Music Man is an American guitar and bass manufacturer based in San Luis Obispo, California. The company was originally formed in 1971 by Forrest White and Tom Walker, with Leo Fender involved as a silent partner, and began producing instruments under the Music Man name in 1974. In 1984, Ernie Ball acquired the brand — including its trademarks and inventory — and built a new factory to resume production in 1985 under the Ernie Ball Music Man name. The Ball family, led by Sterling Ball and later joined by his sons Scott and Brian, has operated the company since.

The StingRay bass, first introduced in 1976, stands as Music Man's most iconic instrument. It was the first production four-string bass to feature onboard active equalization, and its distinctive single large humbucking pickup, aggressive tone, and solid construction made it a fixture in professional bass playing. The StingRay 5 followed in 1987, becoming an industry standard for five-string basses. On the guitar side, the brand has produced models including the Cutlass, the Majesty (developed in partnership with John Petrucci of Dream Theater), and the St. Vincent signature guitar, designed with Annie Clark for ergonomics and tonal versatility.

Ernie Ball Music Man has cultivated a roster of long-running artist partnerships. Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine, and Rex Brown of Pantera are among the prominent bassists associated with the StingRay. On the guitar side, John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, and Albert Lee each have signature model collaborations with the brand. All instruments are manufactured in the United States and distributed to more than 135 countries.

Music Man has 155 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Electric Basses, Solid Body Electric Guitars, and Combo Guitar Amplifiers. Their gear is featured by 574 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Metal. Notable users include Eric Clapton, Jason Richardson, and Brad Walst. Most Music Man products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.