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Ernie Ball Music Man: 2024 StingRay Special Bass Collection

Ernie Ball Music Man: 2024 StingRay Special Bass Collection

Ernie Ball Music Man

Description

At the intersection of craftsmanship and innovation, the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay bass stands as one of the most iconic bass guitars in the history of modern music. The first production four-string bass to feature onboard active equalization, this instrument is a testament to the amount of progressive technology you can fit into a timeless package—and the StingRay Special 5HH is no exception. Heard on countless records throughout history, you can find a StingRay in studios and on stages around the world. Now featuring a new 18-volt 3-band preamp, refined body contours and reengineered hardware, this versatile and revolutionary five-string bass gives musicians access to everything from modern to vintage tones, with the warmth, punch and flexibility they need.

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5HH Electric Bass Guitar

History Doesn’t Write Itself

First introduced in 1976, the StingRay electric quickly set the new standard for what a bass could be. Designed by Leo Fender, it sports a classic double-cutaway body style, along with a long, wide neck. But the StingRay Special 5HH has a unique design that makes it a truly game-changing instrument. Notably, its 4+1 tuning key configuration reduces "dead spots" in tuning, as well as featuring onboard active equalization to give players the opportunity to dial in a variety of tones with ease. The StingRay Special 5HH upholds a tradition of innovation with modern enhancements, while staying true to the StingRay’s classic design.

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5HH Electric Bass Guitar Pickups

A Work of Art

The StingRay Special 5HH is crafted with meticulous attention to detail for the demands of modern musicians. The body is sculpted from select high-quality tonewoods that produce the resonant and iconic tone the StingRay is known for. Boasting a player-friendly double-cutaway design famous for both its form and function, the Special 5HH sports enhanced body contours that are rounded for more comfort. Its roasted maple neck provides the stability and playability that novice and experienced musicians alike have come to expect from Ernie Ball Music Man. The Special 5HH also comes equipped with reengineered, lightweight tuning machines that create a more balanced neck while still providing ultrareliable tuning. These features, combined with a 5-bolt sculpted neck joint that gives unfettered access to all 22 stainless steel frets, make the Special 5HH the true "bassists’ bass."

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5HH Electric Bass Guitar Controls

Playing With Power

The Special 5HH’s new-and-improved electronics feature powerful neodymium magnets for a higher output, and a wide range of tones. The pickups are a completely original design that encompass the full spectrum of Ernie Ball Music Man’s dedication to innovation. Typically, double-coil pickups are wired in series, but the StingRay’s are wired in parallel. This, coupled with larger magnets for increased responsiveness, gives these pickups a tactile, punchy sound.

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5HH Electric Bass Guitar Body

High-Voltage Rock ’n’ Roll

The newly designed 18-volt, 3-band preamp delivers ultrahigh headroom so you can dial in everything from thumping, modern low end, to vintage-inspired warmth with ease. The Special 5HH’s active electronics give you more power over your tone and output than with passive instruments, due to its onboard preamp and EQ controls. This, along with passive pickups deliver results that will astound your audience and bandmates, truly bringing the best of both worlds to fruition in a single instrument. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the degradation of your sound due to long cable runs.

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay has stood the test of time and will continue to for years to come thanks to its innovative design, world-famous tone and updated electronics. If you’re looking for a bass that can do it all, from hard slapping to soft and gentle, the Special 5HH will provide the tonal flexibility you need. When you’re ready to get serious about your low end, the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5HH is up to the task.

Features

  • Select hardwood body with a high-gloss polyester finish
  • Bolt-on select roasted maple neck
  • Maple, ebony or rosewood fingerboard with 22 stainless-steel frets
  • Dual humbuckers with neodymium magnets

Specs

Neck
  • Wood: Select roasted maple
  • Neck joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 34"
  • Truss rod: Adjustable
  • Finish: Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Pickups
  • Pickup configuration: HH
  • Neck: Proprietary humbucker
  • Bridge: Proprietary humbucker
  • Control layout: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass
  • Pickup switch: 5-way
  • Special electronics: 3-band active preamp with 18V of headroom
Fretboard
  • Material: Maple (Black, Frost Green Pearl, Snowy Night); Rosewood (Amethyst Sparkle, Speed Blue, Burnt Ends); Ebony (Raspberry Burst, Smoke Chrome)
  • Radius: 11"
  • Fret size: High-profile, wide
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays:
  • Nut material/width: 1.75" (44.5 mm)
Body
  • Body Type: Double-cutaway
  • Body wood: Select hardwoods
  • Body finish: High-gloss polyester
Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Vintage Music Man top-loaded chrome-plated steel bridge plate with vintage nickel-plated steel saddles
  • Tuning machines: Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
  • Color: Matte Black; Gold (Amethyst Sparkle, Ocean Sparkle, Jackpot); Chrome (Frost Green Pearl, Burnt Ends, Snowy Night)
Other
  • Number of strings: 5 string
  • Orientation: Right-handed

Featured Articles

Reviews

5

2 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Money well spent!
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Best Uses
  1. Jamming2
  2. Practicing2
  3. Small Venues2
  4. Recording1
  5. Rock Concerts1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced1
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Fun To Play2
  2. Good Feel2
  3. Good Pick Up2
  4. Good Tone2
  5. Solid Electronics2

Reviewed by 2 customers

  • I would buy this product again!!!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byBill

    fromAttleboro Ma.

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I have 2 music man stingray 5 string bass's and use them both for live performances and rehearsing.

  • Money well spent!

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byJames

    fromGresham, Oregon

    What a beautiful bass! Church musician, I can't wait until Sunday! Plays great and sounds even better! Bonus: The "gig bag" is actually very sturdy and I probably won't replace it with a hard shell case. I highly recommend this bass.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted9 months ago

    asked byJay

    fromMN

    Does this come with a hardshell case or what exact type of case would it come with?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Mono Gig Bag.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byBerkley

    fromMO

    Is there a bypass switch to play passive pickups mode or are batteries always draining in active mode?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Unfortunately, no. Even in bypass, it would still drain.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked bySlipknot fan

    fromundisclosed

    Do power Slinky bass strings work on this bass?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, they will.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byJaqueline

    fromModesto, CA

    What strings are recommended to use for this bass?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Regular Slinky Bass, .045-.130.