OLP MM2 bass...

[ghostdog93]

I'm mainly a P-Bass kinda guy, but I have the chance to get my hands on an OLP in very nice shape for under $200.

I'm not sure I need a Stingray-type bass in the collection; maybe I do. I know the line was phased out in 2009 and the reviews on the interwebs say generally good things about them, but I'm curious to hear what some OLP owners have to say about their basses.

Any input or info - positive or negative - is appreciated.

 

[KsToaDangr]

i love mine...but i bought it with a bart installed instead of the stock pup. i switched it back, but the stock one sounded too thin to me, so the bart's back in there now.

 

[Slappin'Da Bass]

Do it! They are awesome slap machines.

 

[ghostdog93]

I don't play much slap, but it's hard for me to resist a cheap bass.

 

[Jim C]

I have an OLP, as well as real SR, P, & J; all good, all different
My OLP has as a great neck and a really nice tone that's closest to a Ray (probably do to pup location); plays better than 2 SX's I've played
Mine was $127 + shipping on eBay; highly recommended

 

[Bass_Thumper]

I had one for a while and it was a pretty good bass. I did put a Seymour Duncan in it and that really opened it up. I didn't care much for the stock pup. It will certainly be worth that price.

 

[Essthreetee]

I had one and liked it...I put a Nordstrand p'up in it....then switched to 5 strings....

 

[Ric5]

Put a 3 band preamp in it and it will sound better.

 

[Scatterblak]

I'm mainly a P-Bass kinda guy, but I have the chance to get my hands on an OLP in very nice shape for under $200.

I'm not sure I need a Stingray-type bass in the collection; maybe I do. I know the line was phased out in 2009 and the reviews on the interwebs say generally good things about them, but I'm curious to hear what some OLP owners have to say about their basses.

Any input or info - positive or negative - is appreciated.

Love it. Ripped the frets out of it, sanded the neck, and it's a fabulous sounding fretless 5 now. It sits proudly in the stand beside a Low End Jazz 5 and a MMSRHS. Very comfortable to play - light, easy on the hands - the stock neck is fine; for under $200.00 I really don't see how you can do better.

 

[LilloEsquilo]

200 dollars? My God, if you haven't paid at LEAST 5k for a bass you really can't expect much. A REAL bass is worth more than your car and is about the cost of a mortgage.

 

[ghostdog93]

200 dollars? My God, if you haven't paid at LEAST 5k for a bass you really can't expect much. A REAL bass is worth more than your car and is about the cost of a mortgage.

You haven't seen my truck. Even at less than $200, the OLP is worth more.

 

[S.Harrison]

I recently sold my OLP MM3 to partially fund a mountain bike build. Wish I hadn't. Absolutely loved it after a bit of tweaking. Add the fact that I got it for $99 and it was that much better.

 

[Pilgrim]

I just say play it and enjoy it.

I had a very nice OLP single pickup bass, but to my ear it didn't sound that different from my P, so I sold it and kept the old P.

 

[GM60466]

Buy it

 

[Diogenes]

I picked up an OLP MM2 a few months ago for $89. I did a fret level, rolled the FB edges, cleaned the frets and added a parallel/series switch... it's an obscenely good player now. I usually play it with the coils in series... it has a thicker and more meaty tone that way. Certainly not a P bass tone but just as satisfying.

 

[ghostdog93]

Now if could only get the seller to call me back...

 

[bassbenj]

I picked up an OLP MM2 a few months ago for $89. I did a fret level, rolled the FB edges, cleaned the frets and added a parallel/series switch... it's an obscenely good player now. I usually play it with the coils in series... it has a thicker and more meaty tone that way. Certainly not a P bass tone but just as satisfying.

Exactly what I'd recommend. I got an OLP MM3 at GC for about $100. [new, demo model!] Flamed maple top. Gorgeous. Killer neck. I never played it much because the passive electronics was VERY interactive and a nightmare to dial in to any specific tone. I pondered all manner of mods from a P-bass conversions to 3 band active preamps. But since when you DID get it dialed in like all stingrays it has SUCH a unique and cutting tone I couldn't bring myself to chop it. I could not find a 3 band stingray preamp clone (which I do believe is the "answer" for this bass) so I changed the electronics. Still passive but now single volume/blend with series parallel switch. That still leaves you with the parallel two coil stingray blend thing but also gives the meatier series tone too.

Yep! THAT made that bass come alive. Plus note the knobs no longer interact so badly with each other making a tone adjustment a cinch. I strongly urge anyone with a passive OPL to consider doing this. It's just like a NBD. However, I still think the ultimate answer is a nice 3 band stingray preamp clone. I mean the whole idea of the stingray was the active control of tone.

 

[Slackerprince]

I had one and sold it and kind of miss it sometimes. The neck was kind of chunky, but I thought it sounded good stock. I got it off e-bay and 4 days after I had it, one of the tuners broke. The seller said to send a photo, which I did, never heard back, then they just disappeared off the bay. I put Hipshots on it, so it was a nice upgrade.
Anyway, they're decent for the money and you can find them cheap, here and there.
Seems to be a little regret from those that sold them.

Good luck.

S.

 

[phatbass]

My only gripe with my OLP is that the stock tuners and pots are cheap-feeling crap. Having said that, I STILL haven't got around to replacing 'em after several years ownership.

 

[ynot]

I practice with the band with mine. Good sound and my neck is excellent low e - 5/64"@the 12th. I walk mostly and l like the light weight factor. I would prefer a rosewood fret board but other than dirty plays well
Till the music fades
Ynot