Introduction to the Baritone Guitar
The baritone guitar has seen a surge in popularity recently, largely influenced by the heavy dropped tunings favored by contemporary nu metal bands. The Sterling by Music Man Stingray Baritone offers musicians a pathway to explore deeper guitar tones without the complexity of an additional string. This model marks the brand’s inaugural long-scale offering.
Featuring a 27.5″ scale length, the guitar boasts a roasted maple neck paired with a rosewood fretboard, adorned with 24 medium-sized frets. Its classic 4×2 headstock design is complemented by locking tuners and a vintage-style tremolo bridge.
The body is crafted from poplar, showcasing the signature rounded stingray shape, finished in a striking Taluca Lake Blue with a black, 3-ply pickguard. Weighing in at 4.9kg, it feels substantial yet manageable.
The electronics are equipped with two of Sterling’s proprietary ceramic humbuckers, featuring knurled master volume and tone controls mounted on a chrome plate. The pickup selector switch is conveniently located on the top horn, a typical feature for Sterling by Music Man guitars. This three-way selector does not include push-pull knobs for additional tonal options.
Specifications
- Launch price: $849.99 | £699.99 | €801
- Origin: Indonesia
- Type: Six-string baritone guitar
- Body Material: Poplar
- Neck material: Roasted maple
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Scale Length: 27.5″ (69.85cm)
- Nut Width: Plastic, 42mm
- Frets: 24, medium
- Hardware: Locking tuners, vintage tremolo
- String Spacing at bridge: 53.5mm
- Electronics: 2x ceramic humbuckers, 3-way toggle pickup selector, 1x volume, 1x tone
- Weight: 4.9kg / 10.8lbs
- Left-handed Options: No
- Finishes Available: Toluca Lake Blue
- Cases: Not included
- Contact: Sterling by Music Man
Quality of Construction
Build Quality rating: ★★★★½
Upon unboxing the Stingray Baritone, I was immediately captivated by the Taluca Lake Blue finish. It garnered a nod of approval from my partner, which is always a positive sign. The metallic blue hue is beautifully applied across the guitar. A closer inspection revealed a minor imperfection in the finish near the neck joint, but it’s barely noticeable unless scrutinized closely.
The neck is securely anchored with a 5-bolt system,featuring an asymmetric layout with three bolts on one side and two on the other,ensuring no movement and a solid feel. Strumming the guitar unplugged, I noticed a rich resonance from each string, indicating that all components are harmoniously working together.
However, the pickup selector switch feels somewhat flimsy. Its small size and lack of resistance make it easy to accidentally switch from the bridge to the neck position without passing through the middle. While not a dealbreaker, it stands out due to the overall high quality of the guitar.
Playability Assessment
Playability Rating: ★★★★½
The neck profile is notably chunky
Upon connecting it to my audio interface and utilizing some Neural DSP plugins, I quickly noticed the neck profile is quiet substantial. While I appreciate a bit of heft in a guitar neck, this one feels distinct from other baritones I’ve tried, which leaned more towards metal. Though, it remains comfortable, and I adapted quickly to the longer scale length.
My usual baritone has a 28″ scale, but the Stingray Baritone, being just half an inch shorter, feels considerably more comfortable. It’s surprising how that slight difference can make it feel closer to my standard Telecaster then anticipated. I found myself able to play without the need for extensive warm-ups, and those challenging multi-fret stretches felt much more manageable. Additionally, it fits perfectly into a standard-sized Fender soft case, making it convenient for transport.
The setup is excellent right out of the box, with no adjustments needed for enhanced playability. The action is comfortable, measuring 1.5mm at the 12th fret with a set of Ernie Ball 6-String Baritone Slinky electric guitar strings pre-installed.I tested for any choking frets by bending each string up to the 24th fret, and everything rang out beautifully.
The 42mm nut width ensures that, despite the thicker strings, the spacing doesn’t feel overly wide. Ther’s a slight adjustment required when playing arpeggiated chords compared to my standard scale guitar, but I quickly adapted to picking open note drones with octaves and pedal tone licks, making it easy to forget I was playing a baritone.
Sound Quality
Sound Quality Rating: ★★★★½
I took the Stingray Baritone to my local recording studio, Spirit Studios, to test its capabilities while playing some progressive metal in drop A tuning. Plugging into the clean channel of a Mesa/Boogie Mark VII 1×12 combo amp with gain boosted by a couple of stacked overdrive pedals, I was struck by the clarity of the pickups.
The ceramic humbuckers are excellently voiced for this scale length, allowing for remarkable articulation even when playing low-end open chords. I’ve encountered muddiness with other low-tuned guitars, but the Stingray Baritone delivers a satisfying low-end punch without overwhelming the mix.
It excels at both Spaghetti Western sounds and heavy metal riffs
Transitioning to clean and mid-gain tones, the guitar’s versatility shines through. It captures the essence of Spaghetti Western sounds just as effectively as it handles heavy metal riffs,maintaining clarity even with added effects from my spring reverb pedal and generous tremolo. Thanks to the shorter scale length, I can achieve a delightful twang with minor adjustments to the amp settings, and the vibrato enhances the expressiveness of sustained chords and notes.
Final Thoughts
For under a thousand dollars, the Sterling by Music Man Stingray Baritone offers exceptional value. I am thoroughly impressed with its build quality,playability,and the tonal versatility provided by the dual humbuckers. Initially, I was disappointed by the absence of a push-pull switch for single coil sounds, but I found that I didn’t miss it after spending time with the guitar.
The onyl important drawback is the flimsy pickup selector switch
The primary downside I encountered was the flimsy feel of the pickup selector switch. While it functions adequately, it lacks the sturdiness I prefer for a more confident switch action. the setup right out of the box is excellent, and aside from a minor flaw in the finish, everything about the guitar’s build and aesthetics is impressive.
Guitar World Verdict: As baritone guitars gain traction in the music scene, the options available today are vastly improved compared to just a few years ago. The Sterling by Music Man Stingray Baritone presents a compelling choice for enthusiasts of low-tuned guitars, offering outstanding construction, surprisingly comfortable playability despite its scale length, and articulate pickups that cater to a range of styles, from cinematic soundscapes to heavy metal breakdowns.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
A remarkably well-constructed instrument, despite the wobbly pickup selector. |
★★★★½ |
|
Playability |
Surprisingly easy to play, even with the thicker neck and extended scale length. |
★★★★½ |
|
Sound Quality |
Highly articulate pickups capable of delivering a wide range of styles. |
★★★★½ |
|
overall |
An outstanding baritone guitar suitable for various players. |
★★★★½ |
