Pricing and availability

Average Price: $1,799

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Inspired by the legendary StingRay, the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H bass guitar brings a fresh aesthetic and dynamic sound to the modern bassist's toolkit. Its sleek, compact body is designed for comfort without sacrificing the robust tonal range that Music Man instruments are known for. The Sterling 5 H stands out with its active 3-band EQ preamp, allowing you to shape your sound with precision, whether you're grooving on stage or recording in the studio.

At its heart lies a powerful Music Man humbucker pickup equipped with a hum-canceling phantom coil, ensuring impeccable clarity and punch. The innovative 3-way switching system provides versatile sonic options, letting you toggle between both coils in series mode, single coil, and both coils in parallel mode. This flexibility makes the Sterling 5 H suitable for a wide array of musical genres, from funk to metal.

Designed with the player in mind, the Sterling 5 H features a neck that offers a familiar feel, while Schaller BM tapered-post tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability. The instrument's ergonomic design and thoughtful craftsmanship make it a joy to play, whether you're laying down the low end in a live setting or crafting intricate bass lines in the studio. To top it all off, a sturdy hardshell case is included to keep your instrument safe wherever your music takes you.

Key Features:

  • Active 3-band EQ preamp for precise tonal shaping
  • Music Man humbucker pickup with hum-canceling phantom coil
  • Innovative 3-way switching (series, single coil, parallel)
  • Schaller BM tapered-post tuners for stable tuning
  • Includes a hardshell case for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Ernie Ball Music Man
Model Sterling 5 H
Year 2019 - 2020
Made In United States
Categories 5- and 6-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Active Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Blue, Red
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 5-String
Nut Width 1.75"
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 34"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H's pickup configuration?

The Sterling 5 H features a Music Man humbucking pickup with ceramic pole pieces, providing a powerful, punchy tone with excellent clarity. The active preamp allows for precise tonal shaping, making it versatile for various music styles.

Is the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the Sterling 5 H is designed with advanced players in mind, offering features like a high-profile, wide fretboard, and an adjustable truss rod for optimal playability and precision.

How does the neck profile of the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H affect playability?

The Sterling 5 H has a select maple neck with a gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend finish, providing a smooth, comfortable feel that enhances playability and allows for fast, intricate playing.

What are the benefits of the 3-band active preamp in the Sterling 5 H?

The 3-band active preamp offers extensive tonal control, allowing you to adjust the volume, treble, mid, and bass frequencies independently for a tailored sound that suits your playing style and musical context.

Does the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H have good access to higher frets?

Yes, the Sterling 5 H features a sculpted neck joint with a 5-bolt attachment, ensuring perfect alignment and smooth access to higher frets for effortless playability across the entire fretboard.

What materials are used in the construction of the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H's body and neck?

The body is crafted from ash with a high gloss polyester finish, and the neck is made from select maple, providing durability and a resonant, bright sound.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5 H.

User experience

  • Owners note the Sterling Ray 5 HH's weight can be cumbersome for long sessions; a wide leather strap is recommended for comfort.

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  • A user reported feeling the Ray5HH provides a significant upgrade from a Squier Affinity Jazz 5 in terms of overall quality and tone versatility.

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  • One owner finds the EBMM Stingray 5 to be a high-quality instrument, but questions if there's a $2,000 quality difference compared to the SBMM.

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Features and functionality

  • The 9V battery is a downside for some due to the lack of rechargeable options, prompting users to seek alternatives.

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  • The pickup selector's single-coil modes (positions 2 and 4) result in noticeable volume reduction compared to other settings.

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  • The active preamp can introduce distortion when the bass knob is turned up, requiring careful tone balancing.

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  • Electronics on the Ray35 can be scratchy, especially the 5-way selector switch, compared to American-made models.

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Comparisons

  • For extreme downtunings, a multi-scale bass like the Spector NS Dimension 5 is recommended over the Sterling 5 for better handling.

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  • Owners note the Yamaha TRBX505 offers wider string spacing at the bridge compared to the Sterling Ray5 HH, influencing playability preferences.

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  • The Sterling by Music Man 5-string feels about 50-60% similar to the EBMM in sound and feel, but lacks the "punch and flavor."

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Setup and maintenance

  • Owners find the neck pickup placement challenging for slap techniques due to limited space for finger placement near the neck's end.

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  • Users report difficulty achieving low action without fret buzz, but praise the ease of the Music Man truss rod adjustment compared to traditional Fender styles.

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Build quality

  • Hardware issues noted with tuning pegs falling apart; some users have resorted to gluing them back together.

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