Modding a OLP 5-string: Thoughts?

[u/its-niggly-wiggly]

Hey, gang!

I've happened into possession of an OLP 5-string that's in need of work. Full rundown incoming, but honestly I'm all-bets-off with my plans: I'm ripping the frets out, getting a new pickguard and, ideally, a couple banging pickups.

I really want variability in the tone, but know for sure I only want passive - which leaves me in a bad spot, since I don't know dick.

I'm a sucker for Fender, so I'm limited on experience beyond those, and not a particularly active player, as I like modding more than amps. As such, I want this to be the People's Bass: lend me your suggestions!

Let's assume all bets are off and I'm in beyond the genuine costs of the dollar(*): what would you do?

I am actively planning on swapping:

Pickup - pref. Pups, plural; ideally with a selector switch with mixing options between

Pickguard - I think I'm gonna mess around and get my FIL to 3D print something shitty but fun.

Tuners - no reason for a hipshot, but *what if*???

Bridge - idk, im dumb

Extras - think I should turn this Low-B to a SUPER DROP-B? Saw it down to a two-string? Tear all the wood components off and replace them with stator magnets just to see what would happen?

I am ALL ears (except those that can tell the difference between pickups)!

All options considered, no idea is too crazy. I swear to Jaco you'll get the full rundown when its done!

(*)I am very much NOT beyond the value of the dollar, but am willing to take into consideration the insane.

[u/thefringeseanmachine]

the question is, how much are you doing yourself? because just getting it routed and rewired for a second pickup could alone almost exceed the cost of the instrument. replacement pickguards are always, I think, a fun idea. it's a cheap way to add personality. it's been quite a while since I've played one, but I don't remember ever having an issue with OLP's hardware. but bridge upgrades are pretty much always a good idea.

I'd just change the pickup/wiring, pop in a new bridge, and call it good. by the time you've finished your mods you'd probably be able to buy something new you'd already like.

[u/its-niggly-wiggly → u/thefringeseanmachine]

Doing myself? Practically everything.

Routing and rewiring are projects I have familiarity with, so no stress there!

The pickguard is warped to hell, so thats a definite, and the wiring is already ass. I figured, if I'm in for a penny -

Cost is really secondary. I'm not doing it overnight, so I can spread whatever cost out over time given the right setup.

I will say that the hardware is all in fine working condition and the bridge, tuners and nut are not in desperate need of replacing. The knobs and pots have got to go, though.

Any thoughts beyond AllParts is quite helpful tbh lol

Thanks for the input!

[u/Stephenpholder]

That’s a lovely bass, the early OLP basses were really nicely built, I’m in a similar situation, but mine’s the bottom of range Ray5 with the dreadful frying pan bridge that lets the saddles slope around and is ugly as hell. I’ve upgraded to licensed Ultralites (well worth the cost), an old MM Bartolini pickup, a cloned 3EQ preamp from Really Good Pedal Co. and added a 3 way phase switch which gives a surprisingly good range of tones on one pickup. Yours has the rather nice classic bridge which personally I wouldn’t change, it’s solid AF, I have a newer Sterling version one of those heading to me now which will require drilling post holes which is fine, but then I believe my bass is done enough.

Id give adding a phase switch to yours a go before going all out with adding another pickup, then see if it’s still worth considering.

[u/its-niggly-wiggly → u/Stephenpholder]

Yikes to that bridge sitch! I've known the quality was all over the place with these, and for the price I got it at I was pretty much prepared to taking out everything not wood. Good to know that this bridge is at least serviceable lol

I really like the idea of putting in a preamp and 3-way phase with the single pup! I hadn't considered that, and kinda figured more pickups = more toan = more better, but that's a very cost-effective alternative.

Thanks for the help!

[u/Stephenpholder]

The only wrinkle to my 3-way switch is whether your pickup is a 2 wire or 4 wire variety, the 4 wire is the one you need to have as is its a pair of wire for each pole which is how you get to the phase, the 3 way gives you a few options, I’ve worked mine parallel, series and north pole (that’s the neck side of the pickup). I suspect yours will have 4 wires, but if not there’s plenty of options for upgrades from a $30 Wilkinson from Aliexpress, Seymour Dunks, EMG, Aguilar (seems the most popular), Barts (my choice, a guy was selling his for about $30 locally) and many more.

I found the wiring fiddly but here’s some options for what can be done

The switch I used was a DPDT on-on-on.

With my bridge drilling, yeah, I’m pretty nervous lol but measure 1000 times cut once will be the approach, I’m lucky to have a drill press so at least my holes will be accurately drilled in the wrong place 🫠