Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay 5 5-String Electric Bass Starry Night

The Music Man DarkRay 5-string is an excellent instrument, but it's definitely not a standard StingRay, and that's exactly the point. This is a bass designed for players who want built-in dirt and an aggressive, modern edge without relying on external pedals. The DarkRay features one clean setting and two distortion modes powered by the Darkglass Alpha and Omega circuits. These dirty channels are where this bass really shines. The distortion is thick, punchy, and controllable, ranging from gritty growl to full-on saturated grind. It's a completely different character from a regular StingRay but in a very good way. To make room for the distortion circuits, the onboard EQ on the clean channel has a slightly more limited tonal range compared to a standard StingRay. That said, the clean tone is still solid and usable, and sits well in a mix. The trade-off is clearly intentional, prioritizing the unique dirty tones that define this instrument. In terms of build quality and playability, it's everything you'd expect from Music Man — flawless craftsmanship, a comfortable neck, smooth playability, and excellent overall balance. It feels premium in the hands and performs like a professional instrument. In short: the DarkRay is very different, very bold, and very cool. If you're looking for a traditional StingRay sound, this may not be for you. But if you want a bass that delivers massive, built-in distortion with top-tier build quality, the DarkRay is an absolute beast.