But recent dual-pickup models have broadened its appeal (Soundroom, August ’06), and one pickup or not, the StingRay 5 has always seemed a bit more flexible than the legendary 4. Its electronics offer additional versatility via a three-way pickup-control switch and 3-band boost/cut EQ, and its distinctive body shape seems stouter than its little brother. To celebrate the 5’er, Music Man jazzed it up in the form of a 20th anniversary model. It differs in several significant ways from the standard production StingRay 5: A mahogany “tone block” lies underneath the top from the neck to the bridge, just below the figured maple top; the classic Music Man teardrop pickguard is eliminated to accentuate the top; the pickup gets Alnico magnets, as opposed to the standard ceramic; and the preamp has been upgraded for additional low-frequency response, sustain, and clarity.
Part of the StingRay’s distinctive visual appeal is lost with the 20th-anniversary model. I missed the pickguard, although it’s still available via the standard StingRay 5. Nevertheless, the top was indeed beautiful, with a flawless finish and elegant maple veneer. Our tester’s construction and attention to detail was near perfect: The wondrously smooth neck finish felt fantastic; the hardware was high quality and solidly installed, and the fretwork, electronics installation, and setup were faultless. A quick shout-out to the StingRay trussrod adjustment wheel: It requires no special tools (just a thin, rigid something-or-other; say, an allen wrench or screwdriver), and is easily accessed at the neck’s body end. I wish this idea would work its way into the bass building mainstream—it’s the cat’s pajamas.
Our test StingRay was on the heavy side, but its superb balance and setup lent it comfy playability. I tend to rest my thumb on the B string when I play fingerstyle on a 5-string, but those who favor a pickup anchor are naturally handicapped by the single-pickup design. Comes with the territory.
With the various coil combinations the pickup switch affords and the 3-band EQ, the StingRay 5 does present varied tone, despite the single pickup configuration. It won’t match two-pickup variety (if you want that, opt for one of the optional dual-pickup configurations), but its tone would be useful in many musical styles: zingy, but fat, thick, and supportive. The StingRay 5 makes itself sonically present in a band context, with an assertive grind in the lower mids and a top that sparkles and shimmers, especially in the parallel humbucking mode. The EQ was well voiced and usable throughout its range—an extreme boost of any one band didn’t result in pointlessly unbalanced tone. True to form, the StingRay 5 was a killin’ slap bass, with a subtle hollowness to the mids and forceful acceleration to the deep lows and brilliant highs. The B string was terrific. Its substantial pitch definition and even response made it sound coherent with the other strings, a quality lacking in some 5s.
The StingRay 5 has always been a no-sweat option for good tone and looks, and the 20th anniversary model honors that tradition effectively. Its unique design may offer subtly different tone than the standard model, but its appeal lies more in its distinctive look and possible collectability.
List $2,899
Street $2,000
Pros Solid, supportive tone with a knack for the slap; excellent construction
Cons Not the most versatile bass, sound-wise, but then again, that’s not the deal
Bottom Line A beautifully built bass with a first-rate selection of good tones.
Contact 866-823-2255 www.ernieball.com/mmonline
TECH SPECS
Scale length 34"
Weight 10 lbs
Body Ash with quilted maple top and mahogany “tone block”
Neck Maple
Fingerboard Rosewood
Nut Compensated
Neck width at nut 13/4"
Neck width at 22nd fret 2 3/4"
Pickup Music Man humbucker with Alnico magnets
Tone controls Bass, mid, treble
Pickup switch function From neck to bridge: Humbucking mode, series; humbucking mode, series modified (with voicing filter); humbucking mode, parallel
Hardware Schaller tuners, Music Man bridge
Options StingRay 5 HH ($2,070); StingRay 5 HS ($2,070)
Made in U.S.A.
Hardshell case Included
Warranty One year limited