Search  for anything...

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar in Black

  • Based on 535 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for the best price...
$379.99 Why this price?

Buy Now, Pay Later


As low as / mo
  • – Up to 36-month term if approved
  • – No impact on credit
  • – Instant approval decision
  • – Secure and straightforward checkout

Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.

Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Apple Pay, and PayTomorrow. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Selected Option

Free shipping on this product

Returnable until Jan 31, 2026

To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.


Availability: Only 5 left in stock, order soon!
Fulfilled by Sweetwater Sound

Arrives Jan 8 – Jan 12
Order within 19 hours and 1 minute
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Protection Plan Protect Your Purchase
Checking for protection plans...

Color: Black


Style: 4-String


Features

  • Iconic StingRay bass in Black finish with Black Pickguard
  • Basswood Body with Maple neck and Fretboard
  • Equipped with a Sterling by music Man designed Ceramic pickup and 2-band Active preamp: volume, Treble, bass
  • All Sterling by Music Man instruments receive final set-up and inspection in the USA

Description

The Ray4 bass is the cousins of the Music Man StingRay 4 bass. Classic, iconic instruments that defined a generation of bassists since the late 70′s. Active electronics, low noise hum bucking pickups, rock solid hardware and a simple, uncluttered look that is instantly recognizable and respected.

Brand: Sterling by Music Man


Size: 45 x 1.5 x 13.5 inches


Color: Black


Item dimensions L x W x H: 45 x 1.5 x 13.5 inches


Top Material Type: Basswood, Maple


Back Material Type: Maple


String Material Type: Nickel


Finish Type: Powder Coated


Instrument: Electric Bass


Item Weight: 9 Pounds


Item Weight: 9 pounds


Product Dimensions: 45 x 1.5 x 13.5 inches


Item model number: RAY4-BK-M1


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No


Date First Available: March 12, 2013


Back Material: Maple


Body Material: Basswood


Color Name: Black


Connector Type: 6.35mm Jack


Fretboard Material: Maple


Guitar Pickup Configuration: H


String Material: Nickel


Top Material: Basswood, Maple


Neck Material Type: Maple


Number of Strings: 4


Guitar Bridge System: Hard Tail


Material Type: Basswood, Hard Maple


Size: 45 x 1.5 x 13.5 inches


Battery type: Alkaline


Voltage: 240 Volts


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Jan 8 – Jan 12

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

  • Klarna Financing
  • Affirm Pay in 4
  • Affirm Financing
  • Afterpay Financing
  • PayTomorrow Financing
  • Financing through Apple Pay
Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Top Amazon Reviews


  • My take:
Color: Black Style: 5-String
I was looking for an affordable bass after spending the last several years playing no-name cheapies (I put myself on a strict budget during the pandemic, and am only just now starting to loosen the purse strings lol). After reading some reviews on this one, I decided to give it a go. My thoughts: It's heavy, which I like, as the weight keeps it in place. I can move up and down the neck without having to hold the bass in place at the same time, which I always had to do with lighter basses. The neck is nice and smooth, there were no sharp fret edges to file down, and I didn't have to adjust the string distance from the fret board, all of which makes for good action. It feels comfortable in my hands (again, I like a heavier weight, some may not) and it sounds great for the price. My only complaints are that upon arrival, the knobs weren't fully screwed on and, after screwing them fully on, they still protrude a bit too far from the body. Also, pickup was actually compressed into the body on one end, as if it had been pushed in. But I popped it out with no damage to the pickup or the body. Hopefully, these were just anomalies specific to the one I got, and are not universal to the model. So all in all, a good, bass for the price. But to be clear, my rating is actually 4.5. Of course we're not able to rate in half stars, thus the 5 stars that accompanies this review. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2025 by Lon

  • An Incredible Value
Color: Ruby Red Burst Satin Style: 4-String
For background: I am a semi-professional musician and recording engineer/producer. Besides some short stints in LA, I've mostly spent my music career in the local San Diego scene doing a variety of things from guitarist and bassist in bands, recording, live engineering, and DJing. I've been playing guitar specifically for 25 years. I also worked at the Taylor guitar factory in finish for 2 years so I know a fair amount about the guitar manufacturing process. I consider myself semi-professional only because I shifted my main career to technology and now music is more of a "serious hobby." I wanted this bass for two reasons: first, just for fun! I mean, it's fun to switch it up now and again! But more importantly as a useful tool for recording songs. I'm always borrowing basses or telling people, "I'll get the bass guitar in there later..." Plugins are cool, but I'd rather PLAY. Forever ago, I knew if I had the money, the Stingray was the bass I always wanted in my instrument arsenal. But they're expensive! I was STOKED to see that Ernie Ball/Music Man decided to make a cheap version that is licensed and has some assurance of quality control. A company like that, being one of the smaller brands, absolutely cannot afford to tarnish their reputation with bad instruments. _______________________________________________________ THE REVIEW: THIS BASS IS AWESOME! Out of the box I am immensely impressed. This is not a completely flawless instrument however, what you are getting for your money is like a gift from the music Gods. I'll start with the "bad." The finish: Overall its really great. It's a satin, which is cheaper to do than a gloss finish because the last coat goes on flat and does not require buffing. In fact, over time, your arms and such will end up buffing it. So it's not a durable type of finish either. Also, you can't fix tiny flaws, of which there are maybe 1 or 2 that I found. But honestly, this is all completely negligible to consider. The finish is fine. If you expect some amazing finish, you gotta pay. If anything, I can't stand "perfect" looking guitars that look like they haven't been played anyway. The input jack: When I first plugged in, I used the right angle side of my cable. This was scary. It doesn't work!! I would have to slightly tug at the cable to get a connection. This could be partly due to the design of the cable (Monster mid-range, don't recall exact model). I was slightly bummed but this but honestly not discouraged. At this price, there HAD to be something. LOL. Anyway, I swapped around my cable for the straight end and it works just fine! So for now I'm good but I would like to address the input jack connection soon so it's nothing to ever worry about. The "good." The bass sounds amazing. The pickup, they really did not hold back on this thing. It sounds fantastic. The fret board and action is setup very well. Very smooth. The intonation is slightly off on the E and D strings but that's easy to adjust. Honestly impressed with how close they got it to perfect from the factory though. It even stayed in tune all the way from Indonesia. It was cool to immediately play a little lick on it. Last thoughts for beginners: I rated this a 4-star guitar for a beginner. It would be 5 stars because it's so amazing for the money but the issue with the input jack is scary enough for a noob. Someone who doesn't know any advanced guitarists or luthiers might end up thinking their bass is "broken" for who knows how long before they address simple issues like that. I know because I've seen it happen. New players will quit practicing because they broke one string. You want the experience to be as easy as possible for a beginner. This is ALMOST their. If you have guidance, you're fine with this instrument. Another note is the active pickup. Active pickups are just another extra annoyance for someone just learning. They won't appreciate the enhanced tone and will be lazy about replacing batteries. ...but dang it sounds LEGIT. Model: Red Satin Burst, Ray4. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020 by Nawsh

  • Good Bass to Play
Color: Mint Green Style: 4-String
I wanted an inexpensive four (4) string fretted bass to practice on but, didn't want a cheap one. This had the affordablity, looks and reputation for being good quality aswell as playability. It is comfortable to play right out of the box literally and I will say that I entend to change the strings however, no need right away. I recommend this bass to beginners and anyone wanting one for kick around giging purposes. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024 by D.D.H.

  • Perfect bass guitar for beginners
Color: Vintage Cream Style: 4-String
This guitar is amazing. It sounds so nice. The string quality is perfect. It is great for beginners and sounds out of this world. I love the color white. It is like a blank canvas. It fits my son who is 6 foot.
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2025 by Jennifer

  • Great bass
Color: Walnut Satin Style: 4-String
Always been a good bass to go to. Been using these since 2004! In my opinion, these basses are just as good as the $1000 basses. All a placebo effect.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2025 by Ray T

  • Nice but nit problem
Color: Black Style: 5-String
It looks and sounds good but one of the string slots in the nut was cut too deep, making the open g unplayable. Not set up correctly in other ways as well. So I’m now paying more money to make my inexpensive bass work.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2023 by BGH

  • Awesome Bass
Color: Ruby Red Burst Satin Style: 4-String
Let start with the negative. I ordered two of the 4 string Ruby Red Burst Sting Ray. The first one arrived with the nine volt connector damaged. This one also... felt wrong. Those of you who play know what I am talking about when a guitar or bass just feel write in your hands. The back of the bass wasn't finished. It was just black. Pictures show a burst on both sides. Swapped it out no issue. THANK YOU AMAZON! Second bass arrived, this one also had a matte black back, no burst. This is actually why it gets only 4 stars. Looks aren't everything, but I ordered a burst and a wanted it. The good: Bass plays amazing, feels great, sounds awesome. I would not think it was only $300. I would believe it was closer to a $600 or $700 dollar beast for sure. The set up on the bass was perfect too. I didn't even have to tune it before I played it. Well done music man, well done! The QA could use slight improvement, as I had to swap one out. It looks like a few other people got a bad bass first round too. Hey, it is amazon though. Just swap it out, if you bought this at a music shop you'd play 3 or 4 and grab the one that felt right anyways. If you are looking for a quality bass, but don't want to spend a fortune this is it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2019 by Mike

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.
Checking for best price...