RAG MusicBass Basics
A web magazine for enjoying the bass even more

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!

Playlist

A compilation of bassists who use StingRays
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Stone Cold BushFlea(Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Stone Cold BushFlea(Red Hot Chili Peppers)play_arrow
Free StingRay bass playing technique
2Another One Bites the DustJohn Deacon(Queen)
Another One Bites the DustJohn Deacon(Queen)play_arrow
Queen bassist, gentle and contributive
3NumbPhoenix(Linkin Park)
NumbPhoenix(Linkin Park)play_arrow
Linkin Park’s bassist favors the StingRay
4StompLouis Johnson(The Brothers Johnson)
StompLouis Johnson(The Brothers Johnson)play_arrow
Active as a pioneer of slap bass
5Tony Levin(King Crimson)
Tony Levin(King Crimson)play_arrow
Tony Levin is active in the music world.
6Tim Commerford(Rage Against the Machine)
Tim Commerford(Rage Against the Machine)play_arrow
Introduction to Tim's bass history
72%NAOKI(10-FEET)
2%NAOKI(10-FEET)play_arrow
NAOKI’s favorite bass changed from the black StingRay.
8Silent JealousyTAIJI(X JAPAN)
Silent JealousyTAIJI(X JAPAN)play_arrow
TAIJI was using Killer and Stingray
9Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterAyuni D (PEDRO)
Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterAyuni D (PEDRO)play_arrow
Ayuni D deploys PEDRO with a StingRay bass
10Highway to HellCliff WIlliams(AC/DC)
Highway to HellCliff WIlliams(AC/DC)play_arrow
AC/DC bassist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
11FuyunoIgarashi (Hitorie)
FuyunoIgarashi (Hitorie)play_arrow
The bassist of Hitorie uses a StingRay.
12Dream OnTom Hamilton(Aerosmith)
Dream OnTom Hamilton(Aerosmith)play_arrow
Aerosmith’s bassist is a devoted StingRay user
13ResponsibilityMike Herrera(MxPx)
ResponsibilityMike Herrera(MxPx)play_arrow
MxPx used a StingRay bass.
14Glass BluesNaoe Yoshifumi (BUMP OF CHICKEN)
Glass BluesNaoe Yoshifumi (BUMP OF CHICKEN)play_arrow
BUMP’s Naoi upgrades his gear from a StingRay to Fender
15Waiting RoomJoe Lally(Fugazi)
Waiting RoomJoe Lally(Fugazi)play_arrow
Joe Lally builds his own musical world with Stingray
16Robert Trujillo(Metallica)
Robert Trujillo(Metallica)play_arrow
Robert Trujillo's bass style
17Right Back At It AgainJoshua Woodard(A Day To Remember)
Right Back At It AgainJoshua Woodard(A Day To Remember)play_arrow
A Day To Remember’s bassist regularly uses a StingRay
18Alex Al
Alex Alplay_arrow
A bassist who was active in Michael’s backing band
19east windHosono Haruomi (YMO)
east windHosono Haruomi (YMO)play_arrow
Haruomi Hosono using a StingRay bass
20Stop On ByGail Ann Dorsey
Stop On ByGail Ann Dorseyplay_arrow
Gail Ann Dorsey is a master of the StingRay.
21A Fortune in LiesJohn Myung(Dream Theater)
A Fortune in LiesJohn Myung(Dream Theater)play_arrow
John Myung’s Bass History and Characteristics
22Crazy TrainRob Nicholson
Crazy TrainRob Nicholsonplay_arrow
Rob uses a black StingRay for metal
23Ryan O’Leary
Ryan O'Learyplay_arrow
bassist of Fit for a King
24Cameron Adler
Cameron Adlerplay_arrow
Tonight Alive female vocalist
25Everybody DanceBernard Edwards(Chic)
Everybody DanceBernard Edwards(Chic)play_arrow
The bassist of CHIC has died suddenly.
26Wherever I Lay My HatPino Palladino
Wherever I Lay My HatPino Palladinoplay_arrow
The Stingray’s rich palette of tonal expressions
27Real ThingFranz Lyons
Real ThingFranz Lyonsplay_arrow
Turnstile’s gritty/gnarly bass
28Takamizu KenjiStingray is a versatile base with wide coverage.
29Communication BreakdanceTOMOHIKO
Communication BreakdanceTOMOHIKOplay_arrow
The funk sound of Super Butter Dog
30Kalan Blehm
Kalan Blehmplay_arrow
Attila’s bassist uses a StingRay
31Stefan Lessard
Stefan Lessardplay_arrow
Stefan Lessard plucks a StingRay with his fingers
32Run to the FutureAZU(Cyntia)
Run to the FutureAZU(Cyntia)play_arrow
Cyntia AZU, using Stingray
33Makoto Ishida
Makoto Ishidaplay_arrow
Introduction of the bassist of a metalcore band
34Under PressureGail Ann Dorsey
Under PressureGail Ann Dorseyplay_arrow
Bassist and vocalist from Philadelphia
35Jaime Preciado
Jaime Preciadoplay_arrow
Post-hardcore band member uses a StingRay bass
36Kick MeJustin Hills
Kick MeJustin Hillsplay_arrow
Use of instruments and musicality in Sleeping
37Jon Lhaubouet(Vein)
Jon Lhaubouet(Vein)play_arrow
Jon, the bassist of Vein, and his StingRay tone.
38MientesPedro Aznar
MientesPedro Aznarplay_arrow
A multiplayer player from Argentina
39Your SongMatt Bissonette
Your SongMatt Bissonetteplay_arrow
Matt Bissonette uses a StingRay
40NightmareJohnny Christ
NightmareJohnny Christplay_arrow
Avenged Sevenfold’s bassist Johnny Christ uses a StingRay.