Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

The Sterling by Music Man DarkRay lineup just got even darker. The original 4-string was already a beast, but now there’s a 5-string version — both loaded with an onboard distortion circuit designed by Darkglass Electronics. In this video, I check out both models to see how they stack up in tone, playability, and pure attitude.

Whether you’re a bassist looking for a modern, aggressive tone or a guitarist crossing over to the low end, these DarkRays bring that unmistakable StingRay punch with a filthy twist.

Sterling Dark Ray 4: sweetwater.sjv.io/DarkRay4
Sterling Dark Ray 5: sweetwater.sjv.io/DarkRay5

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Start
0:20 - Intro
0:41 - Disclosure
0:57 - Sound Clip 1
1:12 - What Are We Doin?
2:36 - Sound Clip 2
3:10 - First Impressions
4:00 - Sound Clip 3
4:35 - Features
5:30 - Sound Clip 4
5:59 - Fit & Finish
6:29 - Sound Clip 5
6:46 - Controls
8:39 - Sound Clip 6
9:19 - Wrap Up


Fluff: instagram.com/riffsandbeards
Mike Squires: instagram.com/themikesquires
Join The Newsletter: eepurl.com/iUA6Es

Find Me:
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
➡️➡️Mixed By Spotify Playlist | spoti.fi/3Gofpoj
➡️➡️Website | riffsandbeards.net
➡️➡️Instagram | instagram.com/RiffsAndBeards
➡️➡️TikTok | tiktok.com/@riffsandbeards
➡️➡️Facebook | facebook.com/riffsandbeards
➡️➡️Discord | discord.gg/2XuqvPHvsG
➡️➡️Merch | teespring.com/stores/riffs-and-beards-merch
📚📚Content Creation Course: bit.ly/ContentCreation2024


Gear I Use:
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
⚙️⚙️M2 Ultra Mac Studio: sweetwater.sjv.io/M2Ultra
⚙️⚙️Apple Studio Display: sweetwater.sjv.io/AppleDisplay
⚙️⚙️Apple Keyboard: sweetwater.sjv.io/AppleKeyboard
⚙️⚙️Ernie Ball Strings | sweetwater.sjv.io/ErnieBall_Strings
⚙️⚙️ExMachina Pulsar | sweetwater.sjv.io/EX_Machina_Pulsar
⚙️⚙️Genelec 8331 | sweetwater.sjv.io/Genelec_8331
⚙️⚙️RODE NTG-5 | sweetwater.sjv.io/RODE_NTG5
⚙️⚙️Sony FX3 | amzn.to/3RKBdBj
⚙️⚙️Sony FX30 | amzn.to/3TomRYk
⚙️⚙️Three Legged Thing Tripod | amzn.to/3RGjUBk


Support This Channel
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
My Sweetwater Store: sweetwater.sjv.io/Fluff
My Reverb Shop: tidd.ly/3Y0A3V7


*All Links Are Affiliate Links*