bassatnight Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Folks, I have just got myself a lovely 5 String OLP via E-Bay and am amazed at the quality for under £200. Does anyone know why they were discontinued? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 A complete guess but maybe a trial for the Sterling by Musicman range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Many folk believe that they became to popular for MM to justify keeping them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 It makes sense that ErnieBall had the Sterling range planned for some time as they were unhappy with the product produced by OLP. I imagine it's better business to run the factory they're made in than get a cut of the profit as a license fee. Also, OLPs were not very indicative of what to expect from a US Musicman and perhaps wasn't that complimentary to the brand - the Sterlings are much closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I think the great popluarity of the OLP's perhaps wasn't to EBMM's liking. Ok, the brands occupy totally different market segments but you know that EBMM is very brand concious and all those nice, cheap basses wern't doing to proper Musicman stuff any favours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Bing bong- mcnach to checkout 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I thought that bass only needed 4 strings though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1317659785' post='1392886'] It makes sense that ErnieBall had the Sterling range planned for some time as they were unhappy with the product produced by OLP. I imagine it's better business to run the factory they're made in than get a cut of the profit as a license fee. Also, OLPs were not very indicative of what to expect from a US Musicman and perhaps wasn't that complimentary to the brand - the Sterlings are much closer. [/quote] This makes sense. I love the OLPs, but they need a couple of mods to make them decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstrike Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I'd imagine because of the Sterling line, but OLP made other stuff as well, cheaper Trabens(which were dang cheap in the first place.....), and others I can't remember right now. I'm thinking the VAST majority were EBMM copys though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I remember reading that they were dropped by the Asian builder. Shortly after that it became Sterling dumped them and that seems to be the current story. Once they ended they were discounted heavily in the US and I got my MM3 for $115 delivered to my door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 The origin of the Sterling range came with the discontinuation of the SUB in 2006. EBMM couldn't afford to continue manufacturing the SUB in the US and was looking to replace it with one that was less expensive to produce. OLP was a licensed deal with the Hanser group. It was seen as a way to prevent the flooding of the market with unlicensed knock-offs and to protect EBMMs trademark. The license expired and EBMM didn't renew it. There had been some issues of product consistency with the OLPs, but ultimately why license your trademark to another company to build guitars in Asia when you're going to be doing that yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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