Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special 5 String HH Ebony Fretboard (Mean Blue Burst)

The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5–String represents a refined evolution of a bass design that's defined modern electric bass tone since the early 1980s. This iteration strips away unnecessary weight whilst preserving the core character that's made the StingRay iconic across funk, rock, and progressive music. The Mean Blue Burst finish with ebony fretboard variant combines visual presence with a neck material renowned for its durability and tonal clarity across the instrument's full 34" scale length.

Construction centres on a select hardwood body paired with a roasted maple neck finished in gunstock oil and hand–rubbed wax. The ebony fingerboard hosts 22 stainless steel frets with high profile geometry, whilst the neck widths measure 1–3/4" at the nut, expanding to 2–3/4" at the last fret for ergonomic balance. Electronics comprise an 18–volt, 3–band active preamp delivering volume, treble, mid, and bass control. Neodymium humbucking pickups (single or dual configuration) feed a 5–way lever selector in dual–pickup mode. Lightweight custom Music Man tuning machines and a sculpted neck joint enable access to all frets without compromising structural integrity.

The StingRay Special's weight reduction derives from body wood selection, refined contours, and lightweight hardware throughout–delivering improved neck balance and sustained comfort during extended sessions. A vintage Music Man bridge features chrome–plated steel with nickel–plated saddles, whilst graphite shielding and aluminium–lined pickguard combat electromagnetic interference. The instrument comes strung with Regular Slinky Bass gauge (45–65–80–100–130w), and accepts both active and passive playing styles through its preamp headroom.

Features

• 34" scale length, 22 stainless steel high–profile frets
• Roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard, sculpted joint
• Select hardwood body, high gloss polyester finish
• 18–volt 3–band active preamp: volume, treble, mid, bass
• Neodymium humbucking pickups, 5–way lever selector
• Lightweight custom Music Man tuning machines
• Vintage Music Man bridge, chrome–plated steel construction
• Graphite–shielded body cavity, aluminium–lined pickguard