Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino Icon StingRay
The Pino Palladino Icon Series StingRay Bass is a meticulously crafted, exact replica of Pino’s legendary 1979 fretless StingRay, limited to just 15 pieces worldwide.
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Ships from California.
About this product
Built using many period-correct parts and materials, this bass features a full nitrocellulose gloss finish and a broken-in feel, with every dent, ding, and scrape painstakingly replicated to capture the true character of this road-worn icon. The poplar body and slab rosewood fretboard capture the tone and character of Pino’s original, while the dark-tinted maple neck has the same unique asymmetrical carve that transitions from a V on the bass side to a C on the treble side, just like the bass he purchased in 1981.
This model includes genuine New Old Stock bridge plates from the late 70s, complete with serial numbers close to Pino’s original bass. It also features brass saddles, a GraphTech NuBone nut with meticulously sanded and softened shoulders, and a perfectly placed water decal on the headstock, matching the irregular position of Pino’s original. The string tree is precisely located between the D and G strings, as it was on his bass.
The pickup and preamp have been faithfully recreated to match the tone of Pino’s original electronics, using period-correct components and designs to capture the same warmth, clarity, and dynamic response that defined his early recordings. StingRay enthusiasts will appreciate the attention to detail, including the use of a 500k treble pot in place of the original 1 Meg, matching the modification Pino made to his bass many years ago.
To further capture the spirit of his instrument, each bass comes with a large replica Wales Rugby Bobblehead sticker on the back, a nod to Pino’s personal touch. The back of each headstock is hand-signed by Pino Palladino himself, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. The bass comes in a premium G&G case with a black shell and gold fur lining, along with vintage-inspired case candy including a Certificate of Authenticity, Allen wrenches, a hangtag manual, and a yellow polish cloth.
This is more than a bass – it’s a piece of history, capturing the unmistakable tone and feel of a true icon
This model includes genuine New Old Stock bridge plates from the late 70s, complete with serial numbers close to Pino’s original bass. It also features brass saddles, a GraphTech NuBone nut with meticulously sanded and softened shoulders, and a perfectly placed water decal on the headstock, matching the irregular position of Pino’s original. The string tree is precisely located between the D and G strings, as it was on his bass.
The pickup and preamp have been faithfully recreated to match the tone of Pino’s original electronics, using period-correct components and designs to capture the same warmth, clarity, and dynamic response that defined his early recordings. StingRay enthusiasts will appreciate the attention to detail, including the use of a 500k treble pot in place of the original 1 Meg, matching the modification Pino made to his bass many years ago.
To further capture the spirit of his instrument, each bass comes with a large replica Wales Rugby Bobblehead sticker on the back, a nod to Pino’s personal touch. The back of each headstock is hand-signed by Pino Palladino himself, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. The bass comes in a premium G&G case with a black shell and gold fur lining, along with vintage-inspired case candy including a Certificate of Authenticity, Allen wrenches, a hangtag manual, and a yellow polish cloth.
This is more than a bass – it’s a piece of history, capturing the unmistakable tone and feel of a true icon
Specifications
| Instrument Type | Bass |
|---|---|
| Body Color | 79 Burst, Aged to replicate Pino's original |
| Body Finish | Nitrocellulose - artificially aged to replicate Pino's exact bass |
| Body Wood | One Piece Poplar |
| Bridge | N.O.S. Pre-Ernie Ball Music Man® Chrome Plated, Steel Bridge Plate with Brass Saddles and Stainless Steel Spring Mutes |
| Controls | 2-band active preamp, 25k Volume; 500k Treble and 100k Bass |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Frets | Unlined Fretless |
| Hardware | "Aged" Chrome |
| Neck Attachment | 3-Bolt period correct, old Music Man stamp |
| Neck Colors | Dark Orange Tint |
| Neck Finish | "Aged" Nitrocellulose |
| Neck Radius | 7.5" |
| Neck Width | 1.686" at Nut; 2.458" at Heel |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Pickguard | "Aged" 3 ply Black/White/Black |
| Pickups | Late 70s StingRay Voiced (Shorter "Aged" Pole Pieces, flush with cover) with "Aged" Cover |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Strings | 36w-55w-65w-90w Custom Gauge Ernie Ball Slinky Nickel Wound |
| Truss Rod | Traditional Bullet Nut at Headstock, Walnut Skunk Stripe on back of neck |
| Tuning Machines | "Aged" Schaller Bass |
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