STERLING BY MUSIC MAN StingRay Plus Vintage Sunburst

The StingRay spirit in a modern and assertive version

The StingRay Plus 4-string bass retains the hallmarks that made these basses successful: a direct, punchy, and immediately recognizable character. Here, we find a seemingly simple approach that is incredibly effective in practice: a humbucker bridge pickup, active electronics, and ergonomics designed to deliver a sound that easily cuts through a mix.

In this iteration, the model emphasizes a clear visual and sonic personality. The poplar body provides a balanced foundation, while certain finishes add an extra identity, such as the Vintage Sunburst version with its ash veneer and maple fingerboard, or the Seafoam Green finish with its jatoba fingerboard. This variation preserves the model's DNA while offering a different aesthetic and tactile feel depending on the chosen finish.

For which bassist and styles?

This 4-string electric bass is well suited for serious beginners, intermediate, or advanced players seeking a versatile instrument that is immediately playable and capable of delivering real character. The 34" / 864 mm scale length corresponds to the most common standard on electric basses, facilitating handling, string choice, and playing landmarks.

Its format suits both band work and home recording. The dynamic response of the humbucker, combined with the 2-band active preamp, allows you to shift from a round, deep tone to a more snappy attack depending on the settings. It will therefore find its place in varied genres such as rock, pop, funk, soul, indie, modern blues, or cover contexts where versatility remains essential.

The neck with a 9.5" / 241 mm radius offers an interesting compromise between chord comfort, left-hand precision, and ease of movement. The 21 medium frets make it enjoyable for traditional lines as well as for more energetic parts requiring precision and articulation. It is an instrument that can accompany a progressing bassist over time without feeling limiting as demands increase.

A punchy, full, and easy-to-shape sound

The sonic personality of this StingRay Plus 4-string primarily rests on its ceramic humbucker pickup. This type of pickup is appreciated for its generous output, clear attack, and ability to maintain definition even when playing becomes more aggressive. Installed in such a direct configuration, it favors a present, readable bass that is particularly effective at supporting the groove without getting lost in the mix.

The 2-band active preamp further expands possibilities. It allows quick adjustment of bass and treble to adapt the bass to the room, amplifier, or playing style. You can thus achieve a more massive and enveloping sound for foundational lines, or conversely emphasize attack, snap, and brightness for more percussive parts played with fingers, pick, or slap. The Push/Push volume boost adds a practical energy reserve to increase impact depending on the playing context.

The 3-position selector switch also contributes to this versatility by allowing modification of the pickup's overall behavior according to the desired character. Without complicating use, it provides access to several useful tonal responses, which is valuable for a bassist wanting a simple-to-adjust instrument that is not monolithic. The philosophy remains very musical: few unnecessary controls, but settings that truly change the feel under the fingers.

From a lutherie standpoint, the poplar body contributes to an interesting overall balance, with a homogeneous response that lets the electronics and pickup fully express their personality. The maple neck, with a livelier feel, promotes attack precision and overall stability. Depending on the finish, the jatoba fingerboard offers a firm touch and slight visual and sonic warmth, while the maple fingerboard of the Vintage Sunburst version enhances the bright, fast, and incisive upper register.

The fixed bridge helps maintain tuning stability, instrument stability, and consistent vibration transmission. Paired with Open Gear tuners, it provides a reassuring feel for tuning and daily use. Finally, the double-action truss rod is a real plus for fine-tuning the neck adjustment according to string gauge, climate, or playing preferences.

Recommended compatible accessories

If you want to equip this bass without risk of error, the most obvious choice is a set of 4-string long scale bass strings with .045-.105 gauge, perfectly suited to its 34" / 864 mm scale length and the original string setup. This is the safest solution to maintain the balance of tension, playing comfort, and sonic response intended for this model.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	H	Scale (mm)	864 mm
Type of tuners	Open	Scalloped	Double
Microphone type	Humbucker	Body	Poplar
Category	Other	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Format	Stingray	Nbre of pickups	1
Left handed	No	Bridge pickup	Humbucker
Truss Rod	Double-action	Electronics	Active
Strings	Steel	Selector	3-position
Nbr of strings	4	Settings	2-band equalization, Boost
Top	Ash	Headstock	Matched with the body color
Neck	Maple	Color	Sunburst
Radius	24 cm	Colours	Vintage Sunburst
Nut Width	38 mm	Finishing	Varnished
Fingerboard	Maple	Origin	Indonesia
Nbrs of frets	21

Type	4-string electric bass	Bridge	fixed
Vintage Sunburst Version	poplar with ash veneer	Tuners	Open Gear
Key	jatoba on Seafoam Green finishing	Original strings	.045-.105
Scale length	34" / 864 mm	Pickup	1 ceramic humbucker
Number of frets	21	Preamp	active 2-band
Fret type	medium	Control	volume with Push/Push boost