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Best Sterling by Music Man 5-String Basses 2025

Premium Sterling by Music Man 5-string basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Extended Range For Unique Designs For Experimental Music For Custom Features For Alternative Styles For Professional Use
BRANDS: Sadowsky Ibanez Warwick Marcus Miller Yamaha Harley Benton Sterling by Music Man Spector Lakland Music Man Sandberg Cort Fodera Marleaux
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 Chopper Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 Chopper Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Custom Features Alternative Styles Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 Chopper Blue5 String Electric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585164
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK5 String Electric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585179
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Experimental Music Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585184
$1,297
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 WS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 WS

by Sterling by Music Man
Professional Use Experimental Music Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 WS5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435219
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black

by Sterling by Music Man
Experimental Music Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612237
$2,463
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY25CA Olympic White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY25CA Olympic White

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Professional Use Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY25CA Olympic White5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585270
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Professional Use Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585180
$1,528
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH Cobra Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH Cobra Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH Cobra Blue5-String Electric BassBody: JabonBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585176
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Spalted 3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Spalted 3TSB

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Spalted 3TSB5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted mapleBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585243
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Experimental Music Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted maple veneerBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585174
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 BK

by Sterling by Music Man
Experimental Music Extended Range Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 BK5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 435208
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 5-String Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 5-string basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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