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Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay

$502.50 to $649.99 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (3)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

Find out who is using Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (2)

$549.99

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4.5 (3)

$649.99

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5.0 (1)

$649.99

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4.0 (3)

$502.50 1 available Used

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$599.99

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Average Price: $590

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay 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 2 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay". 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

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Discover the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay—a modern homage to a classic era. This electric guitar is a masterful blend of vintage allure and contemporary innovation, making it ideal for guitarists who crave both nostalgic vibes and cutting-edge performance. The SR50 boasts a lightweight poplar body, ensuring a balanced tonal foundation that pairs perfectly with its roasted maple neck. This neck not only enhances playability but also adds a touch of elegance and warmth to your sound.

Equipped with dual Sterling-designed humbuckers, the SR50 delivers a robust and punchy tone that effortlessly cuts through any mix. From searing solos to full-bodied chord voicings, this guitar has you covered. The 3-way pickup selector switch offers versatility, allowing you to shift from bright and articulate to warm and throaty with ease.

For those who love expressive playing, the vintage-style tremolo is a standout feature. It offers smooth pitch bending without compromising tuning stability, thanks to its locking tuners. Whether you're diving into surf rock waves or exploring ambient soundscapes, the SR50's tremolo provides endless creative possibilities.

With its sleek, classic design and advanced features, the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay is more than just a guitar—it's a statement piece for any musician's arsenal.

Key Features:

Solid poplar body for a balanced tonal foundation
Roasted maple neck for enhanced playability
Dual Sterling-designed humbuckers for powerful, articulate tone
Vintage-style tremolo for expressive playing
Locking tuners for improved tuning stability
3-way pickup selector for versatile tonal options

Product specs

Number of Strings	6
Left-/Right-handed	Right-handed
Body Type	Solidbody
Body Shape	StingRay
Body Material	Poplar
Body Finish	Gloss
Neck Material	Roasted Maple
Neck Shape	StingRay
Neck Joint	5-way Bolt-on
Radius	12"
Fingerboard Inlay	Black Dots
Number of Frets	22, Medium
Scale Length	25.5"
Nut Width	1.650"
Nut Material	Polyphenylene Sulfide
Bridge/Tailpiece	Vintage Tremolo
Tuners	Locking
Neck Pickup	Sterling by Music Man Humbucker
Bridge Pickup	Sterling by Music Man Humbucker
Controls	1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
Switching	3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings	Ernie Ball Slinky, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag	Sold Separately

FAQs

What type of music genres is the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay suitable for?: The Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay, equipped with dual humbuckers, is versatile and well-suited for rock, blues, and pop genres, providing a rich, full-bodied tone with excellent sustain.
How would you describe the neck profile of the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay?: The SR50 StingRay features a StingRay neck profile with a 12" radius, offering comfortable playability for both chord work and lead playing, suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
Does the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay have locking tuners?: Yes, the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay is equipped with locking tuners, which help maintain tuning stability and make string changes quicker and easier.
What is the body material and finish of the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay?: The SR50 StingRay has a solid poplar body with a gloss finish, providing a balanced tone with a visually appealing appearance in Firemist Silver.
Is the Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay equipped with a tremolo system?: Yes, the SR50 StingRay features a vintage tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects during performance.

Videos

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Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay Guitar Demo (ft. Jonathan Asperil) - SR50

Ernie Ball

Why Didn't I Know About THIS GUITAR BEFORE??

Guitar MAX

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay SR50 Demo (ft. Donnie Laudicina) - SR50

Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay SR50 Demo (ft. Jacob Evergreen) - SR50

Ernie Ball

Sterling by Music Man: StingRay SR50 Demo (ft. Jacob Evergreen) - SR50

Ernie Ball

STERLING BY MUSICMAN STINGRAY SR50 - 60ISH SECOND REVIEW

Haworth Guitars

Sterling Stingray SR50 Buttermilk Demo

Progressive Guitar Works

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay SR50 (Buttermilk)

Zachie J. Brown

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile humbuckers handle jazz cleans to heavy distortion effortlessly
Fast, Strat-like neck enhances playability for solos
Retains vintage 70s vibe with modern sound
High-quality components, including Korean/Indonesian hardware
Locking tuners and tremolo system maintain excellent tuning stability
Single-piece mahogany body offers solid build quality
Outstanding fretwork and low action setup
Great value for money as a budget-friendly option
Beautiful Buttermilk finish with tortoise pickguard

CONS

Some units have intonation and tone knob issues
Slight buzz between frets 10-14 on some guitars
Heavier than higher-end Music Man models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay.

Build quality

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The neck has an asymmetrical design with less shoulder on the treble side, enhancing lead playability while standing.
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The fingerboard is made of rosewood, contributing to a smooth playing experience.
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The thick poly finish on the Sterling StingRay can be brittle, which might lead to chipping over time if not handled with care.
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Mods and upgrades

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Suhr Thornbuckers are recommended for transforming the guitar's tone into a more powerful sound.
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Full overhaul suggestions include upgrading the trem/bridge, pickups, pots, switches, and pickguard for a comprehensive improvement.
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Owners often swap the stock bridge humbucker for a Seymour Duncan JB for improved tonal range and output.
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User experience

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Owners feel the guitar's neck and overall feel exceed expectations for its price range, while electronics are noted as a limiting factor.
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A player emphasized the guitar's suitability for rhythm playing, describing it as "perfect" for their style.
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Multiple users recommend a wide leather strap to alleviate shoulder discomfort due to the StingRay's weight during extended play.
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Value and pricing

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One owner regretted not purchasing the guitar new for $399 during a sale, highlighting its rising price to $599.
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Features and functionality

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The body shape is highly appreciated for its comfort and playability.
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Older StingRay models were equipped with locking tuners, providing enhanced tuning stability over newer models.
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Comparisons

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The guitar is considered one of Leo Fender's best designs, suggesting a strong connection to classic Fender aesthetics and functionality.
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The Sterling StingRay neck is reportedly more comfortable for players with smaller hands compared to the Cutlass, despite both having an asymmetrical C shape.
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Critic Reviews

Sterling By Music Man StingRay SR50 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Sterling by Music Man's SR50 StingRay offers exceptional playability with its near-perfect finish and reliable tuning stability. The guitar's dual Ernie Ball Music Man humbuckers deliver a creamy tone, though the neck pickup can be bass-heavy, requiring some EQ adjustment for clarity. Its build quality shines with a sleek Three-Tone Sunburst finish and chrome hardware, although perfectionists might nitpick the slightly protruding pickup selector cavity. Despite minor grievances, this guitar is an impressive blend of Fender and Gibson features, making it a compelling choice for classic rock and blues enthusiasts.

positive

Full Review

Sterling by Music Man StingRay SR50 Electric Guitar - Mixdown Magazine

mixdownmag.com.au

The Sterling by Music Man SR50 StingRay impresses with its versatile tonal range and affordability, making it an excellent choice for musicians across genres. The guitar's mahogany body, maple neck, and Alnico-magnet humbuckers offer a dynamic sound that suits fusion and blues. While it feels slightly body-heavy at first, it becomes very playable with balance. Its cosmetic neutrality ensures it fits any musical context. However, the heavier body might not appeal to everyone. Overall, it's a remarkable instrument for the price.

positive

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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mathias_dahlsveen

almost 8 years ago

Best guitar I've ever had

When it comes to value for money, this is the perfect guitar. I've always had a thing for offsets (jazzmasters in particular) but I mostly play heavy music with distorted tones. As far as versatility goes, this axe can handle pretty much whatever you throw at it. I've had it set up for anything from black metal in standard tuning to drop A# for heavy riffing. Designed by Leo Fender, this is the perfect marriage between a Gibson and a Fender. The heavy, mahogany body and great sounding humbuckers give it the rumble of a Les Paul, but the neck makes it feel closer to a Fender. The best part about this guitar is definitely playability, it simply plays like a silky smooth dream. Don't bother paying blood prices for a Music Man, when you can have a great axe for a fraction of the price.