The Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay in Plasma Purple is a bass designed for players who aren’t afraid to push boundaries—both visually and sonically. Its vibrant high-gloss polyester finish over a select hardwood body delivers a bold aesthetic, while maintaining the top-tier craftsmanship and performance that Music Man instruments are known for. The iconic 13-1/2" wide body is balanced and comfortable, measuring 1-5/8" thick and 44-7/8" long, built to feel familiar yet ready for the modern stage. A sleek black pickguard and a black-plated vintage Music Man® steel bridge with matching saddles complete the look with aggressive style and rock-solid tuning stability.

Powering the DarkRay’s signature growl is a custom Darkglass® 2-band active preamp paired with a single neodymium humbucker. This setup opens the door to a dynamic range of tones—from warm and clean to downright brutal. A 3-way lever switch lets you explore three distinct voices: Preamp Only for pure clarity, Preamp + Alpha Distortion for focused punch and grit, and Preamp + Omega Distortion for full-on heavy saturation. With controls for volume, gain, blend, treble, and bass, you’re always within reach of your perfect sound, whether on stage or in the studio. The electronics are protected by a graphite acrylic resin–coated cavity and black-plated aluminum control cover, minimizing interference and maximizing durability.

The roasted maple neck offers exceptional stability and a premium feel, capped with an ebony fingerboard for a smooth, fast response under the fingers. An 11" radius and 22 high-profile, wide frets ensure deep playability across the full range, while dot inlays keep the aesthetic clean and performance-focused. The gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend neck finish enhances comfort, letting your hand glide effortlessly. Custom lightweight Music Man tuning machines with ergonomic clover keys maintain precise tuning and reduce neck dive, paired with a sculpted 5-bolt neck joint for excellent access all the way to the last fret.

From its unique Plasma Purple presence to its boundary-breaking distortion architecture, the Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay was built to provide bassists with a new creative platform. Featuring a 34" scale length, 1-11/16" nut width, standard Super Slinky Bass strings (45w–100w), and arriving in an Ernie Ball Music Man/Mono case, this is a bass that inspires confidence from the moment it’s strapped on. The DarkRay isn’t just another instrument—it’s a powerful force ready to take center stage.