Ernie Ball Music Man launches StingRay Special Bass
The new bass is lighter, more comfortable to play, and has been revoiced for hotter—and more refined—output.
Ernie Ball has unveiled a deep ‘reimagination’ of one of its flagship instruments, the Music Man StingRay Bass. Enter the new Music Man StingRay Special Bass, which is the brand’s idea of a versatile, progressive instrument for the seasoned bassist. Or, as Stefan Lessard of Dave Matthews Band put it, “It’s a sports car of a bass.”
Available in four- and five-string versions, the StingRay Special Bass is lighter and more comfortable to play than its predecessors. That’s thanks to the lightweight ash wood used in the body, lighter hardware and tuning machines, more ergonomic body contours, and a sculpted neck joint that allows uninhibited access all the way to the 22nd fret.

Ernie Ball also made a few under-the-hood enhancements. The neodymium active humbucker—pick between H and HH configurations—is hotter, yet retains the iconic StingRay sound. The active 18-volt preamp, meanwhile, has been revoiced for maximum headroom, and boasts a more refined EQ section.

Elsewhere on the StingRay Special Bass, you’ll find a roasted maple neck, a rosewood/ebony/roasted maple fretboard, and a kaleidoscope of new colorways.
Learn more about the bass here:
The StingRay 4 Special Bass lists for $1,999 and the StingRay 5 Special Bass lists for $2,099. For more info, check out music-man.com.