Ernie Ball Music Man has unveiled the Tim Commerford Artist Series StingRay Basses, available in Active and Passive configurations, both built in close collaboration with the Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and 7D7D bassist. Known for his precision playing, driving tone, and aggressive energy, Commerford worked with Music Man to create instruments that reflect his exacting performance standards.
Active Model: Power, Precision, and Tonal Control
The Tim Commerford Active StingRay is engineered for players who demand a broad tonal range and high output. Featuring a powerful neodymium humbucker, an 18-volt preamp, and a 3-band active EQ, this model offers aggressive tone shaping with crystal-clear headroom. Whether you’re dialing in clean articulation or full-on growl, the onboard electronics are designed for clarity and versatility.
The Ash body is paired with a Roasted Maple neck and Ebony fingerboard, offering a responsive, balanced tone and sleek playability. Finished in either Caliper Red or Natural Gloss, the Active model also includes Commerford’s signature height-adjustable finger ramp, a string-through-body bridge with red mute pads, and black hardware for a modern, rugged aesthetic. Stainless steel frets, a matching headstock, and custom lightweight tuners round out a gig-ready package with premium appointments.
Passive Model: Raw and Responsive
For players who prefer a more stripped-back, organic tone, the Tim Commerford Passive StingRay delivers uncompressed punch with tactile response. Also equipped with a neodymium humbucker, this model drops the preamp in favor of a passive push/push volume pot with built-in gain boost, a tone control, and a three-way rotary pickup selector, giving players a surprising amount of tonal variation without sacrificing simplicity.
The construction remains true to its active sibling, with an Ash body, Roasted Maple neck, and Ebony fretboard, ensuring consistent feel and tonal characteristics across both models. Offered in Fight Night White and Natural Gloss, the Passive version features the same black chrome-plated hardware, string-through bridge with mute pads, and custom finger ramp that defines the look and feel of this signature line.
Similarities: Shared DNA With Custom Touches
Despite their tonal differences, both Tim Commerford StingRay models share a core set of high-end specifications. These include a 34-inch scale length, 22 stainless steel frets, 11-inch neck radius, and a 5-bolt sculpted neck joint for maximum access and resonance. The slim neck profile, Graph Tech hardware, and custom Music Man tuners make both models performance-ready instruments designed for serious stage and studio use.
Both basses feature a single neodymium humbucker, known for its clarity, tight low end, and powerful output. While the Active model emphasizes precision EQ and high headroom, the Passive version delivers more immediate dynamic response with simplified controls.
Designed to Rage, Built to Last
Whether you choose the Active or Passive version, the Tim Commerford StingRay is a bold entry into Music Man’s Artist Series lineup. With attention to construction, player-specific ergonomics, and sonic flexibility, both models reflect Commerford’s dedication to tone, feel, and reliability.
Get the Ernie Ball Music Man Tim Commerford Artist Series StingRay here (both active and passive) for $3,299, and keep up with all our Ernie Ball Music Man coverage right here!
