Five Strings, That Sound, and a Finish That Turns Heads
There's a reason the StingRay bass has been a stage staple for decades — that punchy, authoritative low end with scoopable mids and sparkle up top is practically its own genre. The Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 delivers that DNA in a 5-string format, and this Purple Sparkle finish means it looks as bold under the lights as it sounds through the PA. The roasted maple neck is one of those details that feels immediately right once your hand wraps around it — smooth, stable, and a little lighter than you'd expect.
This is a B-Stock unit directly from Sterling by Music Man, set up by our licensed tech before it ships to you. If you've been eyeing a RAY35 and want the classic StingRay voice with that extra low B string, this is a smart way to get there.
The Body and Neck: Built for Long Nights
The RAY35's body is carved from nyatoh — a dense, resonant tonewood with a character not far from mahogany — and contoured with a curved armrest and belly cut that make hours behind this bass genuinely comfortable. It's the kind of ergonomic thoughtfulness that you notice immediately and then forget about entirely because you're too busy playing.
The neck is roasted hard maple, joined to the body with a 6-bolt pattern for a rock-solid connection. Roasting pushes moisture out of the wood through a heat-treating process, which reduces the neck's weight and makes it significantly more resistant to warping from temperature and humidity changes. For a working bassist who moves between venues, vans, and climate-controlled stages, that stability matters. The 22 medium frets sit over a rosewood fingerboard with a 12" radius, a 34" standard scale length, and a 1.77" nut width — comfortable for most players moving from a 4-string.
Electronics: The StingRay Voice, Fully Adjustable
The RAY35's single Music Man-designed alnico humbucker is positioned in that classic StingRay bridge location, and it delivers the thump and growl the platform is known for. Alnico magnets give it a warmth and dynamic sensitivity that you can really dig into. Paired with the onboard 9-volt 3-band active preamp, you have individual control over lows, mids, and highs — a level of tone-shaping versatility that goes well beyond a passive setup.
The 5-way pickup selector gives you access to both full-humbucker and coil-split configurations, meaning single-coil sounds are a flick away when you want something a little more focused or funky. Whether you're laying down a thick R&B foundation, cutting through a rock mix, or hunting for that Marcus Miller-style slap tone, the RAY35's electronics give you the tools to get there.
Product Features:
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Body: Contoured nyatoh with curved armrest and belly cut
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Neck: Roasted hard maple, bolt-on with 6-bolt attachment
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Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" radius, 22 medium frets
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Scale Length: 34" standard scale
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Nut Width: 1.77" (45mm)
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Pickup: 1 Music Man-designed alnico humbucker (bridge position)
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Electronics: 3-band active preamp (9-volt), 5-way pickup selector
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Bridge: Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge
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Tuners: Open-gear tuning machines
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Strings: 5-String configuration with low B
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Finish: Purple Sparkle
This item is a "B-Stock Bass Guitar" directly from the manufacturer. It is NEW Stock that has never been owned. Pictures are of the actual Bass Guitar you will receive.
We will have our licensed tech go over the Bass Guitar and set it up for you. On this Bass Guitar, Sterling states it is B-Stock due to scratch at heel (see pictures). This may not be the only defect that causes it to be a B-Stock, but it is the one identified.
Brand: Sterling by Music Man
Model: StingRay RAY35
SKU: ST-RAY35-PSK-R2-2ND|SR70442
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.
