Blending boutique-level craftsmanship, ultra-premium tonewoods and cutting-edge innovation, the limited-edition Ernie Ball Music Man BFR DarkRay 4 electric bass guitar is an awe-inspiring union of unmatched artistry and precision engineering. Developed in collaboration with the tone architects at Darkglass Electronics, this exclusive Ball Family Reserve model showcases a flamed maple top finished in the breathtaking "Grapes of Wrath" colorway—an opulent, high-gloss hue limited to just 75 instruments worldwide. A figured roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard adorned with Purple Atlante block inlays complete the striking aesthetic. Beneath its luxurious surface, a custom Darkglass preamp and neodymium humbucker unleash ferocious tone through a pair of versatile onboard gain circuits. Blacked-out Music Man hardware—including a vintage-style top-loaded steel bridge—ties it all together, giving this DarkRay commanding stage presence worthy of its Ball Family Reserve pedigree.
Darkglass Electronics: Aggressive Power and Precision Control
At the heart of the Ball Family Reserve DarkRay 4 lies a custom-designed Darkglass two-band active preamp that redefines onboard tonal flexibility. This system delivers three distinctive voices—Clean, Alpha (distortion) and Omega (fuzz)—each optimized for clarity and low-end authority. A gain knob and blend control allow seamless mixing between transparent cleans and rich saturation, while a three-way switch and LED ring indicator ensure effortless navigation between modes, even on dark stages. The neodymium humbucking pickup captures every nuance with powerful articulation, translating your playing dynamics into pure, harmonically rich output. Whether you crave glassy definition or full-throttle grit, the DarkRay 4’s electronics give you complete command of your sonic landscape.
Contoured Ash Body With Exclusive Grapes of Wrath Finish
The BFR DarkRay 4’s lightweight ash body delivers a perfect blend of comfort, resonance and visual drama. Its sculpted contours mirror the iconic StingRay silhouette, ensuring balanced ergonomics and fatigue-free performance through long sets. A premium flamed maple top elevates the design with stunning depth and figure, showcased beneath the showstopping Grapes of Wrath finish—an exclusive Ball Family Reserve colorway that glows with metallic vibrancy under stage lights. High-gloss polyester enhances both durability and luster, while the blacked-out hardware pulls the entire look together. It’s a bass that commands attention before you even strike a note, perfectly marrying luxury aesthetics with professional-grade performance.
Roasted Figured Maple Neck and Sleek Ebony Fingerboard
Built for speed, stability and precision, the BFR DarkRay 4’s roasted figured maple neck feels fast and fluid in the hand. The roasting process enhances tonal resonance and long-term stability while bringing out the striking grain patterns of the maple. An oil-and-wax finish provides a silky-smooth playing surface that resists stickiness, even under stage lights. The ebony fingerboard adds an extra layer of snap and clarity, paired with an 11" radius for effortless runs and clean articulation. Purple Atlante block inlays lend an air of refinement and exclusivity, reminding you that this isn’t just another production bass—it’s a work of playable art built for the serious modern bassist.
Premium Music Man Hardware and Exclusive Appointments
Every inch of the DarkRay 4 Grapes of Wrath reflects Music Man’s legacy of precision craftsmanship. Custom lightweight tuning machines provide rock-solid stability and effortless tuning, while the vintage-style top-loaded Music Man bridge anchors each note with authority. The blacked-out hardware reinforces the instrument’s sleek, modern attitude, and the signature 3+1 headstock design maintains ideal string tension and balance. Stainless-steel frets ensure lasting durability and flawless intonation across every register, giving you consistent performance night after night. Each BFR DarkRay 4 ships in a premium Mono softshell case, keeping your investment protected wherever the music takes you.
The Ball Family Reserve DarkRay 4: A Limited-Edition Powerhouse
The Ernie Ball Music Man BFR DarkRay 4 electric bass guitar represents the pinnacle of the DarkRay line—a bold statement of forward-thinking design and uncompromising artistry. Limited to just 75 pieces worldwide, this bass captures the essence of the Ball Family Reserve ethos: premium tonewoods, cutting-edge electronics and impeccable finishing details. Whether you’re a collector, a touring pro or an adventurous tone sculptor, the DarkRay 4 Grapes of Wrath delivers an unrivaled fusion of elegance and aggression. Each instrument includes a numbered certificate of authenticity, cementing its place as one of Music Man’s most coveted limited releases.