Sterling by Music Man Sub Ray 5 Honeyburst Satin

This second hand bass is in great condition

The Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray5 is an affordable yet powerful 5-string bass, inspired by the legendary Music Man StingRay 5. Known for its fat, punchy tone, aggressive attack, and ergonomic design, the Ray5 delivers the essence of the iconic StingRay sound at a fraction of the price. Whether you're a beginner looking for your first 5-string bass or a seasoned player in need of a budget-friendly workhorse, this bass has a lot to offer.

Build & Design

Sterling keeps the Ray5 true to the classic StingRay look, with a modern double-cutaway body, a powerful humbucking pickup, and a signature oval pickguard.

• Body Material: Basswood – lightweight and comfortable for long gigs
• Neck: Hard maple with a satin finish
• Frets: 22 medium jumbo frets
• Scale Length: 34” standard scale
• Bridge: Fixed Heavy-Duty Bridge for solid tuning stability

The body shape is well-contoured and comfortable, with smooth edges that make it easy to play for hours. The satin-finished neck is a big plus, offering fast, effortless movement without the sticky feel of a glossy neck.

Electronics & Tone

What really makes a StingRay-style bass special is its aggressive, growling tone, and the Sterling Ray5 delivers exactly that.

• Pickup: Single Ceramic Humbucker in the bridge position
• Preamp: Active 2-band EQ (Bass & Treble controls)
• Power: 9V battery required

How It Sounds

Thick & Punchy – The humbucking pickup provides a deep, focused tone with plenty of low-end power.
Bright & Clear – The ceramic pickup ensures crisp highs and a tight, defined midrange.
Snappy Attack – Great for slap bass, funk, and rock tones.

While it lacks the 3-band EQ of the full-fledged StingRay, the 2-band active preamp still offers plenty of tone-shaping. You can easily dial in a deep reggae thump, a cutting punk-rock grind, or a funky slap tone.

Playability & Feel

• Neck Profile: Comfortable C-shape, easy to navigate for a 5-string
• String Spacing: Slightly narrower than a full StingRay, but still spacious enough for slap techniques
• Fret Access: Good upper fret access, though high-register playing takes some effort
• B-string Response: Tight and well-defined, especially compared to other budget 5-string basses

For players transitioning to a 5-string, the Ray5’s neck is comfortable and not overly chunky, making the switch easier.

Hardware & Reliability

• Tuners: Standard open-gear tuners (decent tuning stability, but could be better)
• Bridge: Fixed bridge with solid saddles (good sustain and stability)
• Nut Width: 45mm (1.77”) – slightly wider than a 4-string, but still manageable

The hardware is solid, though not as premium as the higher-end StingRay models. The tuners hold tuning fairly well, but if you play hard, you may need to tune up more often.

The Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray5 is one of the best budget 5-string basses available. It captures the signature StingRay punch and power, while still being affordable and easy to play. Its tone, feel, and value for money make it a fantastic choice for any bassist looking to step into the 5-string world without breaking the bank.