Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black
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Sterling by Music Man
DarkRay 5 Black
Product Info
Article Number:
612237
Brand:
Sterling by Music Man
Model:
DarkRay 5 Black
Category:
5-String Basses
Price:
$2,462.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The DarkRay 5 is a serious contender for modern bassists who want a powerful, aggressive voice. The Darkglass preamp is the star here, offering a ton of sonic flexibility. It's a great choice for rock, metal, and any genre where you need a growling, defined low end.
Product Description
- Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black
- 5-String Electric Bass
- Body: Nyatoh
- Bolt-on neck: Roasted maple
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- White DOT fingerboard inlays
- Truss rod: Dual action
- Fingerboard radius: 30.5 cm (12")
- Scale length: 86.4 cm (34")
- Nut width: at the 1st fret: 45 mm (1.77‘) / at the 22nd fret: 69 mm (2.72’)
- Frets: 22
- Pickup: H - 1 Alnico Humbucker (bridge)
- Active 2-band custom Darkglass preamp with 2 different distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega)
- Controls: Volume
- Gain
- Blend
- Treble
- Bass
- 3-way selector switch for distortion: preamp only
- preamp + alpha distortion
- preamp + omega distortion
- Black pickguard
- Sterling by Music Man designed bridge
- Open machine heads
- Strings: Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
- Colour: Black
- Includes deluxe gig bag
PROS
- • Nyatoh body offers a surprisingly resonant and balanced tone.
- • Roasted maple neck provides exceptional stability and a smooth playing feel.
- • Darkglass preamp delivers a wide range of aggressive and articulate sounds.
- • Sterling bridge design enhances sustain and tuning stability.
CONS
- • Nyatoh, while good, lacks the premium feel of mahogany or walnut.
- • Active preamp demands a power source, limiting battery life.
- • Omega distortion can be overly aggressive for some playing styles.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Material
Nyatoh
Neck Material
Roasted maple
Fingerboard
Ebony
Pickups
H - 1 Alnico Humbucker (bridge), Active Darkglass preamp
Scale Length
86.4 cm (34 in)
Frets
22
Strings
Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
Weight
4.3 kg (9.5 lbs)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Roasted maple is kiln-dried and treated, minimizing moisture-related warping, leading to a very stable neck and a smoother, more consistent feel across the fretboard.
The Alpha distortion offers a more subtle overdrive, suitable for rock and even some funk, while Omega is definitely more aggressive; it's versatile with careful EQ adjustments.
The Sterling bridge is designed to Music Man specifications, offering similar adjustability, but the genuine Music Man bridge may offer slightly higher-end hardware and a marginally more refined feel.
