Sterling DarkRay 5, Black

Full Description

Darkglass-powered tone

The Sterling DarkRay 5 is built around a custom Darkglass® 2-band active preamp, designed to give you a versatile range of tones right at your fingertips. You can switch between three distinct modes—Clean for a natural, clear tone, Alpha for tight distortion, and Omega for rich fuzz. This means you don’t need to rely on extra pedals to achieve a wide tonal palette, making the DarkRay 5 ideal for live performances and studio sessions alike. The onboard gain and blend knobs allow you to precisely shape the character and intensity of the drive, giving you full creative control.

Effortless control

Switching between modes is fast and intuitive thanks to the colour-coded LED ring and 3-way selector. Red indicates Alpha distortion, blue signals Omega fuzz, and the LED is off for the clean preamp mode. This visual feedback means you can instantly see your setup on stage, even in low-light conditions. With dedicated volume, treble, and bass controls, you can quickly dial in your tone, while the gain and blend controls let you fine-tune the perfect mix of clean and driven tones for any style of music.

Premium neck and fingerboard

The roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard offer a smooth, fast playing experience with excellent durability and stability. Roasted maple resists warping and changes in humidity, making it reliable for gigging musicians. The 12-inch radius and 22 frets give a comfortable feel for both fingerstyle and slap techniques, while the ebony fingerboard adds a bright, articulate response to your tone. Combined with the dual-action truss rod and 6-bolt neck attachment, the DarkRay 5 delivers exceptional playability and precise setup options.

Iconic StingRay design

Retaining the timeless shape of the StingRay, the DarkRay 5 features a contoured Nyatoh body finished in sleek black with a matching black pickguard for a bold, modern look. The alnico humbucking pickup captures the classic punch and warmth associated with StingRay basses, while the 4+1 headstock layout ensures stable tuning. With open gear tuning machines and a Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge, this bass combines reliability with style. The included deluxe gig bag makes it easy to transport your instrument safely, from rehearsals to live shows.

Specifications

• Product Name: Sterling DarkRay 5, Black
• Product Code: ST-DARKRAY5-BK-E2-WB

Body

• Body Wood: Nyatoh
• Body Colour: Black (BK)
• Pickguard: Black

Neck & Fretboard

• Neck Wood: Roasted Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Neck Radius: 12” (30.5 cm)
• Frets: 22
• Neck Width: 1.77” (45 mm) at nut, 2.72” (69 mm) at last fret
• Fret Markers: White Dot Markers
• Scale Length: 34” (86.4 cm)
• Truss Rod: Dual Action
• Neck Attachment: 6 Bolt Pattern

Hardware & Electronics

• Bridge: Sterling by Music Man-designed bridge
• Tuning Machines: Open Gear
• Pickups: H - 1 Alnico Humbucker
• Controls: Custom Darkglass® 2-band active preamp with Alpha and Omega circuits, volume, gain, blend, treble, bass
• Switching: 3-way lever selector (Preamp Only, Alpha Distortion, Omega Fuzz)
• Strings: Ernie Ball 2836 Regular Slinky
• Gig Bag: Deluxe Sterling by Music Man Bag