Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $994
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Stingray 5 Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
The Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Stingray 5 Bass is a testament to modern design meeting classic tone. Crafted with a contoured nyatoh body, this 5-string electric bass offers an ergonomic experience that keeps you comfortable during those extended gigs or studio sessions. Its roasted maple neck not only ensures smooth playability but also enhances stability, making it resistant to warping. The neck's satin finish provides a natural feel, perfect for intricate fretting and fast riffs.
At the heart of the Stingray 5 is a powerful Alnico humbucker, designed by Music Man, which delivers that iconic Stingray sound. Coupled with an active 3-band preamp, this bass offers versatile tone-shaping capabilities, allowing you to sculpt your sound to perfection. Whether you're after a deep, resonant bass or a punchier, brighter tone, the Stingray 5's dynamic range has you covered.
The Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge and open gear tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability, while the stylish white pickguard adds a touch of class to its sleek design. Ideal for both the touring musician and the studio artist, the Sterling Stingray 5 Bass is a reliable companion that helps you find your unique voice.
Key Features:
- Body: Nyatoh
- Roasted maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- 22 medium frets with white dot inlays
- 34" scale length with a 12" fingerboard radius
- Alnico humbucker pickup
- Active 3-band preamp with volume control
- 5-way switch for versatile tone options
- Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge
- Open gear tuners
- Original strings: Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 5 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | StingRay RAY35 |
| Body Material | Nyatoh |
| Body Finish | Gloss |
| Neck Material | Roasted Maple |
| Neck Joint | 6-way Bolt-on |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Nut Width | 1.77" |
| Nut Material | Polyphenylene Sulfide |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Sterling by Music Man-Designed Bridge |
| Tuners | Open Gear |
| Bridge Pickup | Sterling Alnico Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 3-band EQ |
| Strings | Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky, .045-.130 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
-
What kind of tone can I expect from the Sterling Alnico Humbucker on the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass?
-
The Sterling Alnico Humbucker on the StingRay 5 Bass delivers a powerful and punchy tone with strong midrange presence, ideal for cutting through mixes in rock, funk, and pop genres.
-
Is the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass suitable for advanced players?
-
Yes, the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass is suitable for advanced players, offering a professional-grade build with a roasted maple neck and 3-band EQ for versatile tonal shaping.
-
How does the neck profile of the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass affect playability?
-
The 12-inch radius and medium frets on the roasted maple neck provide a comfortable and smooth playing experience, suitable for fast playing and complex fingerwork.
-
Does the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass require a specific type of case or gig bag?
-
The Sterling StingRay 5 Bass does not come with a case or gig bag, so it's recommended to purchase a case specifically designed for 5-string basses to ensure proper fit and protection.
-
How does the Nyatoh body of the Sterling StingRay 5 Bass influence its sound?
-
The Nyatoh body of the StingRay 5 Bass contributes to a warm and resonant tone, complementing the punchy output of the Alnico humbucker for a balanced sound profile.
Reviews
PROS
-
Delivers sound quality close to the USA Stingray at a fraction of the price
-
Versatile pickup selector enhances musical adaptability
-
High-quality craftsmanship with well-set frets and neck
-
Music Man pickups produce full, clear, and adjustable tones
-
Solid build quality despite being a budget brand
-
Suitable for various tunings, including dropped tunings
CONS
-
Tuners and battery compartment feel cheaply made
-
Some units may have bridge and string alignment issues
-
Tone knobs may lack durability
-
Truss rod spokewheel can be difficult to adjust
-
Packaging lacks adequate protection for shipping
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
194
I don't use it the way I thought I would, but its a fine instrument.
Great weight and feeling to it, really awesome sound out of these Music Man pickups. I'm a multiinstrumentalist, but primarily a guitarist and bought it so I could get better tone out of my overall style: I play lots of dropped tunings and my Washburn XB-100 wasn't quite meeting my needs.
The sound itself is really great; very full and clear tone from the Music Man pickup. If you think its too bright or too bassy, an active EQ circuit is onboard, which allows for great control of tone depending on what best fits a song or genre.
Build quality is quite solid. Heavy as rocks but easy to handle. The Sterling brand is a budget brand but it doesn't feel like it for the most part; only thing I've noticed is some of the tuning machines seem to be built to maybe a less intense tolerance threshold, though TBF I didn't experiment with the tuners much on the the actual $1000+ Stingray that was also in the store.
Turns out 5-strings are made mostly with Standard tuning in mind. After much deliberation of how I wanted to use it I've settled on using it the way I originally planned; CGCFA, thus pretending the extra string is supposed to be thinner rather than thicker. A little scary to do it that way with bass strings due to the extreme uptuning on 4/5 strings: trying something lighter than standard gauge might be advisable.
My only gripe is that the truss rod spokewheel is weirdly difficult to turn, but that may just be my instrument.
Artist usage
Add artist
Brian used a black Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 5-String Bass when touring 2015's "Fantasy Empire"
Here's a still image of Gibson holding the Music Man.
The bass is also seen here being played during a Lightning Bolt set on May 17th, 2015
You can read more about the bass and his equipment here in an article by Smart Bass Guitar
Album Usage
The Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Stingray 5 Bass has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Stingray 5 Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1783177119)
Community setups
Show yours
More Ernie Ball Electric Basses
$1,534.00 - $2,799.00
$2,699.00 - $2,749.00
.jpeg?v=1783381986)
$2,899.00 - $3,899.00
$1,575.00 - $2,949.00
$2,199.00 - $2,749.00
$2,699.00 - $3,049.00
$2,199.00 - $2,999.00
$2,849.00 - $3,299.00
$2,399.00 - $3,299.00
$2,399.00 - $2,849.00
$2,899.00 - $3,099.00
$2,799.00 - $3,899.00
$3,649.00 - $3,899.00
Accessories & Related Items
Similar
Gear Guides
.webp)
Most Popular Electric Basses
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
ericscot1087Gear IQ 210
-
