Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special Black

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special H electric bass gets a sonic overhaul with a redesigned neodymium pickup and an upgraded 18V preamp, while also receiving a facelift in sculpture and construction for greater comfort. Originally debuting in 1976, the legendary bass is one of Leo Fender’s own designs, and it still sports the iconic 3+1 tuning machine layout and signature oval pickguard. The StingRay Special H features a roasted maple neck and your choice of maple, rosewood or ebony fretboard (based on the body finish you choose), meeting select hardwood bodies at a contoured 5-bolt joint for robust, yet sleek, construction. With an expanded tonal palette and ergonomic updates, the EBMM StingRay Special H brings enhanced performance to the stage and studio.

The StingRay Special H comes equipped with a newly designed neodymium bridge pickup that significantly widens its tonal range. The powerful neodymium magnet provides stronger output across the frequency spectrum, for thumping lows and notably prominent mids that have defined the classic StingRay sound. Whether you want a deep, growling rock tone or a punchy, percussive funk vibe, the improved EBMM pickup delivers the goods. This finely engineered transducer also pairs nicely with effects, giving you a plethora of rich tones at your fingertips.

An 18V preamp gives the Music Man StingRay Special H more clean headroom, making it a remarkably versatile bass. With higher voltage, you can push the volume without distorting the signal, and onboard EQ lets you combine the best of a passive pickup with the flexibility of active electronics. This combination achieves anything from a clean, round tone to an overdriven crunch, whether you want to throw it back to ’70s disco or punish with prog metal riffs. The 18V preamp significantly expands the tonal palette, letting you craft sounds ideal for any genre. Dial in that perfect balance of lows, mids and highs to find your voice on the EBMM StingRay Special H.

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special H features an ergonomic body carve and sculpted neck joint designed for playing comfort. The smoothly contoured edges nestle nicely against your body, making it easy to hold the bass for extended periods, seated or standing. Its sculpted neck joint also allows smooth, unimpeded access to the upper registers, so you can let the bass do the talking all the way to the 22nd fret, should the song call for it. The freshly streamlined design helps reduce fatigue, allowing you to maintain peak performance.

By trimming unnecessary mass—specifically in the body and tuning machines—the StingRay Special H weighs significantly less than previous versions. Your shoulders, back and hands will thank you after a lengthy performance or studio session, as the slender build makes the bass noticeably more comfortable to play. Enhanced playability also shines through in your technique, making faster runs and intricate fingerwork feel effortless. Between ergonomic contours and lower mass, the Music Man StingRay Special H stays out of the way, letting you lay down grooves with minimal impediment.

Neck

• Wood: Select roasted maple
• Neck joint: Bolt-on
• Scale length: 34″
• Truss rod: Adjustable
• Finish: Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend

Pickups

• Pickup configuration: H
• Bridge: Proprietary humbucker
• Control layout: Volume, Treble, Bass, Mid
• Special electronics: 3-band active preamp with 18V of headroom

Fretboard

• Material: Maple (Black, Frost Green Pearl, Snowy Night); Rosewood (Amethyst Sparkle, Speed Blue, Burnt Ends); Ebony (Raspberry Burst, Smoke Chrome)
• Radius: 11″
• Fret size: High-profile, wide
• Number of frets: 22
• Nut material/width: 1.687 in. (42.8 mm)

Body

• Body Type: Double-cutaway
• Body wood: Select hardwoods
• Body finish: High-gloss polyester

Hardware

• Bridge/Tailpiece: Vintage Music Man top-loaded chrome-plated steel bridge plate with vintage nickel-plated steel saddles
• Tuning machines: Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
• Color: Matte Black; Gold (Amethyst Sparkle, Jackpot, Ocean Sparkle); Chrome (Frost Green Pearl, Burnt Ends, Snowy Night)

All instruments are setup and inspected before shipping. We offer the option to upgrade to a Plek setup at a discounted rate when purchasing an instrument. To learn more about Plek, please message us, or call at: 740-522-0277.
Plek add-ons are non-refundable once completed. In the event of a return, a refund will be issued minus the cost of the Plek and any other add-on services.