Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,038
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Dive into the soulful depths of bass playing with the Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34PB Bass, a masterpiece that melds classic design with contemporary flair. This bass stands out not just for its sonic prowess but also for its stunning aesthetics, thanks to the eye-catching poplar burl top. The heart of its tone lies in the Music Man-designed alnico humbucker, which offers a rich, powerful sound capable of cutting through any mix. The onboard 9V active preamp and 3-band EQ allow for intricate tone shaping, ensuring that you can find your unique sound in any genre. The roasted maple neck, a feature beloved by players for its lightweight and stability, provides a smooth playing experience across all 21 frets. Whether you're laying down the groove on stage or crafting new lines in the studio, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34PB Bass is a reliable companion that combines playability, durability, and aesthetic beauty in one package.
Key Features:
- Poplar burl top for a visually striking appearance
- Nyatoh body with modern contouring for enhanced comfort
- Music Man-designed alnico humbucker for deep, dynamic tones
- 9V active preamp with 3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
- Roasted maple neck for reduced weight and increased stability
- 21 frets on a smooth fingerboard for effortless playability
- Equipped with a top-loading bridge and open gear tuners for tuning stability
Product specs
| Brand | Sterling |
| Model | StingRay Ray34PB |
| Finish | Dark Scarlet Burst Satin, Neptune Blue Satin, Trans Black Satin |
| Year | 2019 - 2025 |
| Made In | Indonesia |
| Categories | 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Active Pickups |
| Active Preamp | Active Preamp |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Red |
| Finish Features | Matching Headstock |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Satin |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 9.5" |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 4-String |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Pickup Configuration | H |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Top Material | Poplar |
| Wood Top Style | Burled |
FAQs
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What kind of tonal characteristics can I expect from the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB?
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The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB offers a classic StingRay sound characterized by a punchy, aggressive tone with strong mids and clear highs, thanks to its active pickups and preamp.
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Is the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB suitable for beginners?
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While the StingRay Ray34PB is designed with quality and performance in mind, making it suitable for all levels, its advanced features and active electronics may be better appreciated by intermediate to advanced players.
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What is the neck profile of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB?
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The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB features a comfortable and smooth maple neck with a 9.5" fretboard radius, providing a balance between playability and precision, ideal for various playing styles.
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Does the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB have active or passive pickups?
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The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB is equipped with active pickups, delivering a powerful and dynamic sound with enhanced tonal control.
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How many frets does the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB have?
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The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB features 21 frets, allowing for a full two-octave range on its 34" scale length neck.
Videos
Patrick Hunter
Sterling By Music Man Ray34PB! [Demo]
![Video thumbnail for Sterling By Music Man Ray34PB! [Demo] by Patrick Hunter](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NyzZdd3OyOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Sterling By Music Man Ray34PB! [Demo]
Patrick Hunter
My New BASS! Sterling by Music Man Stingray RAY34PB
Bearded Radness
Reviews
PROS
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Smooth fret work and rolled fingerboard edges offer excellent playability
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Tonal qualities exceed expectations, delivering punch, grit, and growl
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Stunning finish, especially for a sub-$1k bass
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Exceptional value for a StingRay sound at a lower price point
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Boutique look with PB veneer
CONS
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Quality control issues with tuners, leading to defects and replacements
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Initial setup often requires significant adjustments out of the box
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Stiff truss rods and tuners can hinder ease of use
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Instances of poor factory patchwork on strap button installations
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Metal shavings found on pickup poles, indicating unfinished workmanship
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 Ray34PB.
Build quality
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Owners have reported issues with the tuners, particularly the black ones, which may break or have gear shredding problems.
Source -
The finish on the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB is smooth and flat, not glossy, which may differ from the vibrant appearance in promotional images.
Source -
The Ray34 is noted to be on the heavier side, with some users finding it heavier than even an EBMM SR5.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Some users experienced truss rod issues where it wouldn't budge, requiring a neck replacement under warranty.
Source
Comparisons
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Compared to the American-made models, the Ray34 is noted for having slightly lower-quality tuners and pots but is otherwise very similar in build and sound quality.
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While some users appreciate the StingRay sound, others suggest Jazz or PJ basses for more versatile tonal options, especially for playing varied genres.
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Some players find the active electronics on the Ray34 offer more tonal variety than a traditional P-bass, catering to diverse musical styles.
Source
User experience
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The neck is described as wide and thick with a 43mm nut width, which can be a challenge for players used to narrower necks like the 38mm on a Squier Jaguar.
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Owners describe the Neptune Blue color as stunningly beautiful, even when viewed from a distance in a store display.
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Owners transitioning from a J Bass to a Sterling Ray4HH appreciate the newfound versatility in tone options.
Source
Features and functionality
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The roasted maple neck and fretboard are praised for their feel and appearance, adding to the overall playability of the bass.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Installing Hipshot ultralites is recommended for those experiencing tuner issues, enhancing reliability and performance.
Source
Critic Reviews
2.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
140
Sounds just like an EBMM and that's about it
I play metalcore and wanted the punch of a StingRay for a long time because I love how that tone really shines through a mix and when I found out about Sterling I was very excited, great price compared to an EBMM and sounded just like a StingRay.
The best part about this bass is how it sounds and how it looks, that's really it. It feels pretty good, a bit of a chunky neck for some people but it works for me. After playing one of these and then grabbing the real thing there is quite the difference; however, this is to be expected from the Squier/Epiphone variant of Music Man. The worst part of this bass though has to be the Quality Control from Sterling themselves.
I got the Dark Scarlett Burst version and everything felt and sounded great but when it came time to put new strings on and tune up, the tuners were grinding and very stiff. So I brought it back to my local music store and they initially ordered new tuners from Sterling but it was taking far too long so I was ordered a replacement bass which showed up fast. When it showed up I saw the serial number was the very next digit in the production line so I got 2 basses from the same line of production. I brought it to the luthier in the store and he immediately checked the tuners and sure enough the were also grinding and very stiff so he went and ordered tuners not from Sterling but from AllParts for an Epiphone bass and they work perfectly. I also wanted some Schaller Strap Locks installed too so when the luthier went to replace them he showed me where from the factory the place where they initially screwed the strap button was in the wrong spot, so they had patched it with a shim and screwed right next to it and installed the strap button like it was nothing. Sure enough during a show the strap lock unit that was installed came right out while I was on stage, I had to fix it myself with toothpicks, carpenter's glue and duct tape and that did the job.
Very much a disappointment to go through that. It's quite a toss up, if you love the sound of a Stingray and don't want to spend $4k on the real deal then this would be great for you. However: if you pull the trigger be prepared to deal with a poor build.
P.S. The truss rods are also very stiff and sometimes don't even budge.
Artist usage
Add artist
Jim uses a sterling ray34 bass. His bass is a burl top model. His bass doesn’t have a pickguard, and jim debated putting on one but opted not to because of how nice it looked without one. He states that it was sent to him by music man to try out
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Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34PB, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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