Music Man StingRay Special Violet Sparkle Burst

StingRay Special: the StingRay between heritage and modern demands

The Music Man StingRay has established itself as a benchmark electric bass thanks to a clear sonic identity, immediate attack, and a natural presence that effortlessly "holds" a track. With the StingRay Special, the idea is not to reinvent the signature but to push it further: improved comfort, faster feel under the fingers, and electronics designed to offer more control and dynamics. In this Violet Sparkle Burst finish, you find a high-end bass crafted for today's bassists who want the StingRay character but with a more precise response and an even more refined playing experience.

Who is this 4-string (H) StingRay Special for?

This StingRay Special is primarily aimed at intermediate to expert bassists seeking a professional, reliable, and expressive bass capable of switching from highly articulated pick playing to rounder fingerstyle without losing definition. The "H" configuration keeps it simple: one pickup, direct response, and easy placement in a dense mix.

In terms of styles, it excels in funk (snappy slap, clean attacks), rock (solid low-mids, convincing sustain), pop and contemporary music (tight lows, clear notes), and more broadly in any situation where the bass must provide a solid foundation while remaining precise, even with pronounced EQ settings.

A StingRay sound: punch, definition, and control

The heart of this StingRay Special is its neodymium magnet humbucker. This type of magnet is prized for its very fast response feel and detailed reproduction: the attack immediately stands out, notes remain clear when played hard, and the low end stays tight. In the "H" configuration, the sound is intentionally direct: firm lows, mids that cut through, and highs that can range from a modern bite to a softer brightness depending on the right hand and settings.

The 18V 3-band active preamp plays a major role in versatility: the dynamic headroom helps keep the signal clean and full even when boosting the EQ. You can sculpt a very "punchy" bass for live, slightly scoop the mids for a clean slap, or conversely boost presence to stand out in the mix, without any sense of compression. Finally, the combination of roasted maple neck and stainless steel frets enhances attack precision and speed feel while ensuring excellent durability for an instrument meant to be played frequently.

Recommended compatible accessories

To maintain the original feel and tension balance, you can choose a 4-string set with gauges 45-65-80-100 (like the factory-installed set). A good quality instrument jack cable is also advisable to fully enjoy the dynamics of the active preamp and reduce unwanted noise.

Technical specifications

Left handed	No	Nbr of strings	4
Strings	Steel	Color	Purple

Model	StingRay Special	Frets	22 (high profile, wide, stainless steel)
Configuration	4 strings - H (1 humbucker)	Neck width	1-11/16" / 42.86 mm at nut; 2-1/2" / 63.5 mm at last fret
Body wood	Select Hardwoods	Truss rod	adjustable
Finish	high-gloss polyester	Neck-to-body attachment	5 bolts (precise alignment, no offset); sculpted heel for smooth upper fret access
Dimensions (shape)	13-1/2" / 343 mm wide, 1-5/8" / 41 mm thick, 44-7/8" / 1140 mm long	Headstock length	8-3/4" / 222 mm
Pickguard	Vintage White Pearloid	Hardware	chrome
Neck wood	roasted maple	Bridge	Vintage Music Man top-loaded, chrome steel plate, nickel vintage-finish steel saddles
Fingerboard	rosewood	Tuners	Custom Music Man lightweight, tapered shafts, ergonomic "clover" design
Neck finish	"gunstock" oil and special hand-applied wax	Pickup	1 humbucker with neodymium magnets
Neck color	natural with finished headstock	Preamp	active 3-band with 18 volts of headroom
Scale length	34" / 864 mm	Controls	volume, treble, midrange, bass
Radius	11" / 279 mm	Original strings (gauges)	45w-65w-80w-100w (Super Slinky Bass 2834)