Sterling Launches Music Man Session StingRay Bass
Sterling's new Session StingRay marks the StingRay's 50th anniversary with four- and five-string options starting at $1,599.99.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Rock
Sterling has released the Music Man Session StingRay, the debut model of its Session Series, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first StingRay bass. The instrument comes in four-string and five-string configurations and five finishes.
Why it matters
The release marks a half-century milestone for one of the best-known bass designs in rock and other popular genres. It also introduces a premium line aimed at players looking for StingRay-style instruments at a higher build tier.
The Session StingRay is listed at street prices of $1,599.99 for the four-string and $1,699.99 for the five-string. The source does not provide sales or production figures for the new line.
The players
Sterling
Sterling is the brand that markets the Music Man line of guitars and basses.
Ernie Ball Music Man
Ernie Ball Music Man is the instrument maker whose StingRay bass design the Session model builds on.
The details
The Session StingRay was developed in collaboration with the Ernie Ball Music Man team and draws on specifications from StingRay models of the 1990s and 2000s. It features Schaller tuners, a compensated nut, a roasted maple neck with an oil and wax finish, and a Music Man Session Alnico 5 humbucker with a 3-band active EQ.
Timeline
• The Session StingRay was released in 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first StingRay bass.
Industry Dynamics
The Session StingRay extends a bass design that has been a fixture in rock and pop since the original StingRay debuted half a century ago. Its premium pricing places it above standard production models in the same family.
Players can buy the Session StingRay now, with four-string models starting at $1,599.99 and five-string models at $1,699.99. Buyers choose between five finishes, including Ash, Black, Olympic White, Tobacco Burst, and British Racing Green.
The takeaway
The Session StingRay gives bass players a premium StingRay-style option that builds on the design's 50-year history. Buyers weighing the four- and five-string versions should compare the finish choices and the Session-specific electronics against their playing needs.
Further reading
For more on guitar and bass gear, explore the Rock section.
