Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5 Special HH Electric Bass Burnt Apple

Quick background, I'm a professional bassist that has been playing for 25 years. I always swore by the fact that expensive basses don't define the player. I am truly eating my words this year after acquiring 2 of my long "out of reach" instruments. After recently acquiring my dream bass (a fender American professional jazz) I felt playing any other bass I owned was a downgrade. Loaded up the truck and traded in a couple of my mid range basses. Never intended to buy something in the platinum room but this bass caught my eye. Loved the all white version but that bass had some serious neck issues. Found this black and gold version and was sold the minute I plugged it in. Neck finish feels so natural and it's really an absolute joy to play. I've been inspired by the different tones this bass can provide. You can get really close to a jazz bass sound by using pickup selection 4, rolling off mids, and boosting lows and highs. Center position is INSANE… growl sustain and clarity that you just have to hear to believe. The case I received was the G&G version. Red felt is such an amazing contrast when you open the case. Can't help but grin from ear to ear every time I get to use this bass. Only cons is the price. I feel that my trade I. Trade up made the sticker price a bit easier to swallow. This bass is priced out of reach for a lot of players and I feel this bass needs to be priced 10 percent lower. Full price is a stretch.

This is my 6th Music Man Bass but it's amazing in it's own way. The Black and Gold Color Combo really is beautiful, This is a special run for Guitar Center so I had to have one. Great Quality, Great tone, 5 way selector switch gives you many tone choices. The Case not typical quality for a Bass that is this expensive.