The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH 5-string electric bass guitar takes one of the most recognizable bass designs ever made and pushes it into fully modern territory. Built for players who want authority, flexibility and comfort in a single instrument, this StingRay pairs a resonant ash body with a roasted maple neck and lightweight hardware for improved balance and reduced fatigue. Two neodymium humbuckers and an 18V 3-band active preamp deliver massive headroom, fast transient response and a wide tonal range that stays articulate across all five strings. It all adds up to a StingRay bass designed to handle demanding stage volumes, complex arrangements and long sessions without compromise.
Dual Neodymium Humbuckers Expand the StingRay Sound
The StingRay Special 5 HH is equipped with two neodymium humbuckers, offering higher output and greater clarity than traditional magnet designs. A 5-way selector switch unlocks multiple pickup combinations, from classic bridge-position punch to fuller blended tones that add depth and versatility. This expanded palette builds on the StingRay voice made famous by bassists like Flea and Tony Levin, giving you the ability to move from aggressive cutting lines to more rounded supportive tones without switching instruments.
18V 3-Band Active Preamp Delivers Power and Precision
An onboard 18V active preamp provides increased headroom and a lower noise floor, allowing you to boost lows, mids and highs without unwanted distortion. The added voltage keeps your signal clean and responsive even when playing hard or driving long cable runs. The result is consistent studio-grade tone control that adapts easily to different rooms, rigs and playing styles.
Roasted Maple Neck and Stainless Steel Frets Enhance Durability
The roasted maple neck adds stability and a smooth broken-in feel while resisting changes from humidity and temperature. A comfortable C-shaped profile, 34" scale length and 10" fingerboard radius maintain familiar StingRay ergonomics. Twenty-two stainless steel frets provide long-term durability and consistent feel, helping the bass remain reliable through years of heavy use.
Lightweight Hardware Enhances Balance and Comfort
Custom lightweight tuning machines, a modern bridge and a sculpted 5-bolt neck joint reduce overall weight and improve balance on a strap. The compensated melamine nut enhances intonation, while intuitive controls make on-the-fly adjustments easy. These refinements make the StingRay Special 5 HH one of the most comfortable and playable five-string StingRay models available.
A Modern StingRay Built for Versatility and Authority
The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH delivers the unmistakable StingRay punch with expanded tonal options and modern refinements. From its dual humbuckers and powerful preamp to its stable neck and lightweight construction, every detail supports confident performance in professional settings. It’s a bass that respects its legacy while giving today’s players the control, clarity and reliability they expect on stage and in the studio.