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SKU MUSICM-108-OP-RS-18

Ernie Ball Music Man BFR StingRay Special HH 4-String Bass, Dargie Delight, Ebony Fretboard

$2,799.00
Free 2-Day Shipping
  • Music Man BFR StingRay Special HH
  • Dargie Delight Finish w/ Matching Headstock
  • Select Ash Body
  • Maple Neck - Dargie Delight Finish
  • Ebony Fretboard
  • 11" Radius
  • 1 5/8" Nut Width
  • 2x Music Man Neodymium Humbucker Pickups
  • Redesigned 18V 3-Band Active Preamp
  • Volume, Low, Mid, High Controls + 5-Way Pickup Selector
  • Scale Length 34"
  • 22 Stainless Steel Frets - High Profile, Wide
  • Black Hardware
  • Schaller BM Tuners with Tapered Posts
  • 5 Bolt Neck Plate
  • Graphite Acrylic Resin Coated Body Cavity and Chrome Plated Brass Control Cover
  • Molded Plastic Music Man Hardshell Case and Case Candy
  • Limited Edition # 78 out of 98
  • Serial #: F85171
  • Instrument Weight: 9.2 lbs.

Player's Perspective

Music Store Live is proud to offer up this Ball Family Reserve StingRay Special HH. There were only 98 of these made in total for worldwide distribution so this is quite the limited edition piece to add to any collector's arsenal.

This bass is a modern take on a classic, yet revolutionary design. After Leo Fender's near-death experience which caused him to sell Fender to CBS, he went to work for Music Man and paired up with the late great, Mr. Thunder Thumbs himself, Louis Johnson. Together they came up with a bass that had a more pronounced hi-mid range and treble response. It needed to growl and cut through the mix in a way that a P-bass and a J simply could not. The result was an active bass with a ton of power under the hood. Used in everything from disco, funk, and R&B to rock, punk, metal, blues, and even country, the StingRay has some killer in-your-face tone that still manages to avoid stepping on anyone else's toes. It has tremendous resonance, incomparably tight lows and a punchy top end that's a total knockout.

The neck is very comfortable and satiny smooth with the gun oil finish, which makes for a comfortable feel and a fast ride all the way up and down. This is one of those instruments that's put together well enough to let you feel every little vibration of every note you play. The layout is easy to work with yet provides a wide variety of exceptional tones. This axe will make a killer companion on the road and in the studio.

The fretboard is made out of a beautiful slab of rosewood and pairs extremely well with the roasted maple neck. The stainless steel frets on the fretboard add a touch of brightness to the tone as well as lasting virtually forever. The roasted maple neck is finished in gunstock oil and wax for a satin feel that makes you just want to keep playing this bass for days.

This configuration emphasizes all of the amazing qualities of the StingRay for an instrument that just sounds and feels unbelievable. The 2 pickup design adds even more versatility to the traditional StingRay. The 18V preamp has all of the headroom you could possibly ever need. The neodymium magnets on the new pickups provide some solid punch and higher output than the old alnico ones for better application for more modern tones. It's all designed to give you control and sonic power right at your fingertips. The idea for the StingRay special is a simple one: What would the StingRay be like if it had been invented and designed today, for today's music.

Ernie Ball Music Man has hit a home run with this redesign of the StingRay, and when it's from the Ball Family Reserve (BFR) collection you know you're getting something extra special.

Manufacturer's Description

Limited to just 98 pieces worldwide, this StingRay Special HH features an exclusive satin Dargie Delight 3 finish that covers the entire body, headstock and back of the neck. The ebony fretboard omits traditional face dot inlays in favor of two "Runway" pearl inlays that outline the fretboard on both sides. Black hardware and a 5 ply black/cream/black/cream/black pickguard complete the aesthetic. Each bass ships with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

REIMAGINED - REBUILT FROM THE GROUND UP
Optimized, modernized, yet so familiar, the new StingRay bass is tailor-made for today’s most discerning players.

5-BOLT SCULPTED NECK JOINT
The sculpted neck joint provides uninhibited access to all 22 stainless steel frets atop roasted maple necks.

REFINED BODY CONTOURS
Enhanced body contours are rounded for more comfort in any playing position while retaining that revered, iconic StingRay sound.

REVOICED - POWERFUL NEODYMIUM PICKUPS
The new and improved StingRay electronics feature powerful neodymium magnets, bringing you more output and a wider range of sounds.

NEW 18-VOLT PREAMP
A newly designed 18-volt 3-Band preamp for extra clean headroom lets you dial in everything from modern punch to classic, vintage tones.

REBORN - LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE
Weighing in at an average of only eight and a half pounds, the StingRay is lighter than ever but still packs its signature punch.

REENGINEERED HARDWARE
Re-engineered lightweight tuning machines create a more balanced neck while still providing ultra-reliable tuning stability.

Overall Condition

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized Premier Dealer for Ernie Ball Music Man. This BFR StingRay Special HH is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer's warranty. Photos are of the exact bass you'll receive.

Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.