With the Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35QM MN Neptune Blue, the subsidiary of the Californian active bass pioneer presents a 5-string version of the legendary StingRay electric bass that appeals with an extended range and a chic look. The five-string instrument features a contoured mahogany body with cloud maple top, a sixfold screwed maple neck, an Alnico humbucker and an active 3-band tone control.
For the construction of the Sterling by Music Man Ray 35 traditional woods are used. The contoured body is made of mahogany with a maple top, while the six-screw neck is made of maple and carries a rosewood fingerboard. Accordingly, the Fivestring has a crisp basic sound with rich attack punch and even sustain, which also integrates the low B-string into the sound with harmonic directness and precision. For particularly pleasant bass playing, the Sterling Ray35 has a comfortable neck profile on which the most complex grooves can be easily handled.
The Sterling by Music Man Ray35 QM MN Neptune Blue uses a fat Alnico humbucker as pickup, whose installation position contributes significantly to the characteristic StingRay sound. Accordingly, the bass at the amplifier delivers a rich power sound, whose powerful bass punch and characteristic high pitch lisping penetrate every note in the band sound. The low B-string is also reproduced with precise articulation and concise pressure. The 3-way switch allows the humbucker to be played with coils connected in series or parallel and split, providing different sound nuances. In addition, the bass sound can be precisely adjusted using the active 3-band equalizer.
On the Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray, a heavy-duty bridge serves as a bridge, whose heavy construction contributes to the distinctive individual sound of the bass. In addition, individually adjustable string riders promise a perfect string position and intonation at all times. Five open vintage-style tuners in the typical "4+1" arrangement also ensure a precise and stable tuning of the five-string.
This is really good instrument. Soundvise it is great, I had ErnieBall MusicMan for comparation and this is allmost the same instrument without compensated nut and with cheaper battery compartment. Frets could be done better but it is still good. Good 3-way switch and 3-band eq for wide versatility of sounds. Beautiful QM finish! Great MM for the price!