Five Strings, Two Humbuckers, One Iconic Tone
There's a reason the StingRay name has been showing up on stages and studio floors for decades. Sterling by Music Man's RAY35HH takes that lineage and packs it into a 5-string, dual-humbucker platform that's ready to work. The Charcoal Frost finish looks the part whether you're under stage lights or parked on a studio couch, and the parchment pickguard gives it just the right vintage touch.
The RAY35HH is built around a nyatoh body with smooth, contoured edges and a roasted maple neck — that roasting process makes the wood more stable and resistant to humidity changes, which is a genuinely useful thing when you're gigging in different climates. With two alnico humbuckers, a 5-way selector, and a 3-band active preamp all working together, this bass gives you a lot of tonal territory to explore from a single instrument.
If you're a player who wants real StingRay character in a 5-string that can cover funky low-B grunt and clean fingerstyle alike, the RAY35HH is a smart, well-sorted package — especially in this B-Stock opportunity.
This item is a B-Stock guitar sourced directly from the manufacturer. It is new and has never been previously owned. The photos shown are of the exact instrument you will receive. Before shipment, our licensed technician will inspect and professionally set up the guitar to ensure it is playing its best. During our inspection, we noticed a finish crack at the heel. (see pictures) Please note, these may not be the only cosmetic imperfections. As a B-Stock instrument, there may be additional minor blemishes that are small in nature and do not affect playability or performance.
Dual Alnico Humbuckers + 5-Way Switching
The two Music Man-designed alnico humbuckers sit at the heart of the RAY35HH's tonal identity. Alnico magnets deliver a warmer, more nuanced character than ceramic alternatives — you get a focused low end, punchy mids, and a top end that stays clear without getting brittle. On their own, each pickup has its own distinct voice; neck for warmer, fuller tones and bridge for cut and clarity.
The 5-way selector switch lets you blend and combine those two pickups in configurations that go well beyond the standard "neck/both/bridge" setup. Series, parallel, and single-coil modes are all available, giving you access to a wide range of sounds without ever touching your amp settings. The onboard 3-band active preamp then lets you fine-tune bass, mid, and treble — so you can dial in exactly what the mix needs.
Roasted Maple Neck and Rosewood Fingerboard
The roasted maple neck on the RAY35HH is one of its most player-friendly features. Heat treatment drives out the moisture that wood naturally holds, which means the neck resists warping and humidity swings much better than an untreated neck would. It also results in a notably smooth satin feel under the hand — comfortable on long sets without any stickiness.
The 22-fret rosewood fingerboard has a 12" radius — flatter than a vintage spec, which makes bending easier and chords more comfortable in the upper register. Nut width is 1.77" (45mm), widening out to 2.72" (69mm) at the last fret. That spacing gives the B string its own room to breathe, which matters for clean articulation at the low end. White dot markers keep things clean and readable under any lighting.
Solidbody Nyatoh Construction and Hardware
The nyatoh body is solidbody construction with contoured edges — double cutaway for upper fret access, rounded forearm and body bevels for comfort during longer playing sessions. Nyatoh is tonally similar to mahogany: warm, full through the midrange, with solid sustain. The Charcoal Frost finish sits on top with a painted gloss treatment that shows the color cleanly.
Hardware is equally no-nonsense: a Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge for stable intonation and good string transfer, open-gear tuners that hold tune reliably, and a dual-action truss rod for precise neck relief adjustment. The 6-bolt neck attachment keeps the joint tight and solid — a Sterling hallmark that helps with resonance and sustain.
Product Features:
- Body: Solidbody nyatoh, double cutaway with contoured edges
- Neck: Roasted maple, 6-bolt attachment, satin finish
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" radius, 22 medium frets, white dot markers
- Scale Length: 34" (86.4cm)
- Nut Width: 1.77" (45mm)
- Pickups: 2 Music Man-designed alnico humbuckers (HH configuration)
- Electronics: 3-band active preamp (9V), 5-way pickup selector switch
- Bridge: Sterling by Music Man-Designed Bridge
- Tuners: Open-gear
- Finish: Charcoal Frost with parchment pickguard
- Strings: Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
Brand: Sterling by Music Man
Model: StingRay5 RAY35HH
SKU: ST-RAY35HH-CFR-R2-2ND|S110779
Condition: B-Stock
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
