2025 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special – Black Sparkle – Gold Hardware – Includes Mono Gig Case – Used Very Good
The StingRay has been one of the most important bass guitars in the history of the instrument since Leo Fender and George Fullerton introduced it in 1976 — it was among the first production four-string basses to feature onboard active equalization, and the fundamental voice it established has been all over recorded music ever since. Punchy, clear, and authoritative, it sits in a mix with a confidence that very few basses can match. The Special is the modern refinement of that idea, and it is a serious piece of work. The ash body keeps things resonant and focused, the roasted maple neck adds stability and a slightly enhanced attack compared to unroasted maple, and the neodymium pickup brings more output and a wider dynamic range than the alnico-loaded predecessors. The 18-volt 3-band active preamp gives you clean headroom that a 9-volt system simply can't match — treble, mid, and bass controls that respond musically rather than dramatically, and enough clean volume on tap to drive any rig without breaking a sweat. Twenty-two stainless steel frets mean you are not going to wear this instrument out, and the sculpted neck joint gives you access to the upper register without the awkward reach that plagued earlier bolt-on designs. The lightweight aluminum hardware is one of the more underrated touches on the Special — it keeps the overall weight down without sacrificing feel or function, and at 8 pounds 6 ounces this is a genuinely comfortable bass to play for a full set.
The black sparkle finish with gold hardware is a combination that commands attention without being garish — dressy enough for a theater stage, cool enough for a club. The oval pickguard and 3+1 headstock are unmistakably StingRay, and on this example the whole package looks sharp.
Condition is fantastic. There are minor pick scratches on the pickguard and one small ding near the output jack — both shown clearly in the photos — and nothing else to report. Comes with the original Mono gig case and all case candy.
- Make: Ernie Ball Music Man
- Model: Stingray Special
- Year: 2025
- Country of origin: USA (San Luis Obispo, CA)
- Body: Ash
- Finish: Black Sparkle
- Neck: Roasted maple, 5-bolt attachment
- Fingerboard: Roasted maple
- Scale length: 34"
- Frets: 22, stainless steel
- Fingerboard radius: 11"
- Pickup: Single neodymium humbucker with Music Man preamp
- Electronics: 18-volt 3-band active EQ (volume, treble, mid, bass)
- Hardware: Gold, lightweight aluminum
- Bridge: Music Man top-load
- Tuners: Custom Music Man lightweight with tapered string posts
- Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Very Good – minor pick scratches on pickguard, one small ding near output jack (shown in photos)
- Includes: Mono gig case, all case candy
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
