A compilation of bassists who use StingRays
Among basses, the MUSIC MAN StingRay stands out as a true icon.
Its distinctive look—like the headstock shape and tuner layout, the body contours, and that characteristic pickguard—makes it instantly recognizable as a StingRay.
It’s also famous as a quintessential active bass with a single humbucking pickup, and its powerful sound is loved by bassists across all genres.
In this article, we’ll introduce a lineup of bassists who use—or have used—the uniquely characteristic StingRay.
Let’s dive in!
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Summary of bassists who use StingRays (21–30)
Crazy TrainRob Nicholson
Rob Nicholson, who plays bass as a member of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, uses a StingRay that’s black down to the hardware.
As expected, an all-black look truly screams metal.
The StingRay’s appeal is that it can make its presence felt in any genre.
Ryan O’Leary
Fit for a King is a Christian metalcore band that even toured Japan in 2017.
Their bassist Ryan O’Leary, known for his powerful performances, is also a StingRay user.
There’s a famous Warped Tour clip where he tries a bass swing, the strap comes off, and the bass flies off as is.
This track is a fiery one from their 2018 album that evokes classic metal.
Cameron Adler
Tonight Alive is a pop-punk band from Australia.
They’re known for a distinctive sound featuring a female vocalist.
The bassist, Cameron Adler, plays a pure white StingRay! That thick tone is quintessential StingRay.
Everybody DanceBernard Edwards（Chic）
He is famous as the bassist of CHIC, a soul and funk disco band active in the 1970s and 1980s.
Together with CHIC’s guitarist Nile Rodgers, he produced tracks such as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” In 1996, after a concert at the Nippon Budokan, he suddenly passed away due to ill health.
It’s so sad…
Wherever I Lay My HatPino Palladino
When people think of a StingRay, many imagine a sharp, biting sound.
However, the one Pino Palladino favored while playing in Paul Young’s backing band was a StingRay modified to be fretless, delivering a round, mellow tone.
It shows that the StingRay is, unexpectedly, a bass with a wide range of versatility.
Real ThingFranz Lyons
Turnstile, a must-watch band in the hardcore scene from the United States.
The gritty, driving bass sound that Franz Lyons lays down comes from a StingRay.
In this music video, a flashy bass with an all-white finish and gold hardware makes an appearance.
Takamizu Kenji
As a studio musician who has long supported Japan’s music scene, Kenji Takamizu is one of the devoted users of the StingRay.
While the StingRay is often associated with band bassists, its distinctive tone is a powerful asset across genres.
You can see that the StingRay is actually a bass with a wide range of applications.