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Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar

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Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar

3.5 (4)

1 Review

0 wishlisted

7 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Unleash the power of the low end with the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar, a versatile instrument designed to offer both punch and precision. This bass guitar combines quality craftsmanship with innovative design, making it a favorite among both novice and seasoned players. Its body, crafted from basswood, delivers a rich, resonant tone that is both deep and articulate, ideal for any musical genre.

The North American maple neck provides a smooth playing experience, coupled with a maple fretboard that enhances the bass's clarity and sustain. The OLP MM3 is equipped with an MM-style pickup, renowned for its ability to produce a wide range of tones, from warm and mellow to bright and aggressive. This pickup, alongside the intuitive control layout, gives you the flexibility to shape your sound as you see fit.

Adding to its durability and reliability are the chrome hardware and open-gear tuners, ensuring your bass stays in tune even during the most demanding performances. The heavy-duty bridge enhances string-to-body resonance, allowing for a fuller, more dynamic sound. Whether you're laying down a groove or hitting those high-energy solos, the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar promises to deliver.

Key Features:

Basswood body for rich, resonant tones
North American maple neck and fretboard for smooth playability
MM-style pickup for versatile sound shaping
Chrome hardware for enhanced durability
Open-gear tuners for stable tuning
Heavy-duty bridge for superior string resonance

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar's humbucker pickup?: The Music Man-style humbucker on the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 delivers a punchy and powerful tone with a strong low-end response, making it suitable for rock, funk, and modern music styles that require deep, resonant bass lines.
Is the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 is a good choice for beginners due to its comfortable 34" scale length and easy playability, thanks to the maple neck and fingerboard.
What is the neck profile like on the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar?: The Ernie Ball OLP MM3 features a North American Maple neck with a smooth finish, providing a comfortable grip and ease of playability for both beginners and experienced players.
Does the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar have a versatile control setup?: Yes, it features one tone and two volume controls, allowing players to fine-tune their sound for various musical styles and performance settings.
What materials are used in the construction of the Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar?: The body is made of basswood or elm with a natural finish, complemented by a North American Maple neck and maple fingerboard, which contribute to its bright and resonant sound.

Videos

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maxproud

OLP MM3: (Stingray 5) Copy - maxproud review

maxproud

Grooviest Bassline ever! - OLP MM3 Stingray

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OLP MM3 musicman Stingray 5 string bass

Pete M

#CeksonBass OLP MM3 5 String China 2005

abisatya jati

OLP MM3 Maple Fretboard Demo

Indra Putranto

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball OLP MM3 5 String Bass Guitar.

Build quality

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OLP basses are noted for their substantial weight, comparable to an 8x10 cabinet, yet are well-balanced compared to models like the Thunderbird.
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The bridge design allows excessive lateral saddle movement, potentially dissipating string energy into moving bridge parts.
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Mods and upgrades

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Swapping in a Nordstrand vintage MM pickup and John Ashby Preamp can significantly enhance the OLP's sound, making it comparable to high-end Stingrays.
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EMG MMHZ passive pickups fit perfectly in Music Man basses and offer a more aggressive sound due to ceramic wiring in series.
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Nordstrand's 4 coil pickup provides diverse wiring options, enhancing the versatility of the OLP MM3's sound.
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User experience

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One long-term owner has retained their OLP bass for 16 years, valuing the neck feel and experiencing no significant issues over time.
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One owner found the bass uncomfortable as a 5-string, attributing it to the build quality rather than the string configuration.
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Comparisons

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OLP basses are perceived as a cost-effective alternative to Music Man models, with sound quality that closely approximates the real Stingray, especially when upgraded.
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Value and pricing

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OLP basses have risen in value, now priced around $300-450, suggesting increasing demand and recognition of their quality in certain markets.
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Features and functionality

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The passive wiring setup uses Volume-Volume-Tone (VVT) controls, which some find limiting compared to active EQ options.
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Raising the pickup height with a sponge can make the OLP bass sound brighter and punchier, similar to a Stingray.
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EMG MMHZ pickups are typically available in black, but custom colors like white or ivory can be requested without additional cost.
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Use cases and applications

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Described as "rude, crude, and vulgar," it's considered ideal for raw rock gigs after setup adjustments.
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The OLP MM3, when tuned to drop B and played through Darkglass and Ampeg gear, excels in hardcore/punk with metallic influences.
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3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

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sean_chan

174

over 9 years ago

Works.

This "Musicman liscensed" OLP Chinese bass guitar is one with attitude, and I mean a harsh one, towards the player.

Performance wise, this bass is nothing short of average - light weight body, tone on the bright side, playable/comfortable neck, but the coupling cripples are not for the faint of heart.

The bass's inferior wood quality is complemented with a disastrous hardware selection. The truss rod is not particularly responsive, making set up a little difficult. Mine never had the privilege of reaching its full potential and lived a life of bad intonation, fret buzz and sudden-death sustains. As a side note: never have I had to replace the tuners on any guitar before, but one of the tuners on this bass literally snapped in two on one tuning occasion. It was amusing to say the least.

I am not certain of the electronic scheme for this bass, but I'm certain that it didn't work. A few days after purchasing this bass it stopped making a sound. I had to send it to a luthier, who I might add was astounded by the wiring in this bass, and had it rewired. Though now producing sound when plugged, it still occasionally cuts the signal off most possibly due to inferior wires.

The second pot never worked, by the way. It even came off after some time.

The most surprising redeeming aspect of this axe is the finish. Mine comes with a sparkling blue, which is actually quite pleasing to the eye. Paired with a blue pickguard, the bass looked beautiful when I got it, and it still does.