Here’s a seriously cool 2007 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5, refinished at some point in its life in a beautiful, bold red that looks right at home on one of the most recognizable bass designs ever made. The refinish gives this one a little extra personality and separates it from the sea of factory-finished StingRays out there. If you want a bass that can bring the funk, shake a room, and still look killer under stage lights, this one has you covered.

The StingRay 5 has been a professional-standard 5-string since Music Man introduced the model in 1987, and this 2007 example comes from the classic pre-StingRay Special era. The traditional StingRay 5 platform features a 34" scale length, select maple neck, 22-fret fingerboard with an 11" radius, substantial 1-3/4" nut width, rock-solid six-bolt neck attachment, and Music Man’s heavy-duty bridge and hardware. The neck is finished with Music Man’s famously smooth gunstock oil and hand-rubbed wax treatment, giving it that fast, broken-in feel that StingRay players love. (reverb.com)

Of course, the real party starts when you plug it in. The StingRay 5 is built around Music Man’s big, powerful humbucking pickup and active 3-band preamp, with dedicated Volume, Bass, Mid and Treble controls. That combination is responsible for one of the most instantly recognizable bass sounds ever recorded: huge lows, aggressive mids, crisp highs and that unmistakable StingRay clank when you really dig in. One note on 2007 StingRay 5s: this was around the transition from ceramic to Alnico pickups, so the exact factory pickup specification can depend on the individual instrument’s serial number. (Ernie Ball Forums)

Tonally, this thing can go just about anywhere. Roll up the bass and ease off the highs for a massive, warm foundation that fills out a trio without getting muddy. Push the mids and you get a nasty rock tone that cuts straight through distorted guitars. Add some treble and attack and you're instantly in slap-and-pop territory: tight lows, explosive transients and enough snap to make a drummer grin. Back things down and play closer to the neck and there's plenty of smooth R&B, soul and old-school funk hiding in there too. And that low B is a major part of the StingRay 5 experience—the 34" scale keeps the instrument comfortable while still delivering the deep, authoritative extended range that made the SR5 famous. (Ernie Ball Music Man)

One of the great things about a StingRay is that it doesn't disappear in a band. It has attitude. You can play fingerstyle, slap it, pick it, beat the hell out of it or lay way back in the pocket, and there's always a certain muscular punch behind the note. Funk, rock, fusion, punk, gospel, R&B, pop, metal—there aren't many gigs where a StingRay 5 can't find its place.

The red refinish gives this particular bass its own story and a great stage-ready look. It's not trying to be a case-queen collector piece; it's a proper Music Man that's ready to be played. Underneath that red is one of the great American bass designs: beautifully built, ridiculously versatile, comfortable for a 5-string and capable of going from deep and buttery to downright filthy with a twist of the EQ.

Big bottom, funky snap, rock-and-roll attitude, and five strings worth of trouble. This is a StingRay—exactly how it should be.