Seeking Advice on Newbie Project

[ogrossman]

I have an idea for a beginner's project that I think I can handle but I'm not sure how much sense it makes.

I have an OLP MM3 (5 string with Musicman style pup). My idea is to use parts of the OLP (neck, pup and bridge) to create a 'Deluxe Precision Bass V' clone. I like the way the MM3 plays and sounds and I'm thinking the finished project should sound and play similarly but with the added p-bass sound.

I would pretty much just be buliding the body and buying the p bass pups (e.g. EMG P5) and other misc. parts. I figure the project would end up costing me about $200 plus the value of the OLP.

This question is not about skill level. I've done a lot of wood working and I own a bandsaw, router, etc. I'm also a mechanical engineer so I understand how precise things need to be. It's just that I've never tackled a luthier project before. I'm just wondering if I'll have something worth playing when I'm done or if I should just wait until I can afford to buy the real deal.

Your opinions please?

Thanks

[Greenman]

Give it a shot. Worst comes to worst you can always reassemble the OLP. Good luck.

[Kibuddy]

I think you should go for it, as well. If you make it yourself, it will be much more personal. You can build it how you want, finish it how you want, and make it sound how you want.

That, and it's a whole lot of fun. Just be warned- you'll get hooked on lutheire.

[Rodent]

why not start off by installing a P-style pickup into the OLP in the traditional P sweet spot? this would be the easiest and least expensive way to familiarize yourself with a very basic customization project - and you'll learn a little about routing pickups and hooking up the electrical in the process. even more important, you'll learn how to find centerline on an existing, completed bass by referencing the installed neck sides (do a search, as I recently detailed how to do this very thing)

the OLP already has two volumes and a tone - so you have all the needed control hardware. wire the pickup in series to the rear control pot, the new P-pickup to the forward pot, and run both thru the tone control.

since this is your first project, it may take a weekend to do all the research, practice, and actual work. you'll also get to practice the installation of a neck into a cavity to boot.

once you're confident in this project, then take the plunge into making your own body from scratch.

all the best,

R

[ogrossman]

Originally Posted by Rodent

why not start off by installing a P-style pickup into the OLP in the traditional P sweet spot?

Yeah, that was plan 'A'. But with plan 'B' I still have the OLP to play (my back-up bass) while I'm doing the project. And if the whole thing goes south I haven't destroyed a perfectly good bass. I guess it feels like one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of things.

I'll give plan 'A' some more thought though, thanks