Music Man Sterling

^# 35

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$458.00 to $1,995.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (10)

1 Review

Find out who is using Music Man Sterling

1 community setup

9 wishlisted

29 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 11, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$1,995.00 2 available Used

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4.5 (30)

$458.00

View Deal

Average Price: $1,227

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Music Man Sterling is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Music Man Sterling". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.

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Description

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Experience the power and versatility of the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Bass. Crafted with a lightweight alder body, this bass guitar is a delight to play, while delivering a rich and resonant sound. The onboard eighteen-volt preamplifier and three-band equalization offer incredible tonal control, allowing you to dial in the perfect sound for any genre. With a dual humbucker layout backed by ceramic magnets, this bass guitar provides a punchy yet nuanced output. Whether you're playing smooth R&B or raw punk, the Music Man Sterling Bass can effortlessly adapt to your playing style.

Key Features:

Lightweight alder body for easy playability and rich resonance
Onboard eighteen-volt preamplifier for powerful sound output
Three-band equalization for precise tonal control
Dual humbucker layout backed by ceramic magnets for punchy, nuanced sound

Product specs

Brand	Ernie Ball Music Man
Model	Sterling 4 HH, Sterling 4 HH with Maple Fretboard, Sterling 4 HH with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish	Black, Black Cherry Burst, Blue Pearl, Candy Red, Carbon Blue Pearl, Cherry Burst, Chili Red, Desert Gold, Egyptian Smoke, Graphite Pearl, Honey Burst, Lava Pearl, Medallion Gold, Natural, Pacific Blue Burst, Pearl Blue, Radiance Red, Rolls Burgundy, Sapphire Black, Silver Sparkle, Sky Blue, Stealth Black, Stealth Charcoal, Stealth Crimson, Stealth Pearl, Sterling Silver, Tangerine Pearl, Teal Pearl, Tobacco Burst, Translucent Gold, Translucent Orange, Translucent Red, Translucent Teal, Vintage Sunburst, White, White Pearl
Year	2006 - 2018
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups	Active Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Grey, Natural, Orange, Red, Silver, Teal, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material	Ebony, Maple, Rosewood
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	4-String
Nut Width	1.5"
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	34"
Wood Top Style	Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What kind of music styles is the Music Man Sterling bass suitable for?: The Music Man Sterling bass is versatile and can cater to a range of musical styles, from rock and funk to jazz and pop, thanks to its active pickups and powerful tone shaping capabilities.
How does the neck profile of the Music Man Sterling bass affect playability?: The Music Man Sterling features a slim neck profile with a 1.5" nut width, offering fast playability and comfort, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced players who prefer a sleek, easy-to-navigate neck.
What is the pickup configuration on the Music Man Sterling bass?: The Music Man Sterling bass features an HH pickup configuration, providing a broad range of tones with two humbucking pickups that deliver a powerful and clear sound suitable for various genres.
Is the Music Man Sterling bass equipped with an active preamp?: Yes, the Music Man Sterling bass includes an active preamp, allowing for enhanced tone shaping and greater control over your sound, making it ideal for live performances and studio recording.
What are the fretboard material options for the Music Man Sterling bass?: The Music Man Sterling bass offers fretboard options in ebony, maple, and rosewood, each providing a distinct feel and tonal characteristic to suit different playing preferences.

Videos

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Rob Chapman

Music Man Sterling Guitar Review - The New Cutlass & Stingray Models!

Rob Chapman

Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4 Bass: Joe Dart Demos

Ernie Ball

Music Man Sterling vs. Stingray - Checking out the Ray's smaller sibling - LowEndLobster Fresh Look

LowEndLobster

Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4 Bass

Ernie Ball

Music Man Sterling 4H - The Incredibly Neglected Stingray Alternative - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4H Sound Demo

South Shore Music

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 Music Man Sterling.

Setup and maintenance

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Some users report needing to polish frets out of the box, suggesting potential for minor setup adjustments to improve playability.
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Lowering pickups by reducing rubber underneath can mitigate excessive gain in SUB models.
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Users recommend keeping the bass in a humid environment to prevent neck issues.
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User experience

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Owners report that Sterling models emulate Music Man's tone well, though the build quality is distinctively different.
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A player reported that the Ray34 felt heavier than other basses, suggesting it might require a wide strap for comfortable use during longer sessions.
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Build quality

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Sterling Ray 34 models, inspected and set up in the USA, use cost-saving wood, potentially increasing weight.
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Reports indicate that the black tuners on Ray34 models may function better than previous iterations, which had common binding issues.
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The Joe Dart bass features a satin neck finish, allowing for smooth hand movement without sticking.
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The pickup is reported as very loud, leading to significant volume adjustments when plugged into an amp.
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Comparisons

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Sterling Ray 34/35 models are likened to USA vs. Mex Fenders but with superior quality control and electronics made in Malaysia.
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A user compared the Ray34’s polite tone to the Ray5’s more aggressive sound, noting the Ray5’s preference for modifications to enhance clarity.
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The Joe Dart bass has a narrower neck at the first fret compared to a Fender Jazz, aiding in easier note reach.
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Mods and upgrades

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Retrovibe Stinger preamp is recommended for SUB models to avoid overdriving and to achieve a vintage 2-band preamp sound.
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Owners frequently upgrade tuners due to stripping issues; Schaller tuners are a popular choice for reliable performance.
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Features and functionality

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The Ray5's series wiring creates a more aggressive tone but may overwhelm the preamp, leading to sound muddiness.
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The large volume knob allows easy adjustments mid-performance, enhancing its versatility.
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The bass comes strung with flatwound strings and has contour cuts designed for comfort and playability.
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Use cases and applications

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The bass is highly recommended as a reliable backup or student instrument due to its playability and tone.
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Value and pricing

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Despite being a midrange model, shipping and taxes can significantly increase the price for international buyers.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings

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ebowglow

1822

over 10 years ago

This is my current and favorite bass.

This bass has a nice active Humbucker and sounds terrific. If you've ever played one then you know the sound that has been played on many famous albums over the last few decades. It's pretty lightweight and very playable. I'm mainly a guitar guy and never really given much thought to playing bass until i got one of these. It's just a great bass guitar.