My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

[Musically Mr M]

I've got an OLP MM3 (StingRay5 Copy) and it's the best $250.00 dollars I've ever spent on a bass. Sweet neck, solid body (I have the natural elm w/black pickguard) and it plays so nice. I am wanting just a bit more definition in the sound and I am curious about the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Bass. Has anyone here used this system for an OLP and what's the possibility of just getting the pickup and using it as a passive pickup? I'm ready to send Seymour some more money! :laugh2:

Check Out Archie's Music @ SoundClick

 

[Musically Mr M]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

:smack: Well, I guess I'll just have to go to Seymour's FAQ. :burnout:

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

Hey Mr. M:

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Forum. I personally have not used the SMB-5 in an OLP, but I have an SMB-4a (the Alnico version) in a Jackson bass. And I love it a lot.

Yes, you can use the pickup passive. No problem. But just keep in mind that the old StingRay pickups were wired in parallel. We suggest parallel wiring for an old school '76 sound.

That said, I would highly suggest the Tone Circuit. It'll give you three bands of EQ plus the Slap Switch. It's very cool.

Either way, I'm sure you'll like the upgrade.

Cheers,

 

[jeremy]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

the only difference is the way the pup mounts. on the musicman the 5 string doesnt have the little flanges that the screws go thru, the olp does. ive done what you are doing on a few and other than a little pick guard modification, itll work fine and boy does it sound good!!

 

[Musically Mr M]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

Thanks guys for the 411. It is just a kick for me to take guitars that others might over look as maybe pro gear and with a little tweaking, turn it into something most players won't want to put down. :laugh2: I have a StingRay 5 and to tell you the truth, I always wind up picking up the MM3 first. Go figure. :smack:

 

[duncanferfunkin]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

On a similar note. I want to upgrade my OLP MM bass with the Basslines pre-amp and pickup. The pickup will drop right in. However, the pre-amp requires 1 volume and 3 tone knobs, 4 total :duh: . My OLP has only 3 knobs in the plate. Can anyone offer a creative solution short of massive routing and a new control plate?
This OLP is definitely worth the upgrade. I've owned Rics, Fenders Jazz & Tele's, Aria's, Kramers (old aluminum necks versions) and other basses over the years and this OLP neck knocks me out. I've got the action set at a whisper and it does not buzz or rattle at all. Now I just want to bang that late 70's Music Man tone out of it.
Gimme some help folks!

 

[duncanferfunkin]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

No replies, but I got my answer with more homework.
I found the STC-3M3 pre-amp that accomodates the 3 knob set-up. I picked one up along with the Duncan Alnico MM pickup. It should make a man out this OLP!
Rock on...

 

[nickhayball]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

I have installed smb-5a pickups into 2 of my company's custom basses. One bass had the smb in the bridge and an SJB-5n hot stack for Jazz in the neck, with an STC circuit, the other had 2 SMBs wired passively. Both sounded great! If you want the passive option, definitely use a mini-toggle switch or push-pull pot to give yourself parallel/series options - I wouldn't bother with a single-coil option on a bass, but it's up to you.
Something my customers love, especially bassists, is a rotary switch setup. This is great for single/series/parallel setups, as well as giving you the chance to dial up different capacitors for your tone control. Email me if you want a circuit diagram, it's a great way to spice up a passive bass

 

[mbk]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

Just have to agree with OLP bass comment; I have two MM2s and while I like the rosewood neck better than the maple, They are incredible for the less than $200 I paid for them. I'm hoping to improve them with the Seymour Duncan music man pickup and the STC-3M3 control. MBK

 

[Nitefly7]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

does anyone have a pic/diagram for mounting the non-flanged SMB-5 to the OLP's 'flanged' pickguard?
is it hard to install?

also, can I use the SMB-5 as a passive PU?

 

[robert43]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

does anyone have a pic/diagram for mounting the non-flanged SMB-5 to the OLP's 'flanged' pickguard?
is it hard to install?

also, can I use the SMB-5 as a passive PU?

What I did was just mark the pickup on top of the pickgaurd it basscially just a cut between the 2 screws on top & 2 cuts between the screw the the corners.
Take pickgatrd off & cut

 

[robert43]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

does anyone have a pic/diagram for mounting the non-flanged SMB-5 to the OLP's 'flanged' pickguard?
is it hard to install?

also, can I use the SMB-5 as a passive PU?

Hi yes you can go passive

 

[robert43]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

On a similar note. I want to upgrade my OLP MM bass with the Basslines pre-amp and pickup. The pickup will drop right in. However, the pre-amp requires 1 volume and 3 tone knobs, 4 total :duh: . My OLP has only 3 knobs in the plate. Can anyone offer a creative solution short of massive routing and a new control plate?
This OLP is definitely worth the upgrade. I've owned Rics, Fenders Jazz & Tele's, Aria's, Kramers (old aluminum necks versions) and other basses over the years and this OLP neck knocks me out. I've got the action set at a whisper and it does not buzz or rattle at all. Now I just want to bang that late 70's Music Man tone out of it.
Gimme some help folks!

Another way you could have gone is 4 knobs & the out put jack on a plate at the body of the bass like Rick bass etc thats what I did with my OLP

 

[Nitefly7]

Re: My OLP MM3 and the SMB-5 Replacement System for Music Man Basses

What I did was just mark the pickup on top of the pickgaurd it basscially just a cut between the 2 screws on top & 2 cuts between the screw the the corners.
Take pickgatrd off & cut

anyone got a picture?

I'm considering some options;

-getting the 2 separate singlecoils to act as a parallel/serial/singlecoil 'humbucker' (changing the V/V/T to a V/T/3-way control)
-replacing the '2xsinglecoil/MM-style pickup' with a SMB-5