OLP MM5

[jackers]

Hey all,

time for another silly question

I'm looking to get a nice 5 string, and I'm seriously tempted by either a StingRay5 or a Dingwall Super P 5 (very different I know, they are just so beautiful and I love the fanned fret system).

I have never played a stingray before, so I was wondering how close to an SR sound and feel an OLP would get me, so I could have an idea of whether an SR is for me, without a huge outlay of cash.

Cheers

[stingrayPete1977]

The Tony Levin olp 5 is well worth seeking out, I have two EBMM sr5s but can get quite close and happy to play the olp.......but.....the string spacing is tighter than the proper version which some people find too close already, that could be an advantage to some people but worth pointing out. The necks a bit more of a c profile rather than the flatter backed D shape on the EBMM. Hope that helps?

Edited November 11, 2012 by stingrayPete1977

[drTStingray]

A Sterling by Musicman Sub 5 is a good bass at a low price - plus you could try one out in a shop and see if you like it before buying. If you want to spend a little more an SBMM Ray 35 gets closer to an EBMM SR5. Or you could try some SR5s in shops.

Pete, I've never actually seen a Tony Levin OLP they must be quite rare?

[stingrayPete1977]

They pop up on eBay more often than you would think you know, the guy I play bass for has one and its not bad at all, the tort guard is only single ply so its starting to buckle up a bit but other than that its a solid piece of kit that sounds pretty good once it's put into the mixing desk.

[stingrayPete1977]

You also get the little moustache man on the headstock so its got to be good!

[jackers]

cheers for the replies

I think PMT Oxford has some SR5s in, so a trip down to them might be on the cards. and I shall keep a look out for a tony levin OLP, as well as a secondhand sterling 5

[WinterMute]

I have a Tony Levin OLP, it's an extraordinarily good bass for the £200 that it cost, even accounting for the Bart pup and pre-amp I've put in.

Flamed maple top, matching headstock, light, good tone and a decent B string. Some are the suspicious orange colour of Levin's original SR5, but some are natural... The pickguard i a bit shabby, and it's next on the list to change.

If you can find one, get it.

[stingrayPete1977]

See I told ya

[Rumple]

I have a OLP MM5, it's passive and doesn't have the SR growl but I really like it as it plays a lot like a SR5 but with a less aggressive more traditional sound, I picked mine up secondhand on here to leave at a relatives so I could practice there without having to lug a bass backwards and forwards and was amazed at how good it looks and it plays.

The edges of the body aren't as smooth.