The Sterling Music Man Session StingRay 5-string electric bass brings the unmistakable punch and attitude of the classic StingRay into sharp modern focus, channeling the legendary tone and feel of Ernie Ball Music Man's iconic '90s and 2000s models in a premium extended-range instrument built for working musicians. Positioned at the top of Sterling's lineup, the Music Man Session StingRay 5 pairs an ash body with a roasted maple neck and smooth oil-and-wax finish for a natural, responsive playing feel. A Music Man Session Alnico V humbucker delivers the powerful lows, growling mids and articulate attack that define the StingRay sound, while an active three-band EQ and three-way selector provide expanded tonal versatility. A compensated nut, Music Man Schaller open-gear tuners and Music Man Session-designed bridge support precise intonation and dependable performance. Available in Natural Gloss and Tobacco Burst finishes that showcase the ash's distinctive grain, the Music Man Session StingRay 5 combines classic bass character with extended low-end reach, refined appointments and a striking natural aesthetic.
Classic StingRay Design With Resonant Ash Construction
The Music Man Session StingRay 5 retains the familiar double-cutaway silhouette and solidbody construction that have made the StingRay one of the most recognizable electric bass designs. An ash body provides a lively tonal foundation with clear attack and note definition, complementing the powerful, articulate response of the Music Man Session humbucker. The contoured body offers a comfortable fit against the player, while a six-bolt neck joint creates a secure connection between the roasted maple neck and body. Both the Natural Gloss and Tobacco Burst finishes showcase the ash's distinctive grain, with a black pickguard and roasted maple fingerboard on the Natural Gloss model and a white pickguard and rosewood fingerboard on Tobacco Burst. Together, these details give the Session StingRay 5 a classic, wood-forward aesthetic that highlights its premium construction.
Roasted Maple Neck With Oil-and-Wax Finish Delivers Premium Playability
The Music Man Session StingRay 5 features a roasted maple neck with a smooth oil-and-wax finish that offers a natural, broken-in feel without the resistance of a heavy gloss coating. Roasting enhances the maple's dimensional stability, while the six-bolt attachment provides a secure foundation for consistent performance. A traditional 34" scale and 11" fingerboard radius offer a comfortable balance for fingerstyle playing, slap techniques and fluid movement across the neck, while the extended low-B range opens up additional possibilities for bass lines and chord voicings. Twenty-two frets provide an expanded playing range, while the 1.75" nut width accommodates the 5-string configuration. The Natural Gloss model features a roasted maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, while Tobacco Burst pairs the roasted maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and white dot markers. A dual-action truss rod allows precise neck relief adjustments to maintain a comfortable setup.
Alnico V Humbucker Delivers Signature StingRay Punch and Growl
At the heart of the Music Man Session StingRay 5 is a single Music Man Session humbucker equipped with Alnico V magnets, delivering the powerful, articulate voice that has made the StingRay a defining instrument across generations of bass music. Its punchy low end and pronounced midrange give fingerstyle lines a commanding presence, while the crisp attack and harmonic detail provide the snap and definition prized for slap playing. An active three-band preamp offers independent bass, middle and treble controls, allowing players to shape everything from deep, rounded grooves to aggressive, cutting tones with precision. A three-way selector provides additional pickup-voicing options, extending the instrument's tonal versatility while preserving the direct response and distinctive character of the classic StingRay design.
Precision Hardware Supports Dependable Stage Performance
The Session StingRay 5's premium construction is complemented by carefully selected hardware designed to support accurate intonation and reliable tuning stability. A Music Man Session-designed bridge provides a solid string anchor with individual saddle adjustments, while the compensated nut helps improve intonation by refining the strings' contact points near the headstock. Music Man Schaller open-gear tuners offer smooth, precise tuning control, completing a hardware package inspired by the attention to detail associated with premium Ernie Ball Music Man instruments. Factory-fitted Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings and an included premium Music Man Session gig bag round out the package, providing a ready-to-play instrument with practical protection for rehearsals, sessions and gigs.
Premium StingRay Character With Extended-Range Versatility
Few electric basses have made as lasting an impression as the StingRay, whose unmistakable combination of powerful humbucking tone, active electronics and responsive playability has shaped recordings and performances across countless musical styles. The Sterling Music Man Session StingRay 5 draws on that heritage with an elevated approach, pairing the familiar Alnico V voice and three-band EQ with a roasted maple neck, compensated nut and precision hardware. Its smooth oil-and-wax finish and thoughtfully selected appointments give the instrument a premium feel, while the ash body and grain-revealing finishes add distinctive visual character to the classic StingRay design. Built for players who demand expressive tone, dependable performance and refined playability, the Music Man Session StingRay 5 delivers the iconic character of one of electric bass history's most influential designs with the added range and versatility of a modern 5-string.