Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $317

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC is a stellar choice for bassists seeking that legendary StingRay sound without breaking the bank. This electric bass captures the essence of the classic Music Man StingRay with its sleek body lines and iconic styling, making it a standout on any stage. At the heart of the Ray4 is a high-output humbucking pickup that delivers thunderous bass tones and clear mids, ensuring your sound cuts through the mix with precision.

The contoured basswood body provides a comfortable playing experience while adding a layer of tonal complexity. Coupled with a satin-finished maple neck, the Ray4 offers rich sustain and a punchy, responsive feel. The active 2-band EQ lets you effortlessly sculpt your sound, whether you're aiming for a smooth, vintage vibe or an aggressive modern slap tone.

The heavy-duty bridge ensures excellent tuning stability, and the fully adjustable saddles allow you to fine-tune your intonation and string action. Whether you're playing metal, funk, or jazz, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC is equipped to deliver high-quality performance gig after gig.

Key Features:

  • Contoured basswood body for complex tone and comfort
  • Satin-finished maple neck for rich sustain and playability
  • High-output humbucking pickup for thunderous bass and clear mids
  • Active preamp with 2-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
  • Heavy-duty bridge for impressive tuning stability and precise intonation adjustments

Product specs

Shape Ray4
Wood Hard maple
Neck joint 6-bolt pattern
Scale length 34"
Truss rod Single action
Active or passive pickups Active
Pickup configuration H-1 ceramic humbucker
Neck  Not applicable
Middle Not applicable
Bridge Low-noise ceramic humbucker
Active preamp 2-band Custom Ibanez
Material Jatoba (Pueblo Pink, Satin Transparent Black, Vintage Cream, Walnut Stain), Hard Maple (Black, Vintage Sunburst Satin, Transparent Blue)
Radius 12"
Fret size Medium Jumbo
Number of frets 21
Inlays White dot or black dot depending on finish
Nut material Info not available
Nut width 38 mm
Cutaway Single cutaway
Construction Solid body
Body wood Jabon (Pueblo Pink, Satin Transparent Blue), basswood (Satin Transparent Black, Vintage Cream, Walnut Stain)
Body finish Satin
Orientation Right handed
Control layout Volume 1, tone, EQ
Pickup switch No
Coil tap or split No
Tone switching No
Special switching EQ
Bridge type Fixed
Bridge design Fully adjustable heavy duty
Tailpiece Not applicable
Tuning machines Open gear
Number of strings 4
Pickguard No
Special features Not applicable
Case sold separately
Accessories None
Country of origin Indonesia

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC have?

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC features an active ceramic humbucker pickup, known for delivering a powerful and aggressive tone with strong midrange presence.

Is the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and manageable weight, making it easy to play while offering quality sound.

What is the scale length of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC?

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC has a 34-inch scale length, which is the standard for most full-sized bass guitars, providing a familiar feel for bass players.

Does the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC have a 2-band EQ?

Yes, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC is equipped with a 2-band EQ, allowing players to adjust the bass and treble frequencies for versatile sound shaping.

What materials are used for the body of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC?

The body of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 VC is made from either basswood or jabon, depending on the finish, offering a balance of tone and weight.

session

session

STERLING BY MUSICMAN SUB Ray 4 WH

Video thumbnail for STERLING BY MUSICMAN SUB Ray 4 WH by session

STERLING BY MUSICMAN SUB Ray 4 WH

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session

Video thumbnail for Is the CHEAPEST Stingray the BEST? | Sterling Sub Series Ray 4 [Review/Demo] by Jonny Dibble

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

Jonny Dibble

Jonny Dibble

Video thumbnail for Sterling By Musicman SUB series StingRay Bass Review by Bully Thakidd

Sterling By Musicman SUB series StingRay Bass Review

Bully Thakidd

Bully Thakidd

Video thumbnail for Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 4 - Sound Demo (no talking) by Bass Bonedo

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

Bass Bonedo

Bass Bonedo

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 StingRay Ray4 VC.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend replacing the stock ceramic pickup with a Delano Alnico pickup, wiring it in parallel for improved tone.

    Source
  • It's recommended to replace the stock tuners for better functionality, a modification that is noted as being straightforward to implement.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Ray4's construction is praised for its quality at the price point, feeling more premium than comparable Ibanez, Yamaha, and Squier models.

    Source
  • The neck is described as nice and the bass is not too heavy, contributing to its comfortable playability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Stock pickup is wired in series, which affects the tonal characteristics compared to wiring in parallel.

    Source

User experience

  • Users highlight the Ray4's ergonomic design and sound as immediately appealing, especially for those transitioning from other budget basses.

    Source
  • A new owner after one month claims the Ray4 offers the best value for its price.

    Source
  • A player with 47 years of experience praises the Ray4 as a "real banger" and compares it favorably against many other brands they've owned.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Suggested that beginners explore different string types before considering mods, to better understand personal tonal preferences.

    Source
  • The Ray4's distinctive sound might be limiting for those playing a variety of musical styles without a developed personal sound.

    Source
  • The Ray4 is considered gig-ready when paired with a decent preamp and compressor, demonstrating its suitability for live performance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While not a mid-tier Sterling or a proper Music Man, it still provides good quality for the cost.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
G

Good, but...

Sound, price it's awesome, but there is some bad details, but it's not affecting playing ability.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Bass knob - on 2 or 3 o'clock Treble - on 8 or 9 It makes sound like early days Flea's sound.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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