Sterling by MusicMan...the next OLP

That's interesting. The Sterling used to be a lighter Ray, but now it's a whole new line of "Made in _______" instruments?

 

The price of the MusicMan lineup has been rising over the past few years. I'm surprised that it's been this long before they came out with their import lineup.

 

so wait - i just went to the OLP site and it said this

Thank you for all the years of support. The OLP brand has been retired, starting in 2009.

is OLP done? or has it been "re-branded"?

 

I'm a fan of EB/MM quality and their Bongo line, but it seems to be a bad idea to start splitting the name between a great bass and a new line of S.U.B.-esque instruments. I think to the "kids", the starting players who walk into a Guitar Center and ask for them to take "that Sterling" of from high atop the wall, it will be confusing why one Sterling is $500 (?) and this other Sterling is $1,700... especially to their parents who will be paying, and who like *do* have more than half of a brain but simply aren't bass players and don't know between brands.

 

Does this mean my genuine USA made Stingray is now seen as the ultimate* top of the line EBMM? Woohoo!

*with the exception of the Family Reserve

 

Can I? Surely. Can the Soccer Mom (or Dad) who doesn't know a thing about basses, forget particular brands and their differing models? Not as sure, especially knowing how good places like GC are at explaining such things:

"Umm, yeah... the cheaper instruments are all 'Sterlings', but this expensive bass is also a 'Sterling'. Not a 'Sterling Sterling', but a 'MusicMan Sterling'. Umm, let me show you some Fenders right over here..."

I simply think that given it's target market, it's needlessly confusing to people that no nothing about basses, nevermind EB/MM models. And I imagine the same is true for Fender and their basses of different origins, although they have certainly labeled them easier to understand than a "Jazz" line of cheaper instruments.

 

On the other hand the hockey moms will think they are getting something almost as good for half the dough (I mean they look the same and they both say 'Sterling' right? you betcha! *wink*) but the hip bass dudes will know the difference.

 

The soccer Mom or Dad usually doesn't buy the $1500 bass.

 

I dont like that they are calling it that.

 

'zackly

 

I have a MIA Sterling that was for sale on here. I also have listed it on Craigslist for $725 and Ebay for $775. I just can't seem to move it even though it's a rare color (Burnt Apple), is in great condition, has an OHSC, tons of upgrades, a bunch of extras and all the original parts too. I don't know if its just because its a lined fretless model and peeps are scared of it or if it's just that nobody has any money - but I'm kinda baffled about why it isn't selling. That's a pretty low price even compared with all the others of the same spec.

Anyway, I imagine that if the market is that bad for a MIA Sterling, a low end replica for $500 is an even tougher sell.

 

If you're referring to my post - It's not like I went and posted links. And truthfully, it is a baffling situation since I've just never really asked for a price that was this far under the norm and not had something move. Maybe you see that as marketing but it wasn't intentional and I apologize if it offended you.

PS - if the mods think that it was inappropriate - please let me know or just remove it.

 

It's sort of like cannibalizing the brand, taking all the things they teach you in business school (dilution=bad) and throwing it out the window. Then again, they're giving their audience lots and lots of credit, which I appreciate, but I think they're thinking the wrong audience.

UNLESS they intend for these to be used as backups by gigging pros rather than mid-level entry instruments?