Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
$459.99 $399.99 $60.00 · All time low
Guitar Center
4.5 (14)
$459.99
Amazon
4.3 (162)
Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (5)
$459.99 $399.99 $60.00 · All time low
zZounds
4.0 (21)
$459.99
Thomann
$477.00 $475.00 $2.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£472.00

Average Price: $432

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man StingRay5". 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 Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 is a 5-string electric bass that combines classic design with modern performance. Perfect for any player seeking the iconic sound of the Music Man lineage, this bass is equipped with a robust ceramic humbucker pickup and a 2-band active preamp system, giving you a versatile range of tones. Whether you're laying down a funky groove or a heavy rock riff, the StingRay5 delivers a punchy, responsive sound that stands out in any mix.

Crafted with a balanced-sounding basswood body and a hard maple neck, the StingRay5 ensures comfort and durability, making it an excellent choice for both practice and performance. The slim body style and distinctive cutaway shape not only provide easy access to higher frets but also maintain the timeless look that musicians have adored for decades. With its onboard volume and EQ controls, this bass allows you to finely tune your sound to fit any musical scenario.

Sterling by Music Man continues to make high-quality instruments accessible with the StingRay5, offering a piece that embodies both the heritage and the innovative spirit of its predecessors. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass's blend of classic charm and modern features is sure to inspire.

Key Features:

  • 5-string electric bass with classic Music Man StingRay design
  • Balanced-sounding basswood body with hard maple neck
  • Ceramic humbucker pickup for responsive, interference-free sound
  • 2-band active preamp system for versatile tonal control
  • Slim body style and cutaway shape for comfortable playability
  • Onboard master volume and EQ controls for precise tone shaping
  • 21 medium-sized frets and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius

Product specs

Number of Strings 5
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Shape StingRay
Body Material Basswood
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Hard Maple
Neck Shape StingRay
Neck Joint 6-way Bolt-on
Radius 12"
Fingerboard Material Hard Maple
Fingerboard Inlay Black Dots
Number of Frets 22, Medium
Scale Length 34"
Nut Width 1.77"
Nut Material Polyphenylene Sulfide
Bridge/Tailpiece Fixed Bridge
Tuners Open Gear
Bridge Pickup Sterling by Music Man Humbucker
Controls 1 x master volume, 2-band active preamp
Strings .045-.125
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 suitable for?

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay5, with its powerful humbucking pickup and active 2-band EQ, is versatile enough for a range of genres, including rock, funk, and jazz. Its strong midrange presence helps it cut through mixes, making it ideal for live performances and recording.

How does the neck profile of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 affect playability?

The StingRay5 features a hard maple neck with a 12" radius and a StingRay neck shape, providing a smooth and comfortable playing experience. This design is suitable for both fast playing and complex finger techniques, appealing to both beginners and seasoned bassists.

Does the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 offer any tonal control options?

Yes, the StingRay5 includes a 2-band active preamp with controls for master volume, bass, and treble, allowing you to shape your sound to fit different musical contexts and personal preferences.

Is the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 suitable for live performances?

With its robust construction, active electronics, and humbucking pickup, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 is well-suited for live performances. Its strong tonal presence ensures it can be heard clearly in a band setting, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.

What materials are used in the construction of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay5?

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay5 features a basswood body with a gloss finish and a hard maple neck and fingerboard. These materials contribute to the bass's durability and its balanced tonal qualities, offering a blend of warmth and clarity.

Bassku

Bassku

Sterling by Musicman Ray 5 Bass Demo

Video thumbnail for Sterling by  Musicman Ray 5 Bass Demo by Bassku

Sterling by Musicman Ray 5 Bass Demo

Bassku

Bassku

Video thumbnail for STERLING by MUSICMAN 🔥 RAY5 by Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

STERLING by MUSICMAN 🔥 RAY5

Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

Bruno Tauzin - Votre Prof de Basse

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sterling by Music Man StingRay5.

Setup and maintenance

  • Initial setup may require significant truss rod adjustment; one user loosened it a full turn to correct neck issues.

    Source
  • Some tuners have been reported to strip easily, particularly after the first string change, suggesting potential quality issues with the metal.

    Source

Build quality

  • The bass is heavy; owners recommend using a wide, comfortable strap for better weight distribution.

    Source
  • Tuning pegs are prone to failure; some owners have had to glue them back together.

    Source
  • The purple sparkle finish with black hardware is highly praised for its aesthetic appeal, considered superior to other color combinations by some owners.

    Source

User experience

  • The tone is praised for its unique midrange presence, offering enhanced control during live performances.

    Source
  • The bass is celebrated for its dry signal performance, noted as sounding great without any buzzing issues.

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Comparisons

  • One owner compared it to Mexican Fenders in terms of quality, noting it’s not as refined as American Fenders but still impressive for the price.

    Source
  • The Sterling by Music Man 5-string is perceived as offering about 50-60% of the sound and feel of the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5.

    Source
  • A user expressed a preference for the black hardware on the Sterling over the gold hardware on higher-end models, considering it a better aesthetic choice.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The bass is effective for experimenting with low B string techniques and alternative fingerings.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Electronics on the Ray35 are scratchy, notably the 5-way selector switch, indicating less refined hardware compared to higher-end models.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • One owner felt the quality difference between the Sterling and Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5 doesn't justify the $2,000 price gap.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend replacing tuners with higher-quality options, like Graph Tech tuners, to avoid issues with the stock hardware.

    Source
  • One owner plans to have the bass undergo a Plek treatment for optimal playability, indicating potential improvements in fretwork precision.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
shawntaulicus

A lot of bass for a good price

I was in the market for a 5 string and tried a few out at the shop near me. I've never really liked active basses but this one blew me away. I probably spent around 10 minutes just tweaking the EQ knobs and getting different sounds out of it.

Pros: Neck is incredibly comfortable. It's a very easy bass to play. It sounds great. Stock pickup is excellent.

Cons: I didn't really care for the stock strings. They were a little too bright for my liking but that's something that's getting changed anyway.

Artist usage

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See how Ian Roberts uses Sterling by Music Man StingRay5

Ian Roberts

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Photo

In this post tank shows off his sterling ray4 and ray5 stingray basses. His basses are in a poplar burl finish

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 Sterling by Music Man StingRay5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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mamukagafrindashvili

mamukagafrindashvili

Gear IQ 279

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