Founding and Initial Design
Leo Fender and Tom Walker launched the Music Man company in 1971; the StingRay bass debuted in 1976 with an 11-inch-radius maple neck, ash or alder body, and a 9-volt powered preamp offering bass, mid, and treble controls.
Ernie Ball Purchase and Refinements
Ernie Ball acquired Music Man in 1984, relocating production to San Luis Obispo and updating the StingRay with improved shielding, optional 5-string configurations in 1988, and later the HH dual-pickup variant in the 1990s.
Notable Artists and Enduring Legacy
The bass gained fame through recordings by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dream Theater, and Mastodon; limited runs such as the 30th Anniversary model and BFR series continue to reference the original 1976 specifications while incorporating modern finishes and hardware.
