Ernie Ball’s StingRay Bass has become commonplace as one of the greatest classic basses that pushed electric bass design forward. Designed between Ernie Ball and Fender the bass is now celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than by releasing a new bass guitar.

‘Old Smoothie’ was named by Leo Fender and was the prototype that lost out to the StingRay, though Ernie’s son Sterling Ball loved and played Old Smoothie for years. The bass shares it’s iconic look with the StingRay but is unique in it’s Music Man truss rod, meticulously reproduced Old Smoothie humbucker, lower frets for incredibly easy neck maneuvers, and a beautiful active sound.

Watch Sterling Ball talk about the history of the StingRay and Old Smoothie in the video below, where he also talks about his family’s close relationship with guitar and amp pioneer Leo Fender.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ZRWzEBIzE?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

You can pre-order the Ernie Ball Music Man Old Smoothie with hardcase for $1,999 from here: www.music-man.com/instruments/basses/old-smoothie