For background: I am a semi-professional musician and recording engineer/producer. Besides some short stints in LA, I've mostly spent my music career in the local San Diego scene doing a variety of things from guitarist and bassist in bands, recording, live engineering, and DJing. I've been playing guitar specifically for 25 years. I also worked at the Taylor guitar factory in finish for 2 years so I know a fair amount about the guitar manufacturing process. I consider myself semi-professional only because I shifted my main career to technology and now music is more of a "serious hobby."
I wanted this bass for two reasons: first, just for fun! I mean, it's fun to switch it up now and again! But more importantly as a useful tool for recording songs. I'm always borrowing basses or telling people, "I'll get the bass guitar in there later..." Plugins are cool, but I'd rather PLAY.
Forever ago, I knew if I had the money, the Stingray was the bass I always wanted in my instrument arsenal. But they're expensive! I was STOKED to see that Ernie Ball/Music Man decided to make a cheap version that is licensed and has some assurance of quality control. A company like that, being one of the smaller brands, absolutely cannot afford to tarnish their reputation with bad instruments.
_______________________________________________________
THE REVIEW:
THIS BASS IS AWESOME! Out of the box I am immensely impressed. This is not a completely flawless instrument however, what you are getting for your money is like a gift from the music Gods. I'll start with the "bad."
The finish: Overall its really great. It's a satin, which is cheaper to do than a gloss finish because the last coat goes on flat and does not require buffing. In fact, over time, your arms and such will end up buffing it. So it's not a durable type of finish either. Also, you can't fix tiny flaws, of which there are maybe 1 or 2 that I found. But honestly, this is all completely negligible to consider. The finish is fine. If you expect some amazing finish, you gotta pay. If anything, I can't stand "perfect" looking guitars that look like they haven't been played anyway.
The input jack: When I first plugged in, I used the right angle side of my cable. This was scary. It doesn't work!! I would have to slightly tug at the cable to get a connection. This could be partly due to the design of the cable (Monster mid-range, don't recall exact model). I was slightly bummed but this but honestly not discouraged. At this price, there HAD to be something. LOL. Anyway, I swapped around my cable for the straight end and it works just fine! So for now I'm good but I would like to address the input jack connection soon so it's nothing to ever worry about.
The "good."
The bass sounds amazing. The pickup, they really did not hold back on this thing. It sounds fantastic. The fret board and action is setup very well. Very smooth. The intonation is slightly off on the E and D strings but that's easy to adjust. Honestly impressed with how close they got it to perfect from the factory though. It even stayed in tune all the way from Indonesia. It was cool to immediately play a little lick on it.
Last thoughts for beginners:
I rated this a 4-star guitar for a beginner. It would be 5 stars because it's so amazing for the money but the issue with the input jack is scary enough for a noob. Someone who doesn't know any advanced guitarists or luthiers might end up thinking their bass is "broken" for who knows how long before they address simple issues like that. I know because I've seen it happen. New players will quit practicing because they broke one string. You want the experience to be as easy as possible for a beginner. This is ALMOST their. If you have guidance, you're fine with this instrument.
Another note is the active pickup. Active pickups are just another extra annoyance for someone just learning. They won't appreciate the enhanced tone and will be lazy about replacing batteries. ...but dang it sounds LEGIT.
Model: Red Satin Burst, Ray4.
Add to your order
-
Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) -
24/7 support when you need it. -
Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
3-Year Protection $39.99
4-Year Protection $52.99
Cover all of your eligible devices:
Asurion Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases (Renews Monthly Until Cancelled) $16.99/month
Select a plan
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
Select a plan
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Frequently bought together
$349.99
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers also search
Page 1 of 1Page 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Sterling by Music Man
The official import line of the Ernie Ball Music Man brand family.
Bringing the iconic, timeless instrument designs of Ernie Ball Music Man in a high quality, yet affordable build for musicians of all levels, from the first time buyer, to the seasoned player.
Whether you choose the Spartan, yet amazingly priced Ray4 bass, or the feature packed, eye catching quilted Maple beauty of the mid-priced Ray34QM, the instrument you choose will be of the highest quality that is the lineage of the Ernie Ball Music Man brand family.
A Glance at Ray4 and Ray5
- Ernie Ball Music Man's iconic StingRay design
- Active electronics
- Adjustable truss rod
- High standard dual-inspection process
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
Classic Body LinesIts signature teardrop pickguard, classic control layout, and a myriad of great finishes let you choose just how you want to stand out on stage. |
Humbucker Pickup with Active ElectronicsSingle, noise-free Humbucker pickup drives your sound through our custom designed 9v powered Active Preamp. Individual Volume, Hi and Low Cut/Boost controls are mounted to the trademark chrome control plate. |
"3 + 1" Tuning Key ArrangementAn ingenious design, the “3+1” Tuning Key arrangement makes tuning a snap! It also allows for 'Straight String Pull' across the nut, providing the most accurately tuned playing experience. |
6 Bolt NeckA 6 Bolt Neck joint is a 40+ year Hallmark of the StingRay Bass design and stability. Each instruments individual serial number is also embossed on the neck plate. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Reviews |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| Price | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Number of Strings | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Adjustable Truss Rod | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Active Electronics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adjustable Bridge | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Body Wood | Basswood | Basswood | Mahogany | Mahogany | Mahogany | Swamp Ash |
| Neck Wood | Hard Maple | Hard Maple | Hard Maple | Hard Maple | Hard Maple | Hard Maple |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar in Walnut Satin |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $349.99 | $879.99 | $379.99 | $379.99 | $249.99 | $10.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it May 8 - 13 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it May 9 - 10 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| For beginners | ||||||
| Craftsmanship | ||||||
| Versatility | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Cannon Online | GearNuts | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | GearTree | Amazon.com |
| instrument | Guitar | Guitar | Guitar | Guitar | Guitar | Guitar |
| number of strings | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| operation mode | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| top material | Maple, Basswood | Ash Wood, Rosewood, Maple, Mahogany | Poplar | Maple | Mahogany | — |
| back material | Basswood | Ash Wood, Maple, Rosewood, Mahogany, Basswood | Basswood | Poplar | Mahogany, Basswood | Basswood |
| string material | Nickel | Nickel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Alloy Steel | Nylon |
| finish type | Satin | Black | Unfinished | — | Powder Coated | Powder Coated |
Reviews with images
warning the color on the picture is not the right color of the bass
The bass arrives in perfect condition and to be a 299.99 bass it sound really good, this bass is for practice or to take with you so you more expensive bass don't get damage is a good deal also for beginners but the color in the picture show like the bass is a light cream, more like white pearl and is not like that, this bass is like you see in my pictures, is really cream color, so if you order this because the color you saw on amazon picture be prepared to be disappointed, I don't care about the color because I like stuff that looks different so I was please, now out of the box the action was low enough for me to don't changed, what I did was change the strings for S.I.T David Ellefson signature strings, the strings that came with the bass are not bad but after play for 2h my finger turn black so I understand those strings was cheep and old, so after I switch the strings the bass sound way better, also I fix the intonation because it was not right, those are minors set up for a bass that cost so low...look good and sound preaty good for the price, don't spec this bass to sound like the real Music Man or the sterling that is not SUB edition because is not but sound better that lot of bass i try that are under $350.00
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020
Color: Ruby Red Burst SatinStyle: 4-StringVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
Color: Trans Blus SatinStyle: 4-StringVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
Color: Walnut SatinStyle: 4-StringVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
Color: Vintage CreamStyle: 4-StringVerified Purchase
warning the color on the picture is not the right color of the bass
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
The bass arrives in perfect condition and to be a 299.99 bass it sound really good, this bass is for practice or to take with you so you more expensive bass don't get damage is a good deal also for beginners but the color in the picture show like the bass is a light cream, more like white pearl and is not like that, this bass is like you see in my pictures, is really cream color, so if you order this because the color you saw on amazon picture be prepared to be disappointed, I don't care about the color because I like stuff that looks different so I was please, now out of the box the action was low enough for me to don't changed, what I did was change the strings for S.I.T David Ellefson signature strings, the strings that came with the bass are not bad but after play for 2h my finger turn black so I understand those strings was cheep and old, so after I switch the strings the bass sound way better, also I fix the intonation because it was not right, those are minors set up for a bass that cost so low...look good and sound preaty good for the price, don't spec this bass to sound like the real Music Man or the sterling that is not SUB edition because is not but sound better that lot of bass i try that are under $350.00
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
Images in this review
