The Ernie Ball Music Man Short Scale StingRay Bass distills the iconic StingRay experience into a compact 30" scale bass with an easy-playing feel and a warm, punchy voice all its own. A solid ash body provides the foundation for its distinctive sound, while the shorter scale and closer fret spacing make it an inviting choice for players with smaller hands and guitarists making the jump to bass. A roasted maple neck with a gunstock oil and hand-rubbed wax finish provides a smooth, natural feel, paired with 22 high-profile stainless steel frets for precise, confident playability. Under the hood, a specially designed passive StingRay humbucker with higher-output neodymium magnets delivers plenty of punch and definition, while a three-way rotary selector offers parallel, series and single-coil configurations for impressive tonal versatility. Rounded out with lightweight Music Man tuners and a vintage-style chrome-plated bridge, the Short Scale StingRay brings a fresh feel and personality to Ernie Ball Music Man's legendary bass platform.
Solid Ash Construction for Distinctive StingRay Character
A solid ash body gives the Short Scale StingRay a resonant foundation for its warm, punchy voice while preserving the unmistakable contours and character of the StingRay design. Its compact proportions complement the 30" scale for an instrument that feels approachable and comfortable without sacrificing the substantial feel of a USA-made Music Man. Finished in high-gloss polyester for lasting protection, the body provides a familiar foundation for a StingRay with a distinctly different personality.
30" Scale Roasted Maple Neck for Effortless Playability
The Short Scale StingRay's 30" scale brings the frets closer together, reducing the reach between positions and creating a comfortable playing experience for smaller players, guitarists transitioning to bass or anyone who simply prefers a more compact feel. A roasted maple neck with a familiar C profile and 11"-radius fingerboard—offered in roasted maple on most finishes and smooth ebony on Black and Galactic Pearl models—provides a fast, responsive playing surface, while Music Man's gunstock oil and hand-rubbed wax finish maintains a natural feel beneath the hand. A 1.5" compensated nut and 22 high-profile, wide stainless steel frets complete a refined neck designed for confident playing across the entire register.
Custom Passive StingRay Humbucker With Three Distinct Voices
Designed specifically for this model, the Short Scale StingRay’s passive humbucking pickup uses higher-output neodymium magnets to deliver the warm tone and powerful response that give this bass its distinctive voice. A three-way rotary selector dramatically expands the possibilities of the single-pickup design with parallel, true single-coil and series configurations, letting you explore three distinct pickup voices without sacrificing the straightforward character of a passive instrument. Dedicated volume and tone controls provide intuitive command over your output and tonal balance, making it easy to shape the Short Scale StingRay around different playing styles and musical settings.
Purpose-Built Music Man Hardware and Timeless Appointments
A vintage Music Man top-load bridge combines a chrome-plated steel plate with vintage nickel-plated steel saddles for a sturdy, precisely adjustable foundation at the body, while lightweight Music Man tuning machines with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover buttons provide smooth tuning without unnecessary weight at the headstock. Chrome hardware, a three-ply black pickguard and classic dot inlays maintain the clean, instantly recognizable StingRay aesthetic, while an included Mono soft case provides convenient protection for transport and storage.
A Fresh Take on the Classic StingRay Formula
The Ernie Ball Music Man Short Scale StingRay Bass is more than a familiar instrument reduced to smaller dimensions. Its custom neodymium humbucker, versatile passive electronics and comfortable 30" scale were thoughtfully engineered around the short-scale format, while a roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets and refined Music Man hardware ensure nothing feels scaled back in quality. Made in the USA and built to the same exacting standards as its full-scale counterparts, the Short Scale StingRay delivers the warmth, punch and unmistakable character players expect from a StingRay with a compact feel that opens the door to an entirely different playing experience.