The Sterling by Music Man StingRay 4 HH is a fantastic bass guitar, known for its sleek design, powerful tone, and versatile features. The "HH" in the name refers to the dual humbucking pickups (as opposed to a single humbucker or single coil). Here's a breakdown of the key specifications for the Sterling StingRay 4 HH:
Sterling StingRay 4 HH - Specifications:
Body:
- Body Shape: The body is similar to the classic Music Man StingRay shape, which is contoured and slightly more compact than traditional basses, making it comfortable for extended playing sessions.
- Body Material: The body is typically made from Basswood, known for its balanced tonal response, making it a bit lighter than other woods like alder.
- Finish: The StingRay 4 HH often comes in various vibrant finishes, including classic colors like Black, Sunburst, and Mint Green.
Neck:
- Neck Material: Maple neck, which provides a snappy and bright tone with solid sustain.
- Fingerboard: Typically Maple or Rosewood, depending on the model variant and color. Rosewood fingerboards offer a slightly warmer sound, while maple provides more brightness and clarity.
- Scale Length: 34 inches, which is the standard scale length for most full-sized bass guitars.
- Neck Profile: The neck is generally a Modern "C" shape, offering a comfortable feel for most players and making it great for fast playing and technical work.
- Frets: 21 frets for a standard fretboard setup.
- Nut Width: 1.5 inches, providing a slim, comfortable feel that allows for fast playing and smoother transitions between notes.
Pickups and Electronics:
- Pickups: The StingRay 4 HH is equipped with two Music Man-designed humbucking pickups, which are known for their punchy, clear sound with a bit of extra growl and warmth. The dual pickups give you more tonal versatility, allowing you to blend the pickups for different sounds.
- Preamp: The bass has an Active 3-band EQ, giving you control over the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. This allows for precise shaping of your tone, making it suitable for a variety of genres.
- Volume control for adjusting the output.
- Pickup Selector to toggle between or blend the two humbuckers.
- 3-band EQ for further tonal shaping.
Bridge:
- Bridge: The Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge is sturdy and offers good intonation adjustment. It also provides good sustain and contributes to the overall tightness and clarity of the bass's sound.
- Saddle: Individual saddles for each string allow for more precise intonation adjustments.
Hardware:
- Tuners: Typically sealed, die-cast tuners, offering smooth tuning and stability.
- Pickguard: The bass typically has a black or white pickguard (depending on the finish) that gives the instrument a sleek and clean look.
- Control Knobs: The controls are generally metal knobs, complementing the modern, sleek design of the bass.
Sound and Playability:
- Tone: The dual humbucking pickups give the StingRay 4 HH a versatile sound. You get the classic StingRay growl and punch, but with the added tonal flexibility of two pickups. You can dial in a variety of sounds from a bright, punchy slap tone to a smooth, deep sound. The active electronics allow you to shape the tone with precision, giving you tons of tonal possibilities.
- Playability: The slim neck profile and 34-inch scale make the StingRay 4 HH comfortable for a wide range of players, from beginners to professionals. The smooth fretboard and quick action make it especially suited for fast playing and intricate techniques, while the shape of the body ensures it’s easy to hold and play for long periods.
Overall Look and Feel:
- The Sterling StingRay 4 HH has a sleek, modern appearance, with the distinctive Music Man styling and the dual humbucker setup, offering both a visually appealing design and a powerful sound. It’s ideal for live performances, studio recordings, and any bassist who needs a versatile and high-quality instrument.
