StingRay 5 Special | Basses | Ernie Ball Music Man

Watch Videos Buy Now

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5-String combines classic tone with modern upgrades for maximum performance. Its ash body, roasted maple neck, and 22 stainless steel frets provide durability, resonance, and a smooth playing experience. The 18-volt, 3-band preamp delivers exceptional headroom and tonal flexibility, while the neodymium pickups offer powerful, clean output in one- or two-pickup configurations. With lightweight hardware, it’s the lightest and most versatile StingRay 5 yet—perfect for stage or studio.

StingRay 5 Special – Black

Your Custom Options:

Model:: 5 String - HH
Color:: Black
Neck:: Roasted Maple w/ Maple Fretboard
Pickguard:: Black
Hardware:: Chrome

Build Code

208-01-10-01-MB-CR

Find a Dealer

StingRay 5 Special Highlights

Neodymium Humbucking Pickups
18 Volt, 3 band EQ active preamp
Roasted maple neck and compensated nut

StingRay Special – Modern Playability

Modern Playability

Optimized and modernized, yet so familiar, this StingRay bass is tailor-made for today’s most discerning players.

5-Bolt Sculpted Neck Joint

The sculpted neck joint provides uninhibited access to all 22 stainless steel frets atop roasted maple necks.
Refined Body Contours

Enhanced body contours are rounded for more comfort in any playing position while retaining that revered, iconic StingRay sound.

StingRay Special – Neodymium Magnets

Powerful Pickups

Neodymium Magnets

The StingRay special electronics feature powerful neodymium magnets, bringing you more output and a wider range of sounds.

StingRay Special – 18-Volt Preamp

18-Volt Preamp

An 18-volt 3-Band preamp for extra clean headroom lets you dial in everything from modern punch to classic, vintage tones.

StingRay Special – Lightweight Performance

Lightweight Performance

The overall reduction in weight is a much-welcomed feature of the Stingray Special. Select body woods, improved contours, and lightweight hardware provide greater overall balance for extra comfort and a more enjoyable playing experience.

Lightweight Hardware

Lightweight tuning machines create a more balanced neck while still providing ultra-reliable tuning stability.

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special Bass

Hear from Ernie Ball Music Man CEO, Sterling Ball, about the history of the StingRay and what's new for 2018.
Ben Kenney of Incubus Demos the StingRay Special in Amethyst Sparkle
Derek Frank Demos Slappy Bass Lines on the StingRay Special
StingRay Special - Sterling Ball
StingRay Special - Stefan Lessard

Introducing the all-new Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special Bass. Available July 3rd in North America and September 3rd globally.
StingRay5 Special in Aqua Sparkle
Stingray Special - Matt Mangano
StingRay Special - Tony Levin

Watch as bass legend Tony Levin discusses his history with the StingRay and what's new for 2018.
StingRay Special - Mike Herrera

Introducing the all-new Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special Bass. Available now in North America and September 3rd globally.
STINGRAY SPECIAL - JOSH WOODARD
Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce's StingRay Special Demo
Guitar World StingRay Bass Demo
Rob Chapman StingRay Special Demo
Sweetwater Review
StingRay Special 4-string in Jet Black
Guitar Center StingRay Special Behind the Scenes Look
Musician's Friend StingRay Special Demo
Musician's Friend 2018 StingRay Special 5-String Demo
Sam Ash StingRay Special Demo/Review
Marc The Bass Wizard
Bass Musician's Magazine Demo of the StingRay Special
Reverb Demo Video
Can You SHRED On A BASS?
Stringray Special 5 Demo
5 INSANELY FUN Video Game Bass Lines
CME Gear Demo | Marc Najjar
N Stuff Music
Zzounds StingRay Special Demo
AMS StingRay Special 4-String Demo
Eli Clark of I Prevail - StingRay Special Demo
HP42 Reviews the StingRay Special in Charcoal Sparkle
Willcut Guitars StingRay Special Demo/Review
Gear Gods Demo of the StingRay Special Bass

Specifications, Schematics & More

Specifications

StingRay 5 Special
Size	13-3/8" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 45-3/4" long (34.0 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 116.2 cm long)
Body Wood	Select Hardwoods
Body Finish	High gloss polyester (Except Black Rock - Matte)
Bridge	Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles
Pickguard	Black, White, Mint, or White Pearloid (dependent on body color)
Scale Length	34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius	11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size	Only 9" (22.9 cm) long
Frets	22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel
Neck Width	1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-3/4"" (69.9 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood	Select roasted maple neck
Fingerboard	Fretted - Maple, Rosewood, or Ebony (dependent on body color)
Neck Finish	Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Neck Colors	Standard – Natural with finished headstock
Tuning Machines	Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
Truss Rod	Adjustable - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment	5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Electronic Shielding	Graphite acrylic resin coated body cavity and aluminum lined pickguard
Controls	3-band active preamp with 18 volts of headroom; vol, treble, mid, bass
Switching	Single Pickup - 3-way lever pickup selector; Dual Pickup - 5-way lever pickup selector
Pickups	Standard - Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets; Optional - Dual Humbucking with Neodymium magnets
Left Handed	No
Strings	45w-65w-80w-100w-130w (Regular Slinky Bass #2836)

Compare Specs

Select an instrument

Specifications	StingRay 5 Special	—
Size	13-3/8" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 45-3/4" long (34.0 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 116.2 cm long)
Body Wood	Select Hardwoods
Body Finish	High gloss polyester (Except Black Rock - Matte)
Body Colors
Body Bindings
Bridge	Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles
Pickguard	Black, White, Mint, or White Pearloid (dependent on body color)
Scale Length	34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius	11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size	Only 9" (22.9 cm) long
Frets	22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel
Neck Width	1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-3/4"" (69.9 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood	Select roasted maple neck
Fingerboard	Fretted - Maple, Rosewood, or Ebony (dependent on body color)
Fret Markers
Neck Finish	Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Neck Colors	Standard – Natural with finished headstock
Neck Binding
Tuning Machines	Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
Truss Rod	Adjustable - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment	5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Electronic Shielding	Graphite acrylic resin coated body cavity and aluminum lined pickguard
Controls	3-band active preamp with 18 volts of headroom; vol, treble, mid, bass
Switching	Single Pickup - 3-way lever pickup selector; Dual Pickup - 5-way lever pickup selector
Pickups	Standard - Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets; Optional - Dual Humbucking with Neodymium magnets
Left Handed	No
Strings	45w-65w-80w-100w-130w (Regular Slinky Bass #2836)

Control Function Diagrams

Product Registration

Register your instrument to activate its warranty and hear about updates for it.

Register Your Instrument

California Proposition 65 WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov (opens in a new tab)

The Factory Tour

Since 1984, Ernie Ball Music Man has been crafting instruments in San Luis Obispo, California. Watch the factory tour and see how the difference is in the details.

Watch Now

Buy Your Instrument

Find a dealer in your area to get started with your order

Find a Dealer

Join the Family

Get our official newsletter for news, updates, and special offers