Sterling by Music Man S.U.B.

^# 15

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$349.99 to $419.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (54)

2 Critic Reviews

16 Reviews

Find out who is using Sterling by Music Man S.U.B.

5 community setups

8 wishlisted

153 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (5)

$399.99

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4.5 (47)

$399.99

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4.5 (378)

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5.0 (30)

$349.99 69 available New

$200.00 15 available Used

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4.0 (12)

$399.99

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5.0 (25)

$399.99

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4.8 (20)

$425.00 $419.00 $6.00 · All time low

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£429.00

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Average Price: $369

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man S.U.B.". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Looking to elevate your bass playing? The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. is your ticket to a dynamic sound that resonates with both aesthetic allure and tonal excellence. This electric bass guitar melds the iconic design of the StingRay series with modern enhancements, making it perfect for bassists who crave both style and substance. With its lightweight ash body, this bass offers a comfortable playing experience, whether you’re grooving in the studio or performing on stage.

The active preamp powered by a 9V battery delivers a versatile tonal palette, allowing you to shape your sound with precision. From deep, resonant lows to crisp, cutting highs, this bass ensures your sound stands out in the mix. The ceramic humbucker pickup captures warm, musical tones and rich harmonics, sensitive to the nuances of your technique while minimizing unwanted noise.

A fast maple fingerboard with medium-jumbo frets invites fluidity, while the fully adjustable bridge ensures precise intonation and string height adjustments for optimal playability. Chrome hardware and classic open-gear tuners not only add to its vintage charm but also offer reliable tuning stability. The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. is more than just an instrument; it's a statement in sound and style, crafted for the forward-thinking bassist who wants to push musical boundaries.

Key Features:

Lightweight ash body for comfortable playability
Active preamp (9V) for versatile sound shaping
Ceramic humbucker pickup for warm tones and reduced noise
Fast maple fingerboard with medium-jumbo frets
Fully adjustable bridge for precise intonation
Chrome hardware and open-gear tuners for classic aesthetics and tuning stability

Product specs

Brand	Sterling
Model	StingRay Ray4
Year	2018 - 2025
Made In	Indonesia
Categories	4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups	Active Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Material	Basswood
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Pink, Red, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material	Jatoba, Maple
Fretboard Radius	9.5"
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	21
Number of Strings	4-String
Nut Width	1.5"
Pickup Configuration	H
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	34"
Wood Top Style	Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 suitable for?: The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 is versatile and well-suited for a range of genres, including rock, funk, and pop, thanks to its active preamp and humbucking pickup that deliver powerful and articulate bass tones.
Does the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 have active or passive pickups?: The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 features active pickups, providing enhanced tonal control and output suitable for live performances and recording.
What is the neck profile like on the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4?: The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 has a comfortable maple neck with a 9.5" radius, offering smooth playability and easy access across all 21 frets.
Is the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 is suitable for beginners due to its user-friendly design, comfortable neck profile, and versatile sound, making it a great choice for those starting their bass journey.
What is the body material of the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4?: The body of the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. StingRay Ray4 is made from basswood, which contributes to its lightweight feel and balanced tonal characteristics.

Videos

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PMTVUK

Sterling By Musicman SUB Ray4 Bass in Mint GreenB | PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Product Spotlight - Sterling By MusicMan S.U.B. Ray4 Electric Bass

Guitar Center

Sterling by Music Man Sub Ray4 Bass Guitar Demo & Review

PMTVUK

Sterling by Musicman Sub Ray 4 | All You Need to Know! | Review and Demo

Tyler Spicer

Sterling by Music Man Ray4 SUB - Stingray SUBstance at a Serious Discount! - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

Sterling by Musicman | Ray 4 SUB Bass Review

Travis Dykes

The Most Affordable Musicman Stingray Bass - Sterling By Musicman Ray4 SUB Bass Review

Marcelo Feldman - The Bass Wizard

Is the CHEAPEST Stingray the BEST? | Sterling Sub Series Ray 4 [Review/Demo]

Jonny Dibble

Why bother buying USA? | Musicman Stingray VS Sterling Sub Series Ray4

Jonny Dibble

Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 4 - Sound Demo (no talking)

Bass Bonedo

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 Sterling by Music Man S.U.B..

Features and functionality

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The preamp is noted for its bright tone, with some users finding the treble control insufficient in range for cutting or boosting.
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The Sterling SUB bass lacks an active/passive switch, contributing to its higher output compared to other basses with active EQs.
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Sterling SUB basses produce a much hotter signal than passive basses, requiring use of an amp's active or -15dB input to manage volume.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners recommend using flatwound strings and lowering the pickup to mitigate the overly hot and harsh stock sound with roundwounds.
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A fix from Talkbass can tame the high output of early Sterling SUB models, although it may slightly affect the low-end tone.
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Rewiring the volume control to function after the preamp instead of before can help manage the overly 'hot' output.
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Comparisons

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The B string is perceived as solid compared to other basses, but slightly weaker than the Ibanez SR505 model.
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The SUB Ray 5 with a maple neck is noted to be lighter than the Ray 4 with a jatoba neck, despite expectations.
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User experience

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Some users prefer the aggressive and distinctive sound of the SUB 5, comparing it favorably to higher-end models like the SBMM RAY34CA.
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Owners report that the SUB's volume is either inaudible or overwhelmingly loud, necessitating careful adjustment or hardware modification for balanced sound levels.
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Players transitioning from budget models, like old Yamahas, find the SUB ideal for gigging, highlighting its reliability and sound quality.
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Setup and maintenance

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Lowering the pickup can mitigate excessive volume and improve tone, adding slight clipping and compression that some owners find desirable.
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A professional setup is advised to adjust action for personal comfort, especially if you're unfamiliar with the process.
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Build quality

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Newer models "Made in China" are recommended for better preamp performance over older Indonesian versions prone to overly hot output.
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Use cases and applications

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The SUB Ray 4's four-string model is preferred for slap and pop techniques, while the five-string excels in fingerstyle runs.
Source

Critic Reviews

Sterling By Music Man SUB Series Stingray Ray4 review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Series Stingray Ray4 offers impressive value, delivering a lot of the classic Stingray bass sound at a budget-friendly price. With its punchy pickup, versatile active EQ, and solid build quality, it caters well to a range of musical styles. The lightweight design and comfortable neck make it suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. While the tone might not be for everyone, and it lacks some refinement compared to the American model, it's a superb choice for those seeking a reliable, affordable bass that doesn't compromise on sound or playability.

positive

Full Review

Sterling By Music Man S.U.B. Ray 4 Bass

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray 4 Bass impresses with its affordability while retaining the distinctive Music Man vibe. Aimed at beginners and intermediate players, it offers a solid build with a walnut satin finish, active electronics, and a recognizable Stingray tone. The bass excels in tonal variety, with a smooth EQ system that caters to different styles, from dub to slap. Though it lacks the premium features of higher-end Music Man models, its value for money is undeniable. A reliable choice for students and gigging professionals seeking a cost-effective yet respectable backup instrument.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 16 Reviews and 54 Ratings

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1alaskanassassin

103

about 11 years ago

Killer bass

I don't want to have several basses, and I don't think I'll need to. This one feels balanced, plays great, and I love the body. I got rid of the G, bought a low string on eBay and am running it A E A D.

sami_pegazo

almost 9 years ago

Great bass but a rather hit or miss

Great bass, it has great tone, and a very decent neck. the only issue is that when i bought mine (at guitar center) there were at least 5 of them and only 1 of them met my standards, the one that i walked out of the store with.

maturalicejr

over 10 years ago

late night text

pretty good bass, has a similar stingray tone but not quite the real think, great deal for the price, the thing will perform when you need it to

edliing

over 9 years ago

Sterling by musicman sub-ray 4

This bass is a really solid bass, the only things i´d consider feeling cheap was the pickups. I changed them to some good "Lundgren Pickups" and now it plays like a dream.