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Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale

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Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale

$599.00 to $764.00 Price Tier: Standard

2 Critic Reviews

Find out who is using Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale

1 community setup

2 wishlisted

14 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 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 (6)

$749.99

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5.0 (4)

$749.99

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3.5 (3)

$749.99

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5.0 (11)

$599.00 17 available New

$639.99 9 available Used

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$749.99

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4.0 (5)

$749.99

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4.3 (3)

$775.00 $764.00 $11.00 · All time low

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£702.00

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Average Price: $719

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Discover the perfect blend of iconic sound and compact playability with the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale bass guitar. This instrument offers the legendary StingRay growl in a more manageable 30" scale length, making it ideal for players of all sizes. The lightweight, contoured nyatoh body ensures a comfortable playing experience, while the roasted maple neck facilitates fast, smooth transitions across the 22-fret fingerboard. Whether you're grooving in the studio or rocking the stage, this bass delivers powerful tones with minimal effort.

The StingRay Short-Scale's sterling humbucker is the heart of its formidable sound, providing a range of tones from deep, growling lows to crisp, punchy mids. With a 3-way rotary switch, you can effortlessly toggle between parallel, single coil, and series modes, tailoring your sound to fit any musical genre or playing style. For an extra boost, the push-push volume control enhances your solos, ensuring you're always heard. This bass is not just versatile in sound, but also incredibly portable, making it an excellent choice for touring musicians who need reliable, high-quality bass tones on the go.

Key Features:

30" short-scale length for comfortable playability
Lightweight, contoured nyatoh body
Roasted maple neck for smooth playability
22-fret fingerboard with a 9.5" radius
Sterling humbucker with 3-way rotary switch
Push-push volume boost for dynamic sound control

Product specs

Brand	Sterling
Model	StingRay Short Scale
Finish	Black, Daphne Blue, Dropped Copper, Fiesta Red, Olympic White, Toluca Lake Blue
Year	2019 - 2025
Made In	Indonesia
Categories	4-String Basses, Short Scale Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Material	Mahogany, Nyatoh
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	9.5"
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	4-String
Nut Width	1.5"
Pickup Configuration	H
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	30"
Wood Top Style	Opaque

FAQs

What is the scale length of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass Guitar?: The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass Guitar features a 30" scale length, making it easier to play, especially for those with smaller hands or those who prefer a more compact instrument.
What type of pickups does the Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass use?: The Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass is equipped with passive neodymium humbucker pickups, providing a powerful and versatile sound suitable for various music genres.
Does the Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass Guitar have an active preamp?: No, the Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass Guitar does not have an active preamp. It relies on passive electronics for its sound.
How many frets are on the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass?: The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass has 22 medium frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and playing styles.
What are the tonal options available on the Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass?: The Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass features a 3-way rotary switch that offers parallel, single coil, and series modes, allowing for diverse tonal possibilities.

Videos

Add video

Patrick Hunter

The Loud & Powerful Short Scale Stingray From Sterling By Music Man! [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

SHORTSCALE Stingray Bass! - Review and Demo

Marcelo Feldman - The Bass Wizard

Stingray Short Scale by Sterling - Bring on the Music Man shorties! - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

Sterling by Music Man Stingray Short Scale Bass - Sound Demo (no talking)

Bass Bonedo

All Fun, No Compromise! - SBMM Short Scale Stingray

Patrick Hunter

Sterling by Music Man: Short Scale StingRay Demo (ft. Allee Futterer) - RAYSS4

Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Short Scale Demo (ft. Nick Campbell)

Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Short Scale Demo (ft. Valeria Falcon)

Ernie Ball

Reviews

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PROS

Offers excellent value for its price point, comparable to more expensive models
Lightweight and well-balanced, ideal for extended playing sessions
Fast, comfortable neck enhances playability, especially for beginners and players with small hands
Provides a wide range of tonal variety, from growl to mellow sounds
High-quality build with solid controls and durable hardware
Responds well to pedals, offering versatility for different playing styles
Comes well set up from the factory, minimizing need for immediate adjustments
Intonation is exceptional, making it a standout among short-scale basses

CONS

Weighs about 9 lbs, which might be heavy for some players
Does not include a case or gig bag, requiring additional purchase

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 Short-Scale.

Build quality

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The Sterling Stingray short scale often has rough neck finishes and wobbly knobs, requiring immediate attention for optimal playability.
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The short scale Stingray has been noted for its slightly heavier weight compared to other short scales, even surpassing some full-scale basses in heft.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Owners recommend sanding the neck with 600 grit for an improved satin finish and using deoxit on pots to fix crackling sound issues.
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Owners have had difficulty pairing the short scale Stingray with the right strings, eventually finding TI short scale rounds to be the best fit after testing multiple sets.
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Comparisons

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The Sire U5 is praised for its fit and finish, offering a noiseless bridge pickup not found in similar models like the Mustang.
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Despite its flaws, the Sterling Stingray is favored for its thick, compressed punchiness, reminiscent of Joe Dart's tone on "1612".
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The Stingray's smaller body and lighter headstock make it more comfortable than the slab-bodied Mustang, despite the Stingray's overall heavier weight.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Owners find the Sterling Stingray short scale particularly suited for fast playing and soloing, with a balanced tone across the instrument.
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The Stingray is favored for quick sessions and casual playing, offering a comfortable experience with its contoured body and shorter neck length.
Source

Features and functionality

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The Sterling Stingray offers more tonal variety with its pickup combination and three-way switch compared to the more traditional P/J setup on the Mustang.
Source

Critic Reviews

Bassic Review – Sterling by Music Man® StingRay Short Scale Bass | Bass Gear Magazine

bassgearmag.com

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short Scale bass is a delightful instrument that excels in playability, comfort, and tone. Its lightweight design and 30” scale make it an excellent choice for players with smaller hands. The humbucking pickup delivers a punchy sound, with effective controls allowing for easy tonal adjustments. However, the review provides little in terms of criticism, leaving potential buyers wondering if there are any noticeable flaws. Overall, this bass offers impressive quality for its price and is highly recommended for both novice and experienced players alike.

positive

Full Review

Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass REVIEW | Performer Mag

performermag.com

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass delivers a stellar blend of playability and sound, making it a worthy addition for bassists and guitarists alike. Its compact 30” scale neck offers a comfortable grip, while the humbucking pickup provides a range of tones from mellow to punchy. Notably, the passive volume boost feature is a game-changer for live settings. However, some might experience signal dropouts during aggressive playing, requiring adjustments to the pickup height. Color and fingerboard options are limited, but at an affordable price, this bass is a creative tool that won’t disappoint.

positive

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Artist usage

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Still Woozy

Guitarist, Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

In the first frame of his “Woof” music video, you can see Sven using a Sterling Stingray Short Scale in the Daphne Blue color. He is also holding the bass in his August 8th, 2021 Instagram post.

Matthew Lewin

Guitarist, Bassist

Magdalena Bay

Verified via reddit

"When we perform live, all of the synth/keyboard sounds are actually just sampler instruments in ableton! The keyboard is used just as a midi controller. Favorite live gear is probably the short-scale music man sterling bass. Sounds great and is super light/easy to play

We actually only own one analog synth and it’s the prophet rev2, which we love but definitely not loyal to any brands, we gotta try a few more synths first"