Sterling by Music Man StingRay Plus Adds Three Pickup Voices and a Boost
Sterling by Music Man has added a new bass to its SUB Series called the StingRay Plus. Available in four- and five-string configurations, the new model expands the lineup’s tonal options with new electronics to complement its ceramic humbucker and 2-band EQ.
“First, a push-push volume boost provides additional punch and output when players need to solo or step forward in the mix. This boost option gives players a quick way to add more presence without changing their overall setup,” the company writes. “Second, a 3-way switch adds further flexibility, allowing players to move between series, parallel, and single-coil pickup wiring. Each setting offers a distinct voice, from classic StingRay snap to a bigger, hotter sound or a leaner, more articulate tone.”
The Sterling StingRay Plus features a poplar body with an ash veneer that comes in two colorways: Vintage Sunburst and Seafoam Green. Each has a hard maple neck, but the green basses come with a jatoba fingerboard while the sunburst gets a maple board. Other features include block inlays, open gear tuners, and a fixed bridge.
The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Plus is available now at $499 for the four-string and $549 for the five-string. See below for demos and specs for each.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Plus Photos:
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Plus 4 Specs:
| Strings: | 4 |
| Construction: | Bolt-on |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Poplar with Ash Veneer |
| Neck: | Nut Width: |
| 1.5″ | Hard Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Jatoba (SGR), Hard Maple (VSB) |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 9.5″ |
| Frets: | 21 Medium |
| Inlays: | White Pearloid Block (SGR), Black Block Inlays (VSB) |
| Pickups: | H-1 Ceramic Humbucker |
| Electronics: | 1 Push/Push Volume Boost, 2-band Active Preamp |
| Bridge: | Fixed Bridge |
| Tuners: | Open Gear |
| Finish: | Seafoam Green (SGR), Vintage Sunburst (VSB) |
| Pickguard: | White (SGR), Black (VSB) |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand Only |
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Plus 5 Specs:
| Strings: | 5 |
| Construction: | Bolt-on |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Poplar with Ash Veneer |
| Neck: | Hard Maple |
| Nut Width: | 1.77″ |
| Fingerboard: | Jatoba (SGR), Hard Maple (VSB) |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 12″ |
| Frets: | 22 Medium |
| Inlays: | White Pearloid Block (SGR), Black Block Inlays (VSB) |
| Pickups: | H-1 Ceramic Humbucker |
| Electronics: | 1 Push/Push Volume Boost, 2-band Active Preamp |
| Bridge: | Fixed Bridge |
| Tuners: | Open Gear |
| Finish: | Seafoam Green (SGR), Vintage Sunburst (VSB) |
| Pickguard: | White (SGR), Black (VSB) |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand Only |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
