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Sterling: Meet the SUB Series StingRay Bass | Full Walkthrough & Demo

Sterling: Meet the SUB Series StingRay Bass | Full Walkthrough & Demo

Sterling: SUB Series StingRay 5 Plus Demo (ft. Brad Williamson)

Sterling: SUB Series StingRay 5 Plus Demo (ft. Brad Williamson)

Description

Building on the punchy, player-friendly foundation that has made the SUB Series StingRay a favorite, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay 5 Plus 5-string bass adds elevated style and expanded tonal flexibility to the classic single-humbucker formula. A solid poplar body topped with ash veneer showcases beautiful natural wood grain beneath a classic Vintage Sunburst finish, complemented by a black pickguard and matching headstock. A hard maple neck and maple fingerboard with 22 medium frets provide smooth playability across the 34" scale, with a 12" radius and 1.77" nut comfortably accommodating the broader five-string format. At the heart of the StingRay 5 Plus, a ceramic humbucker offers series, parallel and single-coil voicings for three distinct starting points, backed by a two-band active preamp for further tonal shaping and a push-push volume boost for extra output on demand. Black block inlays, open-gear tuners and a fixed bridge round out a versatile, elegantly appointed five-string that brings more range and personality to the accessible SUB Series platform.

Poplar Body With Ash Veneer for Timeless Sunburst Style

The StingRay 5 Plus starts with a solid poplar body, providing a balanced tonal foundation for the punch and definition of its active electronics. A thin ash veneer adds the pronounced natural grain that comes to life beneath the Vintage Sunburst finish, giving this version a more traditional wood-forward aesthetic without changing the poplar construction at its core. Paired with the unmistakable StingRay shape and classic black pickguard, the combination brings a classic look to a bass built around decidedly versatile modern electronics.

34" Scale Maple Neck Designed for Five-String Playability

A hard maple neck gives the StingRay 5 Plus a solid, responsive feel, with a full 34" scale providing familiar tension across its extended range. The hard maple fingerboard features a flatter 12" radius and 22 medium frets, creating a broad, comfortable playing surface for navigating the five-string format. A 1.77" nut provides appropriate spacing across the expanded string set, while the neck widens to 2.72" at the final fret for comfortable access throughout the upper register. A sturdy six-bolt neck joint and dual-action truss rod provide a stable, adjustable foundation, while bold black block inlays stand out against the maple fingerboard.

Three Pickup Voicings and Active EQ for Expanded Tonal Range

A ceramic humbucker gives the StingRay 5 Plus its powerful core voice, while a three-way switch unlocks series, parallel and single-coil configurations for significantly more range from a single pickup. Series mode delivers the fullest, most muscular humbucker response, while parallel mode opens up the sound with greater clarity and definition; single-coil mode provides a leaner, more articulate alternative that can help bring extra definition to the extended low register. A two-band active preamp lets you further shape the lows and highs to suit your instrument, amp or mix. When extra presence is needed, a push-push volume control engages an additional output boost, putting an immediate lift within easy reach without interrupting your playing.

Stage-Ready Hardware and Elevated StingRay Style

The StingRay 5 Plus carries its Vintage Sunburst presentation from the ash-veneered body through the matching headstock, with a black pickguard and black block inlays complementing the warm, dusky finish. Open-gear tuning machines provide straightforward, precise adjustment with the traditional look of classic bass hardware, while the fixed bridge offers a stable platform for dependable intonation and string support. Together, these details give the 5-string StingRay Plus a polished, distinctive look while remaining unmistakably part of the SUB Series family.

A 5-String StingRay Bass Built for Versatile Modern Players

For players drawn to the direct punch and unmistakable attitude of a StingRay but looking for greater tonal versatility and extended low-end range, the Sterling by Music Man StingRay 5 Plus 5-string bass adds meaningful flexibility without complicating the formula. Three pickup voices provide distinctly different starting points, the active preamp offers quick tonal shaping and the push-push boost adds another layer of performance control when it's needed. Paired with an extended five-string format, familiar 34" scale playability and striking ash veneer and Vintage Sunburst aesthetics, the StingRay 5 Plus expands the possibilities of the fan-favorite SUB Series platform with a distinctive visual identity all its own.

Sterling by Music Man SUB Series StingRay 5 Plus 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst
Sterling by Music Man SUB Series StingRay 5 Plus 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst
Sterling by Music Man SUB Series StingRay 5 Plus 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

Features

  • 5-string SUB Series StingRay bass with 3 pickup voicings and onboard volume boost
  • Poplar body with ash veneer showcases distinctive wood grain beneath the Vintage Sunburst finish
  • Hard maple neck offers a solid feel and stable long-term performance
  • Hard maple fingerboard adds bright response with a smooth playing feel
  • 22 medium frets and 12" radius support comfortable, precise 5-string playability
  • Ceramic humbucker delivers powerful output with focused low-end response
  • 3-way selector unlocks series, parallel and single-coil pickup modes
  • 2-band active preamp shapes bass and treble for quick tonal adjustments
  • Push-push volume boost adds extra output for solos and dynamic shifts
  • 6-bolt neck joint reinforces stability and efficient vibration transfer
  • Open-gear tuners support smooth adjustments and dependable tuning
  • Matching headstock and black block inlays add distinctive visual style
warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Nickel (Metallic), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Specs

General
  • Product type: Electric bass guitar
  • Series: SUB Series
  • Model: StingRay 5 Plus
Body
  • Body construction: Solidbody
  • Body shape: StingRay
  • Cutaway: Double cut
  • Body material: Poplar
  • Top material: Ash veneer
  • Color: Vintage Sunburst
Neck
  • Neck material: Hard maple
  • Neck joint: 6-bolt
  • Scale length: 34"
  • Truss rod: Dual-action
Fingerboard
  • Fingerboard material: Hard maple
  • Fingerboard radius: 12"
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Black blocks
  • Nut width: 1.77"
Hardware
  • Bridge: Fixed
  • Tuning machines: Open-gear
  • Pickguard: Black
Electronics
  • Pickup configuration: H
  • Bridge pickup: Ceramic humbucker
  • Controls: Master volume (with push/push volume boost), 2-band EQ
  • Pickup selector: 3-way (series/parallel/single-coil)
  • Preamp: Active
Strings
  • Number of strings: 5
  • String gauge: .045-.125
Other
  • Orientation: Right handed

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