OLP guitars still out there, but it sounds like they're no longer making them any more. Here's what the old OLP Guitars website says:

"Thank you for all the years of support. The OLP brand has been retired, starting in 2009." - Hanser Music (Distributor)

This licensing situation sounds a bit like Vox in the 1960's. The Beatles popularized Vox amps and to meet the sudden demand in the U.S., Vox's British HQ licensed Thomas Organ Company to build Vox amps in California. Thomas Organ not only built Vox amps, they designed the U.S. ones. Apparently many of the Thomas Organ amp designs were solid-state and some unfortunately not up to Vox standards.

Sterling seems to be aiming for the "middle market" which is somewhere well above "entry level" - where OLP was focused.

It also sounds like Sterling wants to distance themselves as much as possible from OLP and establish their own separate identity. My initial thinking of Sterling as an "OLP Replacement" doesn't give Sterling enough credit for their high quality standards.

I've read a few reviews from the Guitar Center website and "Sterling by Music Man" customers were very postive and pleasantly surprised by the high quality.

 

[patpark]

not trying to distance ourselves from anything. Just wanted to clear up any confusion regarding the 2 brands. OLP was a great line for what it was.

We're doing our own thing, that's all. Nothing more to read into it. But then again this is the internet and I'm sure lots of people will find something to talk about.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Inconsistant is how I'd describe OLP. Not the kind of guitar you could just order and know what you'd get. I had an OLP Benji that played well enough for the $100 I spent for it. It helped me learn what to look for in a guitar. I sold it for what I paid to an office mate who only plays occationally. Some play like $400 guitars and some play like you want to throw them out a window immediately.

 

[bugbus]

I just realized that the bass I use for recording is an OLP!

What a great deal it was brand new for around $100.

 

[Huskerbay]

Thanks for your OLP comments everyone. Great to hear about the exciting, new Sterling line-up.

Back to the "bargain" part of my subject line. When a product line goes away (like OLP), I sometimes wonder if I'll regret not buying one; "back when they were still cheap."

For example, the Squier '51 guitar (discontinued by Fender in 2006) has picked up a lot of fans lately and appreciated in price. The '51s have almost become a "cult classic" due to their versatility, surprisingly good quality and affordability for modifying.

OLPs offer a reasonable price/value combo in entry-level guitars and the word "bargain" certainly applies. I was hoping there was a "cult classic" hidden in the OLP line - with an upside potential like the Squier '51. If there is an OLP like that, I've missed it.

Sounds to me like a Sterling is a much better bet to appreciate in value and reputation as time goes on.

 

[jamminjim]

Husker - best advice anyone can give you. Forget the OLPs man. Do check out the Sterlings.

 

[redeleon]

Husker - best advice anyone can give you. Forget the OLPs man. Do check out the Sterlings.

word.

 

[ferdnburn]

i own an olp mm axis with rockfields and floyd rose and i like it! plays great and looks great too. dont know what the snobbery is about mm against olp , but i think i,ll join another website to get my questions answered! thanks!

 

[DrKev]

Welcome to the forum, ferdnburn!

True, SOME people around here won't recommend OLP. Why? Because, the Sterling line is regarded as better quality at a similar price than even the good OLPs were. The earlier OLPs were indeed very good, but they could not maintain the quality and EBMM withdrew the license to produce the guitars.

But the only thing that counts is that you like your OLP. If you're happy, we're happy too!