Sterling Cory Wong StingRay II: Humbucker Power for $749
Sterling By Music Man Cory Wong StingRay II signature guitar launches at $749 with dual ceramic humbuckers, roasted maple neck, and classic offset body
NAMM 2026 introduced many standout instruments, but few generated as much excitement as the Sterling By Music Man Cory Wong StingRay II. Now officially landing in stores at $749, this signature model translates the Vulfpeck funk master’s right-hand speed and rhythmic precision into an affordable, humbucker-loaded offset package.
Single-Coil Snap Meets Humbucker Girth
Cory Wong built his reputation on the elastic, percussive snap of single-coil pickups. However, expanding live arrangements and heavier rhythm passages required a thicker sonic foundation than traditional single-coils could provide.
"I am known by a lot of people as somebody who plays a single-coil guitar. That’s a big part of my sound," Wong explains. "But there was a lack of just a fatness in some of the things I wanted to play."
When the Ernie Ball Music Man R&D team began exploring a modern refresh of their classic StingRay guitar layout, Wong stepped in to collaborate. The result is a signature instrument tailored for high-speed rhythm playing, articulate clean tones, and plenty of low-end punch.
Classic Bass Ergonomics, Built for Six Strings
Visually, the StingRay II pays homage to the iconic 1970s StingRay bass, featuring an ergonomic double-contoured body, an oversized headstock, and a distinctive egg-shaped pickguard.
Under the hood, Sterling By Music Man equipped the guitar with performance-focused features:
- Caramelized Roasted Maple Neck: Roasted for enhanced stability against temperature and humidity shifts, finished in a smooth satin coat with a comfortable "C" profile.
- Genuine Rosewood Fingerboard: A welcome inclusion at this price point, featuring a modern 12-inch radius, 22 medium frets, and white dot inlays.
- Dual Ceramic Humbuckers: Custom-voiced to retain note definition and high-end clarity while filling out the lower frequency spectrum.
- Rock-Solid Hardware: Includes factory-installed locking tuners for swift string changes and stable tuning during heavy tremolo use, alongside a smooth vintage-style bridge and a sculpted 5-bolt neck plate.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Model | Sterling By Music Man Cory Wong StingRay II |
| Body Wood | Alder |
| Body Finishes | Blue Pearl, Silver (High Gloss Polyester) |
| Neck Wood | Roasted Maple (Satin Finish) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood (12" Radius / 30.5 cm) |
| Scale Length | 25.5" (64.8 cm) |
| Frets | 22 Medium Frets |
| Nut Width | 1.65" (42 mm) [cite: 1.1.7] |
| Pickups | Dual Ceramic Humbuckers (HH Configuration) |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Toggle Switch |
| Bridge | Vintage-Style Tremolo |
| Tuning Machines | Die-Cast Locking Tuners |
| Truss Rod | Dual-Action with Body-End Spoke Wheel Adjustment |
| Street Price | $749 USD (Gig bag sold separately) |
Available in Blue Pearl and Silver, the Sterling By Music Man StingRay II stands out as one of the most complete and versatile mid-tier offset electrics on the market.
- +Affordable price for a signature model with quality components
- +Genuine rosewood fingerboard and roasted maple neck at sub-$800 price point
- +Dual ceramic humbuckers deliver thickness without sacrificing articulation
- +Locking tuners and vintage-style tremolo for stable tuning and smooth operation
- +Iconic offset body ergonomics borrowed from StingRay bass design
- +Available in two attractive high-gloss finishes
- −Gig bag sold separately, not included at $749 price
- −Shift to humbuckers may alienate players seeking Wong's traditional single-coil snap
What are the main pickups in the Cory Wong StingRay II?
The guitar features dual ceramic humbuckers in an HH configuration, custom-voiced to retain note definition and high-end clarity while delivering low-end punch—a shift from Wong's signature single-coil tone.
What wood is used for the neck and fingerboard?
The neck is caramelized roasted maple with a satin finish and comfortable C profile. The fingerboard is genuine rosewood with a 12-inch radius, 22 medium frets, and white dot inlays.
What finish options are available for the StingRay II?
The guitar is available in two high-gloss polyester finishes: Blue Pearl and Silver. An alder body provides the base for both colorways.
Does the StingRay II come with a gig bag?
No. The $749 price is for the guitar only; a gig bag is sold separately.
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