Sterling by Music Man StingRay 5QM Electric Bass, 5-String
No longer available at zZounds
Capture that classic StingRay sound at a fantastic price with the 5QM from Sterling. This 5-stringer boasts a heavy-duty humbucking pickup for iconic tone.
What's special about this item?
| Feature: | What it does: |
|---|---|
| African mahogany body | Bright tone with clear midrange and treble |
| Maple neck | Bright tone, full sustain and strength |
| Music Man humbuckers with alnico magnets | Full, dynamic, focused tone and response |
| 3-band EQ | Control bass, midrange and treble individually |
Overview
The Sterling By Music Man Ray35QM pays tribute to that iconic Music Man StingRay 5 bass design in look, feel and powerful, punchy sound. The Ray35QM bass features a select, even grained African Mahogany body, offering a rich, round sound for a deep bottom end, pronounced mids, and clear voiced highs. The top of the bass is adorned with rich, highly figured Quilted Maple, which shows off the Neptune Blue finish beautifully. The visually stunning craftsmanship imparts a stunning beauty that shows its lineage in the highly sought-after Ball Family Reserve instruments.
The electronics are feature packed, and include a 3-position pickup selector that allows the player to choose from: Series, Parallel, and Series with Filter. The triumvirate of the AlNiCo magnet in the Music Man designed humbucker, the tones from the Music Man designed 3-band preamp and 3 position pickup selector truly capture that "StingRay Sound" and showcase the incredible versatility of the Ray35QM. Ray35QM's Sterling by Music Man bass bridge is modeled after the heavy-duty Music Man design, and features 5 fully adjustable and intonatable steel barrel saddles for fantastic tone. Similarly, the tuning keys on the 4+1 trademark design headstock are also of rugged, 20:1 ratio, heavy duty design. Whether at home or on the road, all of the hardware will give the player years of trouble free, accurate playability. Manufactured in Indonesia by Master Craftsmen, the Ray35QM in Neptune Blue is truly a benchmark instrument… read more for the Sterling By Music Man line. read less
The electronics are feature packed, and include a 3-position pickup selector that allows the player to choose from: Series, Parallel, and Series with Filter. The triumvirate of the AlNiCo magnet in the Music Man designed humbucker, the tones from the Music Man designed 3-band preamp and 3 position pickup selector truly capture that "StingRay Sound" and showcase the incredible versatility of the Ray35QM. Ray35QM's Sterling by Music Man bass bridge is modeled after the heavy-duty Music Man design, and features 5 fully adjustable and intonatable steel barrel saddles for fantastic tone. Similarly, the tuning keys on the 4+1 trademark design headstock are also of rugged, 20:1 ratio, heavy duty design. Whether at home or on the road, all of the hardware will give the player years of trouble free, accurate playability. Manufactured in Indonesia by Master Craftsmen, the Ray35QM in Neptune Blue is truly a benchmark instrument… read more for the Sterling By Music Man line. read less
Specs
- Model: Ray35QM
- Body Wood: African Mahogany
- Body Color: Neptune Blue (NBL)
- Body Finish: (Lacquer, Polyurethane, Polyester) Hi Gloss Polyester
- Neck Wood: Maple
- Neck Finish: Satin
- Neck Shape/Size: Stingray C
- Fretboard Wood: Maple
- Fretboard Inlay: Dot
- Truss Rod: Dual Action, Body End Wheel Adjustment
- Frets: 22
- Fretboard Radius: 12"
- Neck Width @12th Fret: 62mm
- Nut Material: Plastic
- Nut Width: 45mm
- Scale: 34"
- Neck Attachment: 6 Bolt
- Tuning Machines: Open Back
- Hardware: Chrome
- Bridge: Heavy Duty
- Bridge Pickup: Music Man Designed AlNiCo Humbucker
- Switching: 3 Way
- Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Treble, 1 Middle, 1 Bass
- Strings: 045-.130
- Body Wood: African Mahogany
- Body Color: Neptune Blue (NBL)
- Body Finish: (Lacquer, Polyurethane, Polyester) Hi Gloss Polyester
- Neck Wood: Maple
- Neck Finish: Satin
- Neck Shape/Size: Stingray C
- Fretboard Wood: Maple
- Fretboard Inlay: Dot
- Truss Rod: Dual Action, Body End Wheel Adjustment
- Frets: 22
- Fretboard Radius: 12"
- Neck Width @12th Fret: 62mm
- Nut Material: Plastic
- Nut Width: 45mm
- Scale: 34"
- Neck Attachment: 6 Bolt
- Tuning Machines: Open Back
- Hardware: Chrome
- Bridge: Heavy Duty
- Bridge Pickup: Music Man Designed AlNiCo Humbucker
- Switching: 3 Way
- Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Treble, 1 Middle, 1 Bass
- Strings: 045-.130
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Email: info@sterlingbymusicman.com
Email: info@sterlingbymusicman.com
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
(2 ratings)
Submitted January 16, 2018 by Tom P in Memphis, TN
"Sterling Ray35qm Bass"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have owned one of these now for 6 months and wanted to leave an objective review about my experience with this instrument. I have found very little buyer feedback on the newer Stingray copies, and figured that there must be others looking for the same.
Sound
The best feature of this Sterling Ray35 is it's big sound. Very versatile with it's MusicMan pre-amp, featuring a 3 band EQ and MusicMan 5 pole alnico humbucker with 3 way selector for series,single coil, and series w/filter switching. One can truly dial-in nearly any frequency needed or desired.
Features
*The tuners, well, can make it difficult to tune because they are "sticky" to turn. As if they are too tight, or need lubricating. But neither adjustment helped. Just the nature of the supplied tuners. Replaceable, but shouldn't have to. *The nut, well, is a cheap looking plastic that is so small, that very low string action is the only option in order to have even height down the neck. Almost as if it were filed down too low during it's initial set up. Again, replaceable, but shouldn't have to. *The neck, well, the feel and playability are okay, but the constant tuning and need for truss rod adjustment with string height and intonation adjustments are taking the enjoyment out of owning a new bass. The neck was needing adj. when I first got it.(dead frets, buzzing) This is mostly normal, but it just doesn't hold an adjustment. Not yet anyway. It has had a truss… read more rod adjustment once by the vendor's shop, and twice by me. Each time it seems great, then within a month or so, it is back to fret buzzing and too much neck relief. I have owned many guitars and basses over 30 years, and I haven't seen this repeated issue before. Not in a new instrument.
Ease of Use
It's as easy as you want it to be.
Quality
I really want to like this bass. I bought it as a reliable back-up and for recordings. I enjoy the versatility in the pre-amp/ p'up section and I like the feel of the instrument. But, I am nearing the end of my patients in dealing with the neck issues. I know that my local vendor will make it right, but, again, I am leaving this review for others. I imagine that not all versions of the Sterling Ray35 have the same issues as mine, but with any instrument purchase, Buyer Beware!
Value
This bass is a good value, I believe. If for no other reason than the popularity of the Ernie Ball MusicMan basses. The resale value should hold.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't used them......yet.
The Wow Factor
The quilted maple top in deep blue against the contrast of the maple neck and black hardware is very appealing. Nice eye-catcher, but not gaudy by any means.
Musical Background:
30+ years playing acoustic, electric guitar, as well as, 4 & 5 string basses. I've played pro, recorded in studio and at home.
Musical Style:
Mostly Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Alternative & Blues. Some Hard Rock Originals, Country & Christian Contemporary. I love to I read less
Sound
The best feature of this Sterling Ray35 is it's big sound. Very versatile with it's MusicMan pre-amp, featuring a 3 band EQ and MusicMan 5 pole alnico humbucker with 3 way selector for series,single coil, and series w/filter switching. One can truly dial-in nearly any frequency needed or desired.
Features
*The tuners, well, can make it difficult to tune because they are "sticky" to turn. As if they are too tight, or need lubricating. But neither adjustment helped. Just the nature of the supplied tuners. Replaceable, but shouldn't have to. *The nut, well, is a cheap looking plastic that is so small, that very low string action is the only option in order to have even height down the neck. Almost as if it were filed down too low during it's initial set up. Again, replaceable, but shouldn't have to. *The neck, well, the feel and playability are okay, but the constant tuning and need for truss rod adjustment with string height and intonation adjustments are taking the enjoyment out of owning a new bass. The neck was needing adj. when I first got it.(dead frets, buzzing) This is mostly normal, but it just doesn't hold an adjustment. Not yet anyway. It has had a truss… read more rod adjustment once by the vendor's shop, and twice by me. Each time it seems great, then within a month or so, it is back to fret buzzing and too much neck relief. I have owned many guitars and basses over 30 years, and I haven't seen this repeated issue before. Not in a new instrument.
Ease of Use
It's as easy as you want it to be.
Quality
I really want to like this bass. I bought it as a reliable back-up and for recordings. I enjoy the versatility in the pre-amp/ p'up section and I like the feel of the instrument. But, I am nearing the end of my patients in dealing with the neck issues. I know that my local vendor will make it right, but, again, I am leaving this review for others. I imagine that not all versions of the Sterling Ray35 have the same issues as mine, but with any instrument purchase, Buyer Beware!
Value
This bass is a good value, I believe. If for no other reason than the popularity of the Ernie Ball MusicMan basses. The resale value should hold.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't used them......yet.
The Wow Factor
The quilted maple top in deep blue against the contrast of the maple neck and black hardware is very appealing. Nice eye-catcher, but not gaudy by any means.
Musical Background:
30+ years playing acoustic, electric guitar, as well as, 4 & 5 string basses. I've played pro, recorded in studio and at home.
Musical Style:
Mostly Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Alternative & Blues. Some Hard Rock Originals, Country & Christian Contemporary. I love to I read less
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