OLP Stingray copy - dead sounding.

[Collider]

Just got an OLP Musicman Stingray copy on ebay and it's really dead sounding - not much sustain, kind of muted whether amped up or played acoustically.

If you're thinking it's the strings, I'm comparing this to my MIJ P-bass that's had the same strings on for years.

Is this normal for these basses? Never owned one before.

[dutchwife]

Hey C, wild guess but I reckon you've answered your own question. Personally if I'd just bought the bass I'd go the extra mile & put a fresh set of strings on it, if only to rule that out as a cause of said deadness......just my opinion, having not had a similar experience on the couple of OLPs that I've tooled around with.
Maybe give that a shot & repost? I'd be interested to hear if things changed. Good luck anyways.

[electracoyote]

So many factors could be affecting the tone of this bass. Construction, assembly, pickup quality, set-up, tuners, nut-to-bridge specs, neck-to-body relationship.

I would go over the whole bass with a fine tooth comb, do my patented and wholly thorough set-up procedure (which doesn't cost me a dime), and if the thing was still dead, THEN I would shuck out the $20.00 for a new set of cheap strings. Even cheap strings usually sound pretty good right out of the wrapper.

Side Note: I have found that MM basses sound particularly bad if not set-up correctly. I avoided Stingrays for decades because when I auditioned them at the store they always sounded like dogs. Then I finally played one that had been loved. Now I'm a fanboi.

[Collider]

Thanks dutchwife. The fact you haven't had a problem suggests to me that there is something wrong with mine. May try new strings but, as I say, I'm used to the sound of old strings and am happy with it on my other basses. Perhaps I'll just put it back on ebay...

[BassLife77]

I bought a 4 string OLP that was dead even after I upgraded the pickup. When I upgraded the bridge the sound improved dramatically. In my case it was the bridge

[speedcrank]

hi collider- sorry to hear your new olp's tone ain't what it otter be. mine was great out of the box, very close if not better than the original. maybe this is a lame suggestion but did you make sure the bridge was screwed down real tight?

[Jay2U]

Originally Posted by Collider

Thanks dutchwife. The fact you haven't had a problem suggests to me that there is something wrong with mine. May try new strings but, as I say, I'm used to the sound of old strings and am happy with it on my other basses. Perhaps I'll just put it back on ebay...

The only old strings I would fully trust are the ones I installed myself. If the strings were twisted during installation they may have become 'super dead' over the years. I'd check the string to pickup distance first. Then I'd check every screw and bolt for tightness. If the dullness stays, I'd try some fresh strings.

[bolophonic]

I wouldn't spend $20 on a new set of cheap strings, I'd drop $20 on a good quality set in the classifieds.

[Crowella]

I found with mine that new strings livened the sound up a bit so I would recommend that step. Also try a good setup as recommended earlier. It will help, mine was awful out of the box.

I think the OLP's are generally varying to the real deal and I choose to believe it is the build/electrics more than anything. Not necessarily in a bad way, but different none the less.

Mind you, I upgraded the electronics in mine. It's done a bit but I still get a deadish acoustic sound. Still yet to try more expensive strings but it being a 5 string, usually means it burns holes in my wallet.

[otherclef]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

So many factors could be affecting the tone of this bass. Construction, assembly, pickup quality, set-up, tuners, nut-to-bridge specs, neck-to-body relationship.

a piece of crappy wood??