OPL Basses : yes or no ?!

[wahit]

Hey guys !

I saw a OPL MusicMan bass. It costed like $200-$250 new!! As some of you know this is a Stingray copy!!

Then i went to Harmony Central to read some reviews and everybody, i say EVERYBODY said that the bass was awsome and had a great sound and it was easy to play. Not bad for a $250 bass...

My idea is to buy this bass and had to him a new bridge (ernie ball original) and a new pickup + preamp.

What do you thinK? Do you think it worths it?

I need a relatively cheap bass for me to play in gigs, because my bass is too expensive (with the price of my bass i could buy 2 original MusicMan :| )

A guy also told me that the OPL's were part of the Ernie Ball company... :\

Any comments ?! Thanks

 

[bassdude63]

I bought my nephew an OLP bass. It seemed like a decent bass to me. You can upgrade one but if you sell it you won't get the money you spent on the upgrades back. But for a backup it would be a very nice bass with or without the upgrades. Seymour Duncan and Bartolini market pickup/preamp upgrades, Schaller makes great aftermarket tuning gears, and if EB does'nt sell the original bridge check out ABM. Badass, Schaller,etc..
-D.M.

 

[chewstermaniac]

my advice is this: Find a large music store that will give you financing, and put the money you were gonna spend down on a reall MM and then finance the rest of it. you wont be dissappointed.

 

[bassdude63]

I totally agree. If you figure in the cost of modifications to an Olp bass and then realize you won't get that money back if you sell it-it makes perfect sense to save your money and buy a real Stingray. Or keep an eye peeled for a used Stingray. You won't regret it.

 

[Eric Moesle]

I played an OLP 5 string several months ago, and was terribly dissapointed. The string spacing is MUCH closer together than on a real stringray 5, the fretwork was terrible, the hardware was cheap, and the wood was very light.

Real Stingrays are pretty reasonably priced when found used on the internet. My recommendation is to get one of those. If you decide to get an OLP, get it for what it is, and don't waste your money modifying it. It will never really feel or sound like a real "ray, and you'll never get your $$$ back out of it.

 

[boogiefingers]

OLP basses

Go for it. You can buy the bass and modify for around $500. I own a MM Sterling and plan to do the same.

 

[boogiefingers]

OLP

I would replace PU and preamp with Semour Duncan first ($170 @ musiciansfriend.com). Will be the most significant improvement. If you're not impressed, then don't spend any more money. The bridge won't make much of a dif compared to the PUs. I bought a 4string and the body and neck are sweet. Was able to set up for low action and clean. Sounds great accoustically. Buy the bass, make the mods, get some gigs, make some money, then buy a real Stingray later. They are worth the $. I've been doing mods on my basses for 20 years. For $500 you'll have a great sounding and very playable bass!