OLP is dead, long live Sterling by Musicman

[Blazer]

http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/main.html?dir=basses

Now this is more like it. 

[Dave W]

I read about these on the EB/MM forum when they were introduced at NAMM in January. They're being made in Korea and Indonesia. IIRC the venture is licensed by Ernie Ball and owned by the Park family.

[Chris P.]

I guess it are almost the same basses, but of course Sterling sounds much better than OLP. When OLP disappeared I already thought they would come up with something new.

[Blazer]

I guess it are almost the same basses, but of course Sterling sounds much better than OLP. When OLP disappeared I already thought they would come up with something new.

Err did you even see the website? Because it's obvious that OLP and Sterling are NOT the same instruments with a different logo, their basses come with active electronics and a far better more quality look than the OLP instruments.

[Chris P.]

Yep, I took a look at the website. To put it in other words: Almost every brand, except Rickenbacker, has a cheap sub brand. When OLP disapeared it was obvious MM would come with something else. I like the quality of OLP and I haven't seen the Sterlings in real life, so I wait till I played them before I gove my opinion.

I didn't knew they are active, though, so thanks for pointing me out. The passive thing was the only thin I liked about OLP.

[Dave W]

Yes, they're definitely a step above the OLPs.

Here's an excerpt from Sterling Ball's comments in an EB/MM forum thread when he introduced the brand, in response to someone who thought he was "cheapening" his brand:

"If I ignore the copies of our stuff then how can I blame people who capitalize on our designs and efforts? By our inaction we have created an opportunity for them...

...You are dead wrong on who is making what for who. I am not involved in any aspect other than guaranteeing the quality. The Parks are paying for the right to make these guitars. For them. I dont sell them, collect the money, handle the returns. I am spporting the brand by giving the customers a quality choice instead of leaving it to the rip off artists."

[Basvarken]

The passive thing was the only thin I liked about OLP.

I even took out the active circuit of my MusicMan Stingray. It improved the dynamics (as far as I'm concerned)

[gearHed289]

I read about these on the EB/MM forum when they were introduced at NAMM in January. They're being made in Korea and Indonesia. IIRC the venture is licensed by Ernie Ball and owned by the Park family.

I would assume they're being made by Samick. I bought my daughter a Samick "Greg Bennet Design" mini bass a couple of years ago and the quality was so good, I bought one of their acoustic guitars, which I love. Both made in Indonesia.  

[Dave W]

Could be, but I don't think so. I really don't know who the Parks are, but I got the impression that they are actually manufacturers, not just having it made to their specs by someone like Samick.