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Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 5-String Electric Bass Guitar – Black
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Description
The Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 is a bold, genre-defying 5-string bass guitar that delivers brutal drive, studio-quality clarity and unmistakable StingRay punch. Designed in collaboration with the tone architects at Darkglass Electronics, it features a custom 2-band active preamp with three powerful modes: Clean, Alpha distortion and Omega fuzz. Players can sculpt everything from tight, punchy cleans to aggressive, snarling drive with onboard volume, treble, bass, gain and blend controls. Paired with a roasted maple neck, ebony fingerboard and sleek blacked-out styling, the DarkRay 5 is built for bassists who demand maximum flexibility, fierce tonal firepower and an edgy, modern aesthetic in one stage-worthy package.
Custom Darkglass Preamp Delivers Massive Sonic Range
At the heart of the DarkRay 5 bass is a custom-designed Darkglass 2-band active preamp, tuned specifically for modern bassists who want more from their instrument. Three voicings?Clean, Alpha distortion and Omega fuzz?cover a wide tonal spectrum, from warm and articulate to overdriven chaos. The system is fed by a powerful alnico humbucker that delivers tight lows and snarling midrange, making it an ideal match for the preamp’s sonic versatility. This is not just another active bass?it’s a full-featured tone machine built to handle any gig or recording session with authority.
Comprehensive Controls Give You Real-Time Flexibility
With five intuitive knobs and a dedicated toggle switch, the DarkRay 5 makes deep tone shaping easy and immediate. You’ll find controls for master volume, gain, blend, treble and bass?each voiced to interact smoothly with the onboard preamp. A 3-way toggle lets you switch between Clean, Alpha and Omega modes instantly, with a color-coded LED ring that shows your current setting: red for Alpha, blue for Omega, and off for Clean. Whether you’re punching through a mix or diving into distortion mid-set, the DarkRay’s layout puts powerful sounds just a flick away.
Roasted Maple Neck and Ebony Fingerboard Enhance Feel
Built for players who demand a responsive feel and reliable performance, the DarkRay 5 features a roasted maple neck that adds structural stability while enhancing resonance. The 6-bolt construction provides a rock-solid connection to the body, while the sleek ebony fingerboard keeps things fast and friction-free. The 12″ fingerboard radius provides a balanced feel that’s ideal for everything from pummeling riffs to expressive lead lines. With 22 medium frets and smooth fretwork, this neck offers a comfortable playing experience, whether you’re at home, in the studio or up on stage.
Iconic StingRay Silhouette Meets Sleek DarkRay Styling
The DarkRay 5 maintains the StingRay’s classic double-cutaway silhouette, offering balanced weight and excellent upper-fret access. Its nyatoh body keeps things lightweight yet punchy, while the stealthy black finish and all-black hardware push it firmly into modern territory. A matching black pickguard and the illuminated control switch give it a futuristic vibe, while Sterling’s signature 4+1 headstock and high-mass bridge anchor the look in proven StingRay tradition. With its aggressive styling and performance-first design, the DarkRay 5 is built to stand out on any stage.
Modern Tone, Classic StingRay Feel?All Without a Pedalboard
If you’re looking for an instrument that delivers raw tonal power with refined playability, the Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 bass is your answer. It bridges the gap between boutique pedal tones and effortless plug-and-play simplicity, letting you go from smooth and clean to full-on distortion without breaking stride. With pro-level components, iconic StingRay DNA and the innovation of Darkglass Electronics, it’s built for modern players who want it all in one instrument.
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 5-String Electric Bass Guitar - Black Specs
| Body style | DarkRay |
| Body wood | Nyatoh |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Pickguard | Black |
| Neck wood | Roasted maple |
| Scale length | 34" |
| Fingerboard wood | Ebony |
| Fingerboard radius | 12" |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Truss rod | Dual action |
| Neck attachment | 6-bolt pattern |
| Bridge | Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge |
| Nut width | 1.77" |
| Tuning machines | Open-gear |
| Pickup configuration | H |
| Bridge | H-1 alnico humbucker |
| Preamp | Custom Darkglass 2-band active preamp |
| Distortion circuits | Alpha (distortion) and Omega (fuzz) |
| Controls | Volume, gain, blend, treble, bass |
| Switching | 3-way distortion selector |
| Case | Sterling by Music Man gig bag |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Number of strings | 5 |
Additional information
| Basses Type | Electric Bass |
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