Music Man Short Scale StingRay Tobacco Burst

The Essentials to Know About the Short Scale StingRay Bass - Tobacco Burst

• Short 30" / 762 mm scale length: immediate playability, reduced string spacing, and a more relaxed feel across the entire neck.


• Passive neodymium StingRay humbucker pickup: a round, "thumpy" low end with strong output and well-defined attack.


• 3-position rotary selector switch (parallel / single coil / series): three tonal personalities without a preamp, from snappy funk to dense rock.


• Made in the USA with 22 stainless steel frets and a roasted maple neck: precision, stability, and fast feel.

A Short Scale StingRay Reimagined for Comfort

The Short Scale StingRay retains the sonic DNA that made the StingRay family famous, while translating it into a more compact format. The idea is simple: keep that clear and musical character but with a short scale that facilitates movement and softens the tension feel under the fingers. Here, the approach is decidedly direct and organic thanks to passive electronics, while maintaining high-end features (stainless steel frets, lightweight tuners, 5-bolt neck joint). In this glossy Tobacco Burst finish, it combines a classic look with modern feel.

Who Is It For and What Styles? A Versatile and Accessible Short Scale Bass

This bass is aimed equally at beginners seeking a first "real" comfortable bass, as well as intermediate and advanced players looking for a no-compromise short scale. The 30" / 762 mm scale length makes fast passages, position shifts, and precise lines easier to play, while being comfortable for small hands or guitarists switching to bass.

In terms of styles, the Short Scale StingRay excels in rock, pop, indie, soul, and funk. In parallel mode, it maintains definition and clarity ideal for articulated grooves. In series mode, it thickens the low mids to support a dense mix. And the single coil mode offers sharper attacks and more "old school" nuances, perfect for fingerstyle or pick playing.

Tone: The StingRay Passive Grain, Between Warmth and Impact

The core of the sound comes from the StingRay neodymium humbucker pickup. The neodymium provides an energetic response and strong presence while preserving a generous low end: easily achieving that round and punchy character that fills the space with a clear attack. Being passive enhances the natural and dynamic feel: the bass responds subtly to right-hand technique, volume control, and playing intensity.

The 3-position rotary selector is a true musical tool. In parallel, the sound remains open, clean, and balanced, ideal for funk lines and grooves that need to "breathe." In single coil, you gain a finer, more aggressive texture, very effective for pick attacks and incisive grooves. In series, output increases and the low mids thicken: perfect for rock riffs, choruses that need to fill the stage, or a more massive fingerstyle. The package is completed by an ash body, known for its balance and good projection, and a roasted maple neck/fretboard with a dry, fast feel that promotes attack and precision.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original feel, a set of short scale strings 45-65-85-105 is the natural choice (factory setup: Short Scale Regular Slinky Bass 2852). A soft case is already included: the Mono Soft Case, convenient for travel and rehearsals.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	H	Scalloped	Double
Format	Short Scale	Body	Ash
Strings	Steel	Electronics	Passive
Nbr of strings	4	Color	Sunburst
Fingerboard	Maple	Finishing	Glossy
Nbrs of frets	22	Hardware	Chromed

Type	electric bass	Fretboard finish	"gunstock" oil and special hand-applied wax blend
Construction	Solidbody	Radius	11" / 279.4 mm
Wood	ash	Inlays	dots
Finish	high gloss polyester	Side markers	dots
Pickguard	black, 3-ply BWBT	Frets	22, stainless steel, tall and wide profile
Neck wood	roasted maple	Scale length	30" / 762 mm
Neck color	natural	Nut	compensated melamine
Attachment	5 bolts	Nut width	1.5" / 38.1 mm
Profile	C	Headstock	natural finish
Thickness at 1st fret	0.833" / 21.16 mm	Hardware color	chrome
Thickness at 12th fret	0.936" / 23.77 mm	Bridge	Vintage Music Man, top-loading, chrome steel plate, vintage nickel steel saddles
Truss rod	adjustable without removing parts or strings	Tuners	Custom Music Man, lightweight, tapered shafts, ergonomic "clover" design
Neck finish	"gunstock" oil and special hand-applied wax blend	Knobs	domed with knurled edge
Fretboard	roasted maple