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EBMM Sterling/OLP conundrum

Papazita

Papazita

Jun 27, 2008
1,917
2,346
Ohio
#1
So the release of the Sterling by Ernie Ball series means the demise of the OLP licensed Stingray copies, right? What about the Tony Levin signature model OLP basses? Will they continue to be made by either company? Or dropped entirely?
Just wondering...

I've wanted a TL bass since they were first introduced, but just never got around to it. I guess I waited too long. :(
 
#3
The OLP license was not renewed by EBMM. So OLP is essentially out of the EBMM clone business. Unless the license is renewed by EBMM -- which it most likely won't be now that they have the SBMM line -- OLP is essentially dead.

The Sterling by MusicMan line is EBMM's new, lower-cost instrument line. It takes the place of OLP.

Try eBay for a TL OLP. They pop up regularly. But act fast because there are only so many of them out there for sale and no new ones are being made.
 
#4
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#6
To clarify, I know that the OLP copies are no longer in production; but what was the fate of the TL sig? Will it be picked up by EBMM, as a Sterling by Ernie Ball model? Or a regular Ernie Ball model? Or is it dead completely?
 
#8
Papazita said:
To clarify, I know that the OLP copies are no longer in production; but what was the fate of the TL sig? Will it be picked up by EBMM, as a Sterling by Ernie Ball model? Or a regular Ernie Ball model? Or is it dead completely?
Click to expand...
Ah. I misunderstood. I'm not sure anyone has a solid answer on that but I suspect the lack of a TL bass in the new lineup is an indication.

Mike
 
#9
Not sure I understand the confusion here. OLP lost its license to produce EBMM clones. The TL bass is an OLP bass, so it will go away just like the other OLPs. These are not EBMM basses and never were. They were licensed clones. Why would EBMM want to keep the TL model?
 
#10
DeanT said:
Not sure I understand the confusion here. OLP lost its license to produce EBMM clones. The TL bass is an OLP bass, so it will go away just like the other OLPs. These are not EBMM basses and never were. They were licensed clones. Why would EBMM want to keep the TL model?
Click to expand...

The Tony Levin model was designed by EBMM to Tony's specs. Also per Tony's specs, production rights were given to OLP. Tony wanted the bass to be affordable not just for musicians, but for all of his fans. Slapping a $2000+ pricetag on it, a la the Eddie Van Halen guitar, would have put it out of the reach of many of TL's fans.
So no, it was never made by EBMM, but it is their design. I'm sure Fender retains the right to pull a successful Squier model and start producing it themselves; why would this be any different?
In keeping with Tony's affordability requirement, it would make sense that, should the TL sig model be continued, it would be included in the Sterling by Ernie Ball line.

The question was, is this going to happen?

I don't understand what you find confusing here, frankly.
 
#12
how much did the OLP's cost anyway?? i thought they costed around 2-$300.so if that's the case,then i'm guessing that since the sterling's cost 5-$600,they will be much better than the OLP line.i posted a video of a guy testing out an SB14? sorry don't remember the exact model name.but it's the sterling copy.look it up if you wanna check it out,it sounded pretty good
 
#13
When the TL's first came out, street price was about $350. Last ones I saw on Ebay were around $269. Great deal if you can get one. From what I've heard so far, the new SBMM's have nothing in common with the OLP's and are said to be top notch tone and build. I'm very excited to try one asap.
 
#16
seamus bass said:
are you sure you guys arent talking about the ebmm SUB? the sterlings are just as much as a regular ones.
Click to expand...

theyre talking about Sterling By Music Man, its the new korean made EBMM licensed Stingray/Sterling knockoffs. And from what ive read so far i havent hear danything about a Tony Levin Model. Ive only seen info on the Stingray AKA RAY34, Sterling AKA SB14, and the Stingray5 AKA RAY35. Sterling Ball has said these guitars will have the same quality materials as the MIA just manufactured and assembled in Korea. As for the Tony Levin model I'm guessing it will depend on how popular the RAY35 ends up being, if its a hit they will probably consider a TL model, if not they probably wont. Like someone said early you can always check out the offical EBMM forums and ask Sterling himself, he posts on there fairly regularly.
 
#18
They should license the SX Stingray that they booted out of the country. I heard those SX rays were much better than the OLP ones (and cheaper)

My first complaint of any OLP ray I picked up was that the pickguards felt like they were made out of paper or something. I can tap it and watch the thing bend on me.
 
#19
I have an OLP MM22 Stingray and i love the thing, it sounds great. That said i did have a problem with the A and D string tuner bevels working their way out for some reason, but once i fixed that its been a pretty solid bass and Ive gotten a lot of compliments on its tone.

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