Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay review

Ernie Ball Music Man x Darkglass Electronics is the bass gear collaboration we’ve all been waiting for, and it is spectacular

Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay bass
(Image: © Ernie Ball Music Man)

Guitar World Verdict

Addictively fun to play, rich with features, and built with superior quality, the DarkRay delivers a high return on its pricetag, and will enjoy heavy rotation in any arsenal.

Pros

  • +

    Limitless tone sculpting options.

  • +

    Ultra-sturdy.

  • +

    Perfectly balanced and playable.

  • +

    Impossible to put down.

Cons

  • -

    Top end could use a boost.

  • -

    LED indicator may discourage some.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In the opening scene of the iconic 1985 film Back To The Future, a young Marty McFly – played by Michael J. Fox, like you didn’t know that already – stands in front of a giant amplifier, strums a power chord, and is literally blown off his feet by the walloping sonic force. This scene springs to mind when we first plug in the new Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay four-string bass guitar.

One of 2021’s most talked-about releases, the DarkRay represents a visionary collaboration between Ernie Ball Music Man (EBMM) and the Finnish boutique equipment manufacturer Darkglass Electronics. 

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