OLP Question

**guitar5150** · 01.12.07, 10:54 PM

Hey Guys

Getting ready to buy an OLP MM1 and need some advice. The guitar strings seemed very tight too me .. kinda tough to bend. It could be they are not .009, but heavier strings. (its a non Floyd)

Also .. being a "shorter scale" neck .. I would love the action low and slinkey .. anyone have theres set up this way?

Any help would be great!

Thanks All!

John

AT · 01.13.07, 01:08 AM

Dude, do you really want to buy one of those guitars? The majority around here seem to favor them, but I'll stick my nose out as a player of 21-plus years, a teacher, and a regular guitar work-a-holic (modifications are fun) and say they're not even worth the money you pay. I bought one to keep in ym teaching studio so I wouldn't have to bring a Wolfgang with me every day, and in the five or so months I owned it the thing actually got worse over time--and I do very regular maintenance on all my guitars. (And I do apologize to folks who really like them; I found mine to be terrible in all senses.) Some of the Yamaha AES series or the PRS SE series guitars are about 10X better than the OLPs and really not a whole more money.

But to answer your question, the OLPs are a 25 1/2 scale just the Ernie Balls or a Strat. A standard .009 gauge set should feel pretty normal when tuned to E. 10s will feel more stiff. They ship them with 9s.

Beware of the neck on that OLP. It'll twist and bow up if you even breathe too hard near it.

**TopTimi** · 01.13.07, 05:36 AM

I must tell you that the 2 OLPs that I have are worth every penny. As a player for close to 30 years I am quite happy with the neck, action, tone. Now it won't compete with my Gibsons or Fenders, but for the money you'll get alot of guitar.

**STC5150** · 01.13.07, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by guitar5150

Hey Guys

Getting ready to buy an OLP MM1 and need some advice. The guitar strings seemed very tight too me .. kinda tough to bend. It could be they are not .009, but heavier strings. (its a non Floyd)

Also .. being a "shorter scale" neck .. I would love the action low and slinkey .. anyone have theres set up this way?

Any help would be great!

Thanks All!

John

I have ernie ball super slinky 9's on mine, and playability and bending are no problem. I know they aren't a wolfgang or an axis by any measure, but for 200 bucks you can't fucking beat them !. Also, I've never had any issues with my neck. Andrew, you must've gotten a dud bro !

AT · 01.13.07, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by STC5150

Also, I've never had any issues with my neck. Andrew, you must've gotten a dud bro !

That seems entirely possible, as I am heavily out-weighed when arguing against their quality.

**STC5150** · 01.13.07, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by AndrewThomas.net

That seems entirely possible, as I am heavily out-weighed when arguing against their quality.

LOL, I'm just messing with you dude. Hell, if I had over 15 wolfgangs, i'd think my OLP was a piece too

Seriously, with the experience you have, I value your opinion. I have never been blessed enough to own one wolfgang in my lifetime, but for what I am doing right now (playing in my basement, having fun) the OLP is a steal. It;s all a personal preference. I love my guitar. There are things I wish I could have instead ( a floyd rose, a non-PHOTO flame top, ect) but I am happy for the choice I made. The only issue I have had with the guitar is the input jack getting a bit loose, but that was a quick fix. the neck is in perfect condition. Perhaps my standards are low, but it's individual taste, and I value mine, just like you value yours.

**OU812fan** · 01.13.07, 11:02 AM

I've owned my olp for about two years now and it still plays like new. some problems i've had with it was the input jack coming loose, which happens to almost every guitar, and a problem with the bridge. The good things heavily outweight the problems. I love the neck on it as well as the sound of the pickups. The thing stays in tune well too. Overall, the guitar is a great guitar for the price and is worth every penny. You should probably go and try a few olps at some music stores to see if it is something you would want.

Good Luck!

AT · 01.13.07, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by STC5150

LOL, I'm just messing with you dude. Hell, if I had over 15 wolfgangs, i'd think my OLP was a piece too

Seriously, with the experience you have, I value your opinion. I have never been blessed enough to own one wolfgang in my lifetime, but for what I am doing right now (playing in my basement, having fun) the OLP is a steal. It;s all a personal preference. I love my guitar. There are things I wish I could have instead ( a floyd rose, a non-PHOTO flame top, ect) but I am happy for the choice I made. The only issue I have had with the guitar is the input jack getting a bit loose, but that was a quick fix. the neck is in perfect condition. Perhaps my standards are low, but it's individual taste, and I value mine, just like you value yours.

I get asked by students and studio clients all the time, and the subject has come up here a few times as well, what I think the "best" or "perfect" guitar is. Just about any player is going to have an opinion based on his/her experience, preferences, knowledge, etc., but having played and owned a lot of guitars and finally discovering how well the Wolfgang fit me, my answer has consistently been: "The guitar that fits right, plays right, and sounds right to you is the best guitar there is." The details can be mulled over until we're all 89 and drooling, but nothing could possibly be better than what matches the player.

I'm gonna stop going after the OLPs from now on. You guys have leveled me off on that one.

**kissmyace** · 01.15.07, 07:03 PM

Maybe you did get a bad one. I've been playing quite a few yrs ,too, & mine plays real sweet. I've never been able to afford something as nice as a Wolfgang, so I'd gladly trade with you !!!!!!!!

AT · 01.15.07, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by kissmyace

Maybe you did get a bad one. I've been playing quite a few yrs ,too, & mine plays real sweet. I've never been able to afford something as nice as a Wolfgang, so I'd gladly trade with you !!!!!!!!

If you can do a regular troll on eBay, watch for solid color USA Wolfgang Specials. Sure, it's not a fancy flame top, but they cut no corners on quality or tone (some argue the solid basswood models in fact sound better). Occasionally one will go for about $450, which is a very good deal and roughly twice the price of the OLP--but about ten times the guitar. So if you do indeed want to own a Wolfgang, it doesn't have to be too crazy!

**HipCat5** · 01.16.07, 05:04 AM

One thing I found with the OLP guitars is that you need to finish the neck off properly (not gun stock oil & wax but a nice spray finish on the back and you can oil& wax the fingerboard). The neck needs that stability otherwise its shifting & changing all over the place.

Also, the stock bridge on a MM-1 (Floyd or Non) is really cheap. Invest in a replacement bridge and it should "drop in" and be much more stable. My MM-1 was a non-floyd and I installed a used Kramer Floyd from the 80's era and its rock solid tuning (better than my '85 Fender with a Kahler installed). Current production model MM-1 with Floyd installed is a good choice IMHO. Drop in a PING replacement Floyd for $120 and you're all set.

Other than that, I've got a first generation OLP MM-1 and I love it (I've been playing for 15 years, I teach guitar off/on, and play in a few groups, etc). Its a workhorse guitar when you need something you don't mind scratching up or bringing on the road with you.