Light weight Music Man Stingray? Do they exist?

[pepito666]

Hello. I'd like to buy a Musicman Stingray, but all the ones I find, in stores or secondhand, weigh at least 4.3 kg. Most of the time 4.5k or more.
I can't find a single one that weighs less than 4 kg. Apparently, this high weight is normal for this model. I'm thinking of giving up on it and looking for lighter alternatives like the Sire Z3 or the Sterling Ray4. When I ask about Ray34s, they all weigh as much as the Musicman, and even the Musicman Sterling USA model or the American sub-models are incredibly heavy.
Is this typical, or are there Stingrays that weigh less than 4 kg? At my age, weight is quite an important factor.
Thanks.

 

[Nebadon2000]

The only Stingrays that may be considered light are Stingray Special around 8lbs mine is 8lbs 3oz

The Sire Z3 weights listed by Retailers I have seen are mostly 9lbs+

 

[bhunt1]

I ordered a Stringray 4 HH from the Musicman Design Experience. It weighs 8.25 lbs. Sweetwater lists the weights of many of their basses. One thing I have noticed is most of the lighter ones have ash bodies (either clear or translucent finished bodies are ash). Stringrays do vary so if you can find one that states the weight you want that would be the surest way to get what you want.

 

[Pier_]

Is this typical, or are there Stingrays that weigh less than 4 kg? At my age, weight is quite an important factor.

I had a 2004 Standard 3EQ at 3.8kg and a 2015 Standard 3EQ at 3.7kg. however, consider that the Stingray is way more balanced than a Fender, and the weight will be less "incidental" on the overall feeling.
a 4kg Stingray is "lighter" on your shoulder than a light Fender with some neck dive.

 

[Corevalay]

You can find Stingray Specials in the low 8lbs and even into 7lbs if you get lucky. I had older Stingrays that were 11lbs... my Stingray Special comes in at 8lbs 4oz and it's excellent! Good luck.

 

[cyclealt]

The specials tend to be much lighter than the american or sterling line. I've got an older hefty one, use to be my heaviest until I changed it all to light weight hardware now it's about as on par as my second heaviest which is much more manageable.

 

[Brandon Shea]

My StingRay Special is about 3.9kg (rounding up). Most Specials I've seen are around that weight, give or take a little from bass to bass. Every StingRay Special I've tried balances perfectly, which is amazing.

 

[murphy]

I just sold my 2005 that only weighed 8lbs
Was a dream to play
I am sad....wish I could have kept it

 

[Saetia]

My 2025 StingRay 4H Sepcial is 8lbs even.

The Bongo is sub 8.

 

[scrubhelmet]

Hello. I'd like to buy a Musicman Stingray, but all the ones I find, in stores or secondhand, weigh at least 4.3 kg. Most of the time 4.5k or more.
I can't find a single one that weighs less than 4 kg. Apparently, this high weight is normal for this model. I'm thinking of giving up on it and looking for lighter alternatives like the Sire Z3 or the Sterling Ray4. When I ask about Ray34s, they all weigh as much as the Musicman, and even the Musicman Sterling USA model or the American sub-models are incredibly heavy.
Is this typical, or are there Stingrays that weigh less than 4 kg? At my age, weight is quite an important factor.
Thanks.

I have the Sire Z3. Have you tried playing with them on the store?

 

[Saetia]

Another thought is Sweetwater, do they still weigh instruments over a certain price?

 

[jam.majors]

For what it's worth, I had a 2008 Stingray 4H that weighed 9.71lbs (4.4kg), and now I have a 2021 Stingray Special 5HH that weighs 8.27lbs (3.75kg). It's a pretty significant difference in weight, especially when considering the lighter one has more strings and pickups!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

As others have said just shop around for a Special that has the weight listed. I had a 4 string for a bit that was under 8 lbs.

 

[waynobass]

Please, "kg" is meaningless. Stop using that.

 

[cataract]

Please, "kg" is meaningless. Stop using that.

I’m gonna start listing the weights of all the basses I sell in the classifieds here in kgs now

 

[mpdd]

i work at a guitar refinish place and just bought a super heavyweight stingray, there are two solutions
1. get a replacement body that isn't heavy, but you've gotta seal it, sand it, paint it, clear coat, and polish it
2. get a 4 inch wide moody strap (this is what i did)

 

[Saetia]

I’m gonna start listing the weights of all the basses I sell in the classifieds here in kgs now

I didn’t realize your SN at first and after reading your comment it all made sense. Thanks for the laugh this morning.

 

[Goatrope]

I used to own a circa 1995 3-band that was 9 pounds, 7 ounces. Didn't sell for the weight. It had bad dead spots and I couldn't get the preamp to work in our mix.

Currently own this '25 Special that's considerably lighter. 7 pounds 12 ounces. (3.527kg)

 

[DWBass]

Absolutely. The new Stingray Specials are all lightweight. I used to avoid them like the plague until I picked one up in GC last year and was shocked how light the bass was! However, the price put me off big time!! $3k!! Ain't no way.

 

[Saetia]

Absolutely. The new Stingray Specials are all lightweight. I used to avoid them like the plague until I picked one up in GC last year and was shocked how light the bass was! However, the price put me off big time!! $3k!! Ain't no way.

Used prices are pretty good though. Basically 1k off my 2025 in pristine condition.