SUB and OLP?

[francisk]

Forgive my ignorance but can someone explain to me the difference between Musicman Sterling, Sterling SUB and OLP Sterling (licensed by Ernie Ball)?

My guess is that some are made in factories in Asia, would that be correct?

Also, is there a different feel/finish/sound/weight?

Thanks,

Fran

 

[Randracula]

OLP is the only bass that you have listed that is made overseas.It is not actually made by Ernie Ball Musicman but is a licensed copy that is decent for the money.The Stingray, Stingray Five, Sterling,Bongo and SUB are all made in SLO, California.

 

[SteveB]

A few points to add:

The SUB Sterling is built to be sold at a lower price point than a regular Sterling.
The SUB instruments have painted necks and textured paint jobs, whereas the Sterling has an unfinished maple neck and is available in many great (non-textured) colors. Both are made by Music Man in San Luis Obispo, California.

The OLP is made by another company altogether, and simply licenses the design from Music Man. The OLP brand is significantly less expensive as they are targeted at the entry-level market.

 

[basspastor]

Forgive my ignorance but can someone explain to me the difference between Musicman Sterling, Sterling SUB and OLP Sterling (licensed by Ernie Ball)?

My guess is that some are made in factories in Asia, would that be correct?

Also, is there a different feel/finish/sound/weight?

The SUB is the per say lower end SR with a very great sound, the SUB Sterling is the lower end Sterling with a great sound. I am sure if wrong I will be corrected but I seem to remember Jon or ??? telling me the Pu's etc. were the same.
If you are looking for the EBMM sound and don't want to spend a lot of money
you can't go wrong with the SUB. I speak from experience!

 

[francisk]

sub, etc.

Thanks guys. I'm still trying to figure this. OLP is not to EBMM as Squier is to Fender or Epiphone is to Gibson? It's not a subsidiary?

Also, apart from paint/finish, are there any other differences between Sterling and Sterling SUB? Or ar they just made on Monday mornings?

 

[maddog]

Selector switch.

 

[Golem]

Thanks guys. I'm still trying to figure this. OLP is not to EBMM as Squier is to Fender or Epiphone is to Gibson? It's not a subsidiary?

Also, apart from paint/finish, are there any other differences between Sterling and Sterling SUB? Or ar they just made on Monday mornings?

Back when the Japanese makers were making copies of everything [some copies were also terrific basses, too], there were various lawsuits about headstock shapes and other "trade dress " issues. OLP is just one more copymaker, but to avoid the lawsuit distractions, they actually pay to license the appearance of their copies. That's it, in total, appearance only. If you can see any OLP product at all up close and personal, just read the backside of the headstock.

OLP makes licensed copies of not only MusicMan, but Spector, and [don't let the grape soda spew out of your nose now...] Ibanez, and maybe some others. That alone should tell you that OLP is not a branch or satelite of MusicMan, Spector, or anyone else.

 

[francisk]

SUB, etc.

...OLP is not a branch or satelite of MusicMan, Spector, or anyone else.

As I thought. Does the licenced OLP fill the same niche as Squier and Epiphone do for the other companies? I understand that they are a licence-paying copier but why then are SUB instruments made in USA?

I understood that the main reason why Squier and Epiphone are so much cheaper than their USA "parents" was that labour and overheads were much cheaper in Asia.

I wonder how EBMM can afford to sell American-made instruments (SUB) cheaper than their regular models?

 

[maddog]

I wonder how EBMM can afford to sell American-made instruments (SUB) cheaper than their regular models?

Less fancy, cheaper parts = lower price.

 

[francisk]

Differences

"less fancy"

How exactly? They look pretty much alike.

 

[SteveB]

My understanding was always that F@nder owned Squire (in my mind they aren't even different entities), same with Gibby and Epiph@ne.

OLP and Music Man are different. OLP might as well be Y@maha or G@din, that's how unrelated they are to Music Man.

Music Man makes their 'regular' run of products, and then they make the SUB series. They can sell the SUBs cheaper because they (by design) don't have to look as good as their more expensive coutnerparts. Less time sanding, painting.. they can use wood that doesn't look as good but is still the structural and tonal equivalent of the nicer line, because all the wood gets painted on a SUB.

The fretwork and electronics are still great in the SUB instruments. Try one and you'll agree. The first one I tried was a SUB1 guitar with HH pickup configuration. It played like a dream, was very comfortable, and sounded phenomenal when plugged straight into a Marshall JCM2000 DSL with no help from effects or whatnot.

Oh, and while the 'regular' instruments from Music Man come with hardshell cases, the SUBs do not. I think they come with a gig bag, unless of course you buy from GC.

 

[maddog]

How exactly? They look pretty much alike.

Try a side by side comparison.

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_substerling.html

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_sterling.html

 

[francisk]

Sub

Had already seen the EB pages, thanks.

Just wanted objective comment and info

 

[sandaas]

In addition to all the info mentioned, the sound of the SUB sterling is (of course) a little different from the regular sterlings.

I think the SUBs has a louder -and a bit different- growl than the regular models, but not quite as much sustain. BUT, they cost half of what the regulars do..

IMHO they sound great, they have a sound of their own, and me likes it
It's a growl you can't mistake for some other bass. 'cause then it will jump up and kick your a**!

 

[TheDirtyMoocher]

didnt bp or somebody mention that olp was a brainchild of a good friend of his..and thats why it had music man basses before anything else?

 

[pattiejay]

...IMHO they sound great, they have a sound of their own, and me likes it
It's a growl you can't mistake for some other bass. 'cause then it will jump up and kick your a**!

+1!!!

go the SUB's

 

[bovinehost]

didnt bp or somebody mention that olp was a brainchild of a good friend of his..and thats why it had music man basses before anything else?

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!

You are correct, sir.