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collapse expand iconDescription

The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5 Maple Fingerboard 5-String Electric Bass brings the iconic Music Man bass sound within reach. This bass delivers the punchy tone and slick playability that defined a generation. Featuring an alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard and dual humbucking pickups, the Ray5 produces a flexible yet focused tone that cuts through any mix. The 3-band active preamp lets you shape your sound with precision. Whether you play rock, funk, hip hop or jazz, the Ray5 is a superior choice for players at any level.

Dual Ceramic Humbuckers Provide Power and Clarity

The Ray5 is equipped with a ceramic humbucker at the bridge and a ceramic humbucker at the neck. These high-output pickups capture every nuance of your playing with impressive sensitivity and responsiveness. The humbucking design also ensures a quiet, interference-free signal. Switch between pickups to move from a deep, warm neck tone to a punchy, defined bridge tone. For the most versatility, select both pickups together.

Active 3-Band EQ Gives You Complete Tonal Control

Shape your tone with the onboard active 3-band EQ. The bass control provides a boost of up to 12dB at 60Hz, allowing you to dial in a thunderous low end. The mid control offers up to 12dB of cut or boost at 800Hz, ideal for eliminating muddiness or adding clarity. The treble control provides up to 12dB of cut or boost at 4kHz, allowing you to make your tone brighter or mellower. With the EQ's wide-ranging control, you can achieve any sound from vintage warmth to modern bite.

Premium Hardware and Electronics Built to Last

The Ray5 is equipped with top-quality components to deliver years of reliable performance. The heavy-duty bridge features fully adjustable saddles for perfect intonation and string height. Open-gear tuners provide smooth, precise tuning. An onboard active preamp runs on a 9-volt battery and features volume controls for neck and bridge pickups, allowing you to blend pickups or boost output. All electronics are housed in a durable metal control plate. Overall, the Ray5 is a robust, roadworthy bass ready to handle any playing situation.

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5 Maple Fingerboard 5-String Electric Bass Chopper Blue
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5 Maple Fingerboard 5-String Electric Bass Chopper Blue
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5 Maple Fingerboard 5-String Electric Bass Chopper Blue

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Basswood body
  • Bolt-on maple neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Low-noise humbucking pickup
  • 2-band EQ
  • Fully-adjustable heavy-duty fixed bridge
  • Chrome hardware

collapse expand iconSpecs

Neck
  • Shape: Not specified
  • Wood: Maple
  • Neck joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 34 in.
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Finish: Satin
Pickups
  • Active or passive pickups: Passive
  • Pickup configuration: H
  • Neck: Not applicable
  • Middle: Not applicable
  • Bridge: Low-Noise Humbucker
  • Brand: Sterling by Music Man
  • Active preamp: Custom Ibanez
  • Special electronics: 2-band EQ
Fretboard
  • Material: Rosewood or Maple
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium Jumbo
  • Number of frets: 21
  • Inlays: Pearloid dot
  • Nut material: Info not available
  • Nut width: 45mm
Body
  • Cutaway: Single cutaway
  • Construction: Solidbody
  • Body wood: Basswood
  • Body finish: Satin
  • Orientation: Right handed
Controls
  • Control layout: Volume 1, tone, EQ
  • Pickup switch: No
  • Coil tap or split: No
  • Tone switching: No
  • Special switching: EQ
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed
  • Bridge design: Fully adjustable heavy duty
  • Tailpiece: Not applicable
  • Tuning machines: Open gear
  • Color: Black
Other
  • Number of strings: 5
  • Pickguard: No
  • Special features: Not applicable
  • Case: sold separately
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: Indonesia

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.46

13 Reviews

91%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Good value 5 string
Best 5 string bass EVER
Best 5 string bass EVER
Best 5 string bass EVER
Best 5 string bass EVER

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Exceptional quality at an affordable price

My first entry into the world of the 5 string bass couldn't be better. Sterling has outdone any other company offering a 5 string bass at this price point. The build quality is exceptional. Not a single fret edge out of place, the neck is solid and straight out of the box with minimal adjustments for intonation and action. I've been playing it straight into my audio interface to get a feel for the uncolored sound of the instrument. I am constantly blown away by how well the low B sounds. A tight, well defined sound with great midrange punch. The active 2 band EQ is very useable and overall the electronics seem to be top notch for a $350 bass. If you are looking for a budget friendly 5 string bass that doesn't sacrifice on quality, this is it. I would gig with this bass any night of the week.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

I cannot recommend this.

Very good action, but the fret buzz is astronomically bad. It even interfered with the sustain of some of the strings.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming11
  2. Practicing11
  3. Recording11
  4. Small Venues9
  5. Rock Concerts5
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz3
  2. Steals the blanket at night1
  3. Heavy1
  4. Some neck dive1
  5. Very severe fret buzz. The neck is faulty.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced7
  2. Professional Musician3
  3. Novice2
Pros
  1. Good Feel11
  2. Good Pick Up11
  3. Good Tone11
  4. Fun To Play10
  5. Solid Electronics10

Reviewed by 13 customers

  • Good value 5 string

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byKirk

    fromWinchester, VA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Wanted a 5-string with an active preamp for more diversity in playing different styles of music. Mostly use in home studio recording. Like most store bought instruments expect to do a good setup to get the most out of it.

  • I did buy this product again!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byGrim Man

    fromDavenport, IA

    All the bass you could ever need. Any more I feel you would have to be a pro. I have two of them. One maple fingerboard and one jatoba. The maple has a brighter attack while the jatoba is still bright but more rounded. In my mixes, the sound is great. Very acceptable with some eq and comp. Use Fender SuperBass strings. They work well with the ray5. The sound is low mid heavy, but dial a little 450 to 500Hz out and add a little top and bottom to taste and you in like Flynn. Make sure to do a proper set-up and you'll be very satisfied.

  • Don't over look this five string!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byMike

    fromWest Springfield MA

    Not a top shelf bass they say, well it plays great! This is my first five string and the string spacing is perfect for me. sound shaping is super simple with bass and treble boost. Knobs have mid detent so you know where you are at the halfway point.

  • Amazing!!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byAL

    fromCalifornia

    I have a warwick corvette and this bass literally has more punch and fatness and growl than my warwick. Im shocked. Ive played at two gigs with it so far and my band buddies love it.

  • Great 5 stringer

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byJerry

    fromAdvance NC

    Great Sterling 5!!

  • I recommend this Bass

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byTmack

    fromKansas City

    Just bought this bass! Love it! Sounds better then my Ibanez!

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collapse expand iconQ&A

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

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byWesley

    fromundisclosed

    Is the pickup passive or active? It says passive but there is a battery compartment.

    Is the pickup passive or active? It says passive but there is a battery compartment.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    The pups are passive. It's the EQ that is active. Please give us a call to better help you out – 877-687-5403

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byCris

    fromLos Angeles, CA

    Can you ship it to Brazil?

    Can you ship it to Brazil?

    Open Reply - JT
    This item doesn't currently ship to Brazil

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byWill

    fromUtah

    Type of strings?

    Type of strings?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    They are Ernie Ball strings.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byNick

    fromNY

    What brand and size strings come with the bass?

    What brand and size strings come with the bass?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    The strings are Super Slinky Ernie Ball strings, and the gauge are .45's

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byMartin

    fromMar del plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    hi, my name is martin, i'm from argentina. Im interested in this product. My question is, do you have stock? can i go directly to the store in San Francisco ca? can you provide me with the addres? and, how much is any rigid case for the bass guitar? Im sorry if my english isnt correct, my wife is in san francisco now and she will bring me this as a present. so can you give me all this information so i can guide her to get it. Thanks. Have a nice day.

    hi, my name is martin, i'm from argentina. Im interested in this product. My question is, do you have stock? can i go directly to the store in San Francisco ca? can you provide me with the addres? and, how much is any rigid case for the bass guitar? Im sorry if my english isnt correct, my wife is in san francisco now and she will bring me this as a present. so can you give me all this information so i can guide her to get it. Thanks. Have a nice day.

    Open Reply -
    This is not currently at that location. Please call a Sales Agent for special Order placement