Olp preamp
Pt
Derek Tearne
I've seen several of these auctions. What I'm not sure about is whether
or not this guy bought up the leftover OLP pre-amps when they stopped
building which would make it OLP (musicman style)
or whether this is, as it says, (olp musicman) style - which could be
absolutely crap.
They do look pretty much like the real thing, but square blocks with
wires are pretty much of a muchness.
If they are the OLP pre-amps they work pretty well - don't know if
they'd be worth that much money though (the original basses retailed at
~$350 total price)
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Vitamin S: improvisation from New Zealand http://www.vitamin-s.co.nz/
d'Groove: 12 piece party/covers band http://www.dGroove.co.nz/
Jose de las Heras
"Derek Tearne" <de...@url.co.nz> wrote in message
news:1jti2gy.1cvltly1nblfpwN%de...@url.co.nz...
>
> I've seen several of these auctions. What I'm not sure about is whether
> or not this guy bought up the leftover OLP pre-amps when they stopped
> building which would make it OLP (musicman style)
>
> or whether this is, as it says, (olp musicman) style - which could be
> absolutely crap.
>
> They do look pretty much like the real thing, but square blocks with
> wires are pretty much of a muchness.
>
> If they are the OLP pre-amps they work pretty well - don't know if
> they'd be worth that much money though (the original basses retailed at
> ~$350 total price)
>
> --- Derek
I bought one for my 5-string Stingray copy. They are alright preamps. They
work, they are powerful, good option for a passive OLP (and it has an
active/passive switch, which is nice).
But after having bought a few cheap preamps here and there for various
projects, I now prefer to spend a bit more and get a *really nice* preamp.
With these preamps, I install them and go "cool, it works". With a "really
nice" preamp I go "wow" and get giggly and the warm fuzzies envolve me.
Well, maybe not quite, but not too far off.
I really like John East preamps. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive,
but after using his Stingray one (into my 2002 2EQ Stingray) and a J-Retro01
(in my Jazz) I doubt I'll look elsewhere in the future. In particular, for a
Stingray type, get his MMSR preamp. It's based on the 2EQ original (wich to
my ears is warmer overall than the more modern 3EQ), and it adds a separate
module for mids with a sweepable centre frequency control which makes it
extremely versatile.
As I had a 2EQ (output socket on the plate, plus 3 knobs) I went for the 3
knob version. The centre detents are very useful even if they don't
necessarily indicate the "flat" EQ position on the bass/treble (it does for
mids). The 4 knob one (I bought one of those too for my MM SUB5) has
individual controls for bass and treble, without centre detents, as per the
original, and it's not as easy to find the same tones everytime.
It transformed my Stingray from "I like this bass" into "I *LOVE* this
bass". Seriously. It was never a bad bass to start with, but it's tremendous
now. Got so many compliments from the recording engineer last month that I
worried for a minute! :)
Jose
--
www.mcnach.com
Sea Bass Kid: http://www.myspace.com/seabasskid
Richt Hoat Chillis: http://www.myspace.com/rhcpscot
-
Current favourite guitar: SX GG1JR
Current favourite bass: MusicMan Stingray (2002, 3-band JE preamp)
Golem
John East has a top shelf reputation. I can't speak
for his line of products as I never had them. Since I
usually buy used basses, I've encountered the prior
owners' choices, and been pleased and amazed.
The first StingRay I ever really dug was converted to
a 3-band SD Basslines [from a 2-band original]. It's
even got a Basslines PU. I've been playing it for ten
years now ! Our fiddle and geetar dood said that if
he had a bass like this one, he'd give up fiddle and
and geetar to just play the bass.
I've also got a custom-built thinline hollow "Ray-type"
bass, with a no-name PU and an Audere Z3. It was
built this way by the prior owner, as his personal ax.
I'm extremely lucky to have parted him from it !
The Duncan is "very pleasing", but the Audere has
the "wow" factor, even with the brand-X PU. I was
told it's "Diesel" brand PU. Gets great mileage :-)
Yes, these DO cost more than odd-lot surplus stuff
on eBay, but you not only get great sound, you get
support. None of my stuff has ever failed, so when
it comes to support, all I've ever wanted is info. But
John East does have the more huger reputation in
the support department.
`
Jose de las Heras
pickup too), and it's good, no doubt. Like you say, it's "pleasing", but it
does not have the "wow" factor (for me). I love that bass and it really does
sound good... until you get the Stingray with the John East.
Regarding John East support... I have nothing but praise. I emailed him
prior to my first purchase as I wanted to be sure, and he was fast to
respond and gave me all kinds of details, even sending me pictures of his
reference '76 Stingray and the rig he used to compare the original and his
preamps etc... Then I wanted a bypass switch installed (not offered as a
standard option on the website) and he was happy to do that, but I'd have to
wait until they order and receive the switch-pots... followed by another
email saying he actually still had some pots left and were cheaper than
originally quoted...
Very helpful, pleasant, transparent and honest kind of guy... and makes
great preamps!
I'll stop now before I start sounding like I'm being paid toa dvertise or
something (I'm just a happy customer!)