Ernie Ball Music Man unveil the 2016 version StingRay guitar, featuring an off-set body and vintage spec humbuckers.
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This 6-string electric guitar version of their popular bass guitar brand combines classic and familiar designs with subtle differences that make it unmistakably inspired by the popular Stingray Bass.
The new StingRay electric guitar continues the company’s expansion into the electric guitar market, applying their experience with their popular bass instruments and design ideas to instruments for guitarists. And since this one carries the all important StingRay label, Ernie Ball Music Man made sure that it brings about the best that their company can offer in terms of aesthetics, build and tone.
It all starts with the African mahogany crafted body that is shaped into a nice off-set double cutaway shape. To my eyes, the design looks like a cross between a Tele, a Jaguar, and a McCarty, with the overall look being unmistakably similar to that of the StingRay bass. The body is finished in high-gloss polyurethane finish and is available in Black, Ivory White, Vintage Tobacco Burst and Chili Red.
The neck is carved from select maple and is topped by either rosewood or maple 22-fret fingerboard, depending on the finish you choose. The specs and feel of the neck do not stray from familiar territory, with a 25.5″ scale length, 1-5/8″ nut width and 10″ fingerboard radius. 1/4″ Black or White Face dots serve as markers while the four over two headstock wraps it up with a distinctly Ernie Ball appeal.
A notable feature of this instrument is its vintage spec humbucking pickups, these custom wound humbuckers are designed to churn time tested fat tones expected from old humbuckers. The pickups are wired to a 3-way pickup selector, a 500kohm volume knob and a .022µF capacitor tone knob. Following the elegant theme of the guitar, both pickups come with chrome covers. The official description describes the sound as being “bold when needed but smooth as glass if desired.”
Check out the official video demo:
Another important feature of this guitar is its Music Man Modern tremolo bridge with vintage bent steel saddles. The company describes it as having a smooth action that will cater to the needs of modern players. Other features include Schaller M6-IND locking tuners and a 5-bolt sculpted neck joint.
I’ve seen the Ernie Ball Music Man selling online for just under $1500. For more information and other details, you can head over to Music Man.
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