Help me choose, please: Tony Levin OLP vs S.U.B. Ray 5

[harborcoat]

I'm eying up a Tony Levin sig OLP on Reverb going for $399.

There are numerous threads in the forums comparing the regular OLP line to the first SUBs when they came out (that sounded like they were pricier, I don't know - this EBMM/SMM nomenclature is wack) but many people reviewed and loved their Tony Levins in the mid-late 2000's. On the other hand, people seemed to like the build quality of SUBs over the regular OLP lines.

How do they stack up now?

• Pro TL OLP:
  • More unique than a S.U.B.
  • I like the look a bit better.
    
  • I can pretend to be awesome.
• Pro S.U.B.:
  • Cheaper by almost a hundo
  • Can try it in the store to make sure I dig that particular instrument
  • Pay no shipping.

I'm already bald, so hair loss is not a concern.

Thanks for the bargain basement bass advice.

 

[Mark76]

Elephant talk!

 

[harborcoat]

Elephant talk!

Nevermind. I figured it out!

 

[Mosstone]

I owned a SBMM SUB Ray4 briefly. It was a good bass with a decent pre-amp. I've never owned an OLP, but I've played a few, and the SUB felt, looked and played like a higher quality instrument, IMO.

Also, OLPs are passive. I would go for the SUB just for the pre & eq.

 

[harborcoat]

I owned a SBMM SUB Ray4 briefly. It was a good bass with a decent pre-amp. I've never owned an OLP, but I've played a few, and the SUB felt, looked and played like a higher quality instrument, IMO.

Also, OLPs are passive. I would go for the SUB just for the pre & eq.

The Tony Levin signature has active electronics with a 3 band EQ.

I guess my main hangup is, like you echoed, though forums searching and google searching many haven't seem terribly impressed with OLPs, yet lots of folks seem to love the Tony Levin signature. Is it placebo effect? The doodle? Or were these instruments really made to a higher standard? I don't want to plunk extra dough on a less quality instrument just because it's cool. Okay, actually, I do... but I shouldn't.

 

[DirtDog]

The SUB Ray5 is a very decent quality instrument for the price. I've owned one since December. Little niggles like sharp fret edges but otherwise a nicely finished bass. Good sounding too - good preamp, doesn't really sound like a Stingray, but it's a good modern sound nonetheless.

 

[Mosstone]

The Tony Levin signature has active electronics with a 3 band EQ.

I guess my main hangup is, like you echoed, though forums searching and google searching many haven't seem terribly impressed with OLPs, yet lots of folks seem to love the Tony Levin signature. Is it placebo effect? The doodle? Or were these instruments really made to a higher standard? I don't want to plunk extra dough on a less quality instrument just because it's cool. Okay, actually, I do... but I shouldn't.

Oh... My bad. I've never seen the Tony Levin model.

Ok, I just went and Googled it, and hold the presses! That thing looks niiiiiice!

You're right. It is a tough call. I'm leaning more toward the TL sig OLP now myself.

 

[Mosstone]

This is the one I was talking about, with the quilted maple top:

 

[Mosstone]

Is this the one you're thinking of buying?

Not my choice of finish, but my gut says go for this one. This looks a bit of a step up from a regular OLP. And I like a 3-band rather than a 2-band EQ. What I don't like is the price. Have you tried haggling with the seller?

 

[Mosstone]

I think you might be out of luck. That reverb listing ended two years ago and there aren't any other OLP basses listed at the moment (signature or otherwise).

 

[harborcoat]

I think you might be out of luck. That reverb listing ended two years ago and there aren't any other OLP basses listed at the moment (signature or otherwise).

It's this'n

OLP Tony Levin Signature 5-String Bass Flamed Natural

 

[Mosstone]

That's really strange... I did a couple variations on 'OLP Tony Levin signature bass' and the search came up with nothing.

Anyway, yeah... I'd be more interested in that one. Looks like that bass sold for $350 when it was new (about 12 years ago). I think you have a little bit of wiggle room in the price. I did a completed listing search on ebay to see what these typically sell for. There was only one listed, and it sold for $299. Another one sold here in the classifieds this past Feb for $350.

These basses seem to be rare, and so maybe the seller thinks it has a little more cache because of it. I'd offer $350 shipped and see what he says. It's been listed for two months, so he might be motivated to move it.

 

[TrustRod]

My non Levin OLP had some of the worst hardware and frets I've ever seen. I've since replaced both and love it but it was not made well. The $400 price tag is reaching. I'd go for the sterling sub by sterling sterling sub sterling ray sterling.

 

[groucho]

I had a Tony Levin OLP in "Barbie Flesh" and it was quite nice.
Got to compare it head on for an hour with a MM Stingray 5
and I have to say it did not come off looking so shabby.
The MM had the obviously better pickup/electronics but as to feel and playability
(cut of the neck) they were not all that far apart.
Considering $399 I paid for the OLP vs (what? $1200 )for a used MM Ray 5 string?
Get the OLP just for the color!

 

[bassbooty]

@harborcoat, I just happened to see that bass on Reverb earlier today. The linked review below might help you decide. The asking price on Reverb is higher than the retail price was before a discount. Although, it is a discontinued piece:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

That's a no-brainer - go check out the SUB - if you can play it, AND it's nice - then why even consider the risk of the other bass?

 

[Ric5]

This is the one I was talking about, with the quilted maple top:

So why have you not purchased this already???

 

[Ric5]

now you need these

 

[howlin]

BTW, those things are in the 10#+ weight range in case you care.

 

[howlin]

now you need these

I think TL only uses those on his 3-string MM bass if I'm not mistaken. Can't imagine trying those on a bass with 17mm string spacing.