Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay - Dark Rainbow #S13401

The DarkRay in Dark Rainbow arrives like a pulse of color breaking through a storm cloud, a bass that feels as if it was forged at the crossroads of artistry and raw sonic force. Its silhouette is instantly familiar in that classic Music Man way, yet the Dark Rainbow finish brings a sense of shifting atmosphere, a prismatic sheen that plays with light as though the instrument itself were alive and restless. The Select Hardwood body carries this finish with remarkable depth, the high gloss polyester embracing every curve and facet so that the bass seems to glow from within. Held in the hands, its size balances presence with comfort, and the sculpted 5 bolt neck joint guides the palm into a natural playing position that responds effortlessly to every nuance.

The roasted maple neck adds a calming warmth beneath the fingertips, its gunstock oil and wax blend inviting long stretches of play. The ebony fingerboard forms a dark, unbroken path for the high profile frets, while the compact 8-3/4 inch headstock and lightweight custom tuners offer a sense of sleek precision that encourages bold phrasing and wide, expressive movement. Each detail invites deeper exploration, from the gentle arc of the 11 inch radius to the way the neck widens gradually toward the 22nd fret, all working together to create a playing experience that feels both familiar and freshly energized.

At the heart of the DarkRay is a voice shaped by partnership and innovation. The single humbucker with its powerful neodymium magnets channels a thick, articulate growl, yet it is the collaboration with Darkglass that transforms this bass into a world of its own. The custom 2 band active preamp hums with clarity and muscle, while the three way lever unlocks three distinct personalities. In Preamp Only mode the DarkRay moves with smooth authority, open and defined. Engage the Alpha circuit and the bass takes on a tight, aggressive edge, a focused snarl that cuts through the mix. Switch to Omega and the instrument blooms into a feral, wide voiced roar that feels almost seismic. With volume, gain, blend, treble and bass all within immediate reach, the player can move from clean pulse to volcanic saturation in the space of a measure.

Anchoring everything is the black plated vintage style bridge, a solid, confident foundation that transfers every vibration with punch and accuracy. The black pickguard frames the vivid finish like a shadow behind flame, and the entire instrument settles in at 8 pounds 15 ounces, substantial enough to feel commanding yet light enough to move gracefully on stage.

The DarkRay in Dark Rainbow is a bass built for players who want both beauty and danger. It stands as a celebration of modern tone shaping, a testament to Music Man craftsmanship, and a vibrant, electric invitation to step into a sound that keeps unfolding the harder you push it.

Other specifications include:

• Model DarkRay Bass
• Size 13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 44-7/8" long (34.3 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 114.0 cm long)
• Body Wood Select Hardwood
• Body Finish High gloss polyester
• Bridge Vintage Music Man® top loaded Black plated, steel bridge plate with vintage Black plated steel saddles
• Pickguard Black
• Scale Length 34" (86.4 cm)
• Neck Radius 11" (27.9 cm)
• Headstock Size Only 8-3/4" (22.2 cm) long
• Frets 22 - High profile, wide
• Neck Width 1-11/16" (42.86 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret
• Neck Wood Roasted maple neck
• Fingerboard Ebony (Roasted Maple on Gold Bar)
• Fret Markers Dot Inlay
• Neck Finish Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
• Neck Colors Roasted - Obsidian Black; Color Matches Body - Granite Stone
• Tuning Machines Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
• Neck Attachment 5 bolt, sculpted neck joint
• Electronic Shielding Graphite acrylic resin coated body cavity and black plated aluminum control cover
• Controls Custom Darkglass® 2-band active preamp with two distinct distortion circuits (Alpha and Omega); vol, gain, blend, treble, bass
• Switching 3-way lever distortion selector; Preamp Only, Preamp+Alpha Distortion, Preamp+Omega Distortion
• Pickups Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets
• Left Handed No
• Strings 45w-65w-80w-100w (Super Slinky Bass #2834)
• Model # 128-DKR-50-01-MB-BM
• 8 lbs 15 oz
• #S13401

For more information about the Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay, please contact us.

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