mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Well, I just got the subject of my latest project: a metallic blue OLP MM2 with maple fingerboard. One of the older ones, with a blue that is a bit greenish, depending on the light, which I think is nicer than the later models. I've owned 4 OLP MM2, and 3 were pretty good, one was terrible (and was sold). This one was bought for one purpose: convert it to fretless. I couldn't find a fretless OLP, and I don't want to go into high $$$ for a MusicMan (could not find any fretless SUBs either), so I thought this could be fun... and I'll have my luthier friend on standby in case I mess something up Anyway. I just wanted to ask what people think about... colours. Yep, lame as that... that's my question It came with a white pickguard, which is going to go. I hate the way it looks: So I'm thinking of going with one of two options. One is a black pickguard... here's a picture with my Stingray's black pickguard placed on top (it leaves a thin gap on the top, but it can be sorted). The shape is also a bit rounder, as you can see, which I think it's nicer than the OLP's: The other alternative is a "black pearloid" type of pickguard, a bit like this one (not the shape, just the colour, obviously): what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I kind of prefer the white. How about clear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I think I saw this on the bay? There's a nice double humbucker one on now I may buy. Personally I prefer the White, maybe White pearloid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 noooooooo, I utterly dislike white pickguards, unless on a white bass A clear pickguard would be nice... but the pickup routing on OLPs is not pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='934574' date='Aug 24 2010, 11:06 AM']I think I saw this on the bay? There's a nice double humbucker one on now I may buy.[/quote] You may have seen it indeed! There were two of these at the same time. I took the first one. Lucky, as that decreases competition. £120 is ok for a bass like this I think. There's also a 3-band active one, with SD pickup and hard case... Asking for £200+, I forget now, but if it's the SD preamp it could be a pretty good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='Ou7shined' post='934573' date='Aug 24 2010, 11:04 AM']I kind of prefer the white. How about clear?[/quote] You got me curious, so I removed the pickguard. The pickup routing is, as I expected, a big square, bigger than the pickup, and won't look nice. In addition, I think this bass used to belong to a "Jim" at some point, who carved his name on the body under the pickguard! Not sure it shows clearly in the pictures. I also found that the greenish tinge is not the original, but just the way the blue fades! Because under the pickguard it's VERY blue (again the pictures didn't show it as much as you can see it in person), but it's still a different blue from later OLPs. Maybe I'll set a stand by the window just for this bass to fade the blue even further. Perhaps in another 15 years it gets a little greener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 Ha! I had forgotten about a pickguard I made a while ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='mcnach' post='934712' date='Aug 24 2010, 01:13 PM']Ha! I had forgotten about a pickguard I made a while ago... [/quote] Haha now yer talkin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='Ou7shined' post='934738' date='Aug 24 2010, 01:32 PM']Haha now yer talkin'. [/quote] I knew you'd approve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_m Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Black or Saltire for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='tony_m' post='934809' date='Aug 24 2010, 02:18 PM']Black or Saltire for me. [/quote] Like a good Scotsman "made in Spain" I like the Saltire. But that's not a permanent one. It's just for special occasions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_m Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='mcnach' post='934846' date='Aug 24 2010, 02:43 PM']Like a good Scotsman "made in Spain" I like the Saltire. But that's not a permanent one. It's just for special occasions [/quote] Seems fair enough. Then again, what would a Sassenach like me know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='mcnach' post='934620' date='Aug 24 2010, 11:51 AM']You got me curious, so I removed the pickguard. The pickup routing is, as I expected, a big square, bigger than the pickup, and won't look nice. In addition, I think this bass used to belong to a "Jim" at some point, who carved his name on the body under the pickguard! Not sure it shows clearly in the pictures. I also found that the greenish tinge is not the original, but just the way the blue fades! Because under the pickguard it's VERY blue (again the pictures didn't show it as much as you can see it in person), but it's still a different blue from later OLPs. Maybe I'll set a stand by the window just for this bass to fade the blue even further. Perhaps in another 15 years it gets a little greener [/quote] I that's more dirt, than fade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='934988' date='Aug 24 2010, 04:42 PM']I that's more dirt, than fade.[/quote] No, it's not ultra clean, but it's not dirt. It's all over, but especially noticable at the headstock, that's more of a blueish green by now. I noticed a similar effect on a white guitar I once had. The sun could shine on the headstock only where the guitar stand was placed. Within a couple of years the headstock (finished to match the body) was noticeable creamier than the body, which remained white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I like the white pickguard, also maybe worth going over the paint with some T cut as it may bring the colour back? ... nice looking bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tino Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='iconic' post='935120' date='Aug 24 2010, 06:34 PM']I like the white pickguard, also maybe worth going over the paint with some T cut as it may bring the colour back? ... nice looking bass.[/quote] Pewter with a bit of OTT engraving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 [quote name='iconic' post='935120' date='Aug 24 2010, 06:34 PM']I like the white pickguard, also maybe worth going over the paint with some T cut as it may bring the colour back?[/quote] Actually I would rather take it to a tanning shop, to see if the UV light fades the blue, as I prefer the greenish hue. No, I will not do that. Just saying that I like the faded colour best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 "black pearl" pickguard ordered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 That black pearl should look killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I vote for mirrored like the Iron Maiden geezer who's name escapes me right now, something Harris? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='937712' date='Aug 27 2010, 12:53 AM']I vote for mirrored like the Iron Maiden geezer who's name escapes me right now, something Harris?[/quote] Keith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 yeah yeah Steve Harris, this is the bass I am talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy54 Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 How about no scratchplate but put the screws back in? Done to my jazz and it looks the dogs whotsits IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='937760' date='Aug 27 2010, 03:13 AM']yeah yeah Steve Harris, this is the bass I am talking about[/quote] Nope, it's definitely Keith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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