Recommended series: StingRay series, Sterling series, Bongo series
 
Musicman was the first American first-line instrument brand to install active circuitry on guitars and basses. It was originally founded in 1972 by three of Fender's founding fathers, Leo Fender, Tom Walker and Forest White. In the 80s of the 20th century, it was acquired by Ernie Ball, a major string manufacturer, and renamed Ernie Ball Musicman. At present, Musicman's electric bass products have Sting Ray, Bongo, Reflex, Sterling and other series, which are well-made and cost-effective. Musicians such as David Phoenix Farrell, bassist of Linkin Park, and Robert Trujillo, bassist of Metallica, are among the brand's users.
 
The Sting Ray was the world's first 4-string instrument with onboard active EQ and has been recognized as one of the most classic electric bass designs since its introduction in 1976. Over the course of several generations, it has evolved into a single collection, which is now divided into Classic, Neck-Through, Special and Old Smoothie 40th Anniversary, with the first three being available in 4- or 5-string versions. Externally, the 4-string version is fitted with humbucker pickups and oval-shaped guards. The 5-string version has a larger guard plate that covers the preamp position, and a pickup three-position switch is added to make it easier to control the state of the tone.
 
The Classic is a nod to the earlier Sting Ray, retaining the original ash body, 2-band EQ active preamp, and standard Alnico magnet humbucker pickups. The curved 7.5-inch radius nickel neck surface has been optimized, the neck attachment has been changed from 3 bolts to 6 bolts, and a truss rod adjustment wheel has been added to ensure a sturdy structure, and a slender steel rod can be inserted into the orifice of the roller to achieve fine adjustment of the neck with a simple pluck.
 
The Special combines modern elements with a lightweight modification of the classic Sting Ray. The neck attachment adopts a 5-bolt structure, the body contour is more rounded, and the overall weight reduction treatment is carried out, which optimizes the balance of the structure and makes it more comfortable. In terms of electronic components, the neodymium magnet pickup was used instead, and the 18-volt 3-band preamplifier was used to output a wider range of tones, both retro and modern.
 
The Sterling series is known for its compact body and neck profile, and is a lap smaller than the Sting Ray for greater comfort. In terms of the configuration of electronic components, 9-volt active 3-band equalization preamplifier, 3-position pickup switch, and ceramic humbucker pickup allow musicians to obtain low-noise and multi-dimensional tones. Despite this, the U.S.-made Sterling series is far less well-known than the Sting Ray.
 
It's worth noting that American Sterling and Sterling By Musicman are not to be confused. Sterling By Musicman is an independent sub-brand of Musicman, founded in 2009, targeting the low-end market, similar to Fender's Squier, and most of its products are produced in Indonesia. Although it follows the appearance design of the American Sting Ray and Sterling, and the price is relatively cheap, the timbre is not as grainy as the American system, and the performance is slightly flat.
 
The exterior design of the Bongo collection is characteristic, such as the double-skeletonized basswood body, nicknamed the "Big Pineapple", with a 24-fret neck and a half-moon overtone mark on the sandalwood fretboard. In terms of the combination of pickups, you can freely choose from three different configurations: a single humsticker, two humbuckers, or a single humbucker or a humbucker, and the tone of the pickups with a single humbucker shows the original taste of Musicman.
 
In addition, the 18-volt 4-band EQ preamplifier gives musicians more control over their tone. The series includes 4-, 5- and 6-string versions, and Dream Theater's Asian bassist John Myung has played the 6-string Bongo in many performances.