Cliff Williams’ 1976 Music Man StingRay
Cliff Williams’ 1976 Music Man StingRay
The Matt’s Guitar Shop collection doesn’t overlook legendary basses—and this Music Man StingRay is a true piece of history for all hard rock fans, especially those of AC/DC.
When Cliff Williams joined AC/DC in 1977, he played a Fender Precision—a bass that suited his powerful, efficient pick-playing style. Meanwhile, the California-based brand Music Man, founded by none other than Leo Fender, had just launched the StingRay bass. This model retained the simplicity of the Precision Bass while offering higher output and a sharper tone—perfect for the evolving sound of late ’70s rock production.
Cliff Williams permanently switched to the StingRay in 1979, during the tour following the release of Highway To Hell. A sunburst StingRay can be seen in the film Let There Be Rock, recorded in Paris in December 1979. The same bass appears again in 2011’s Live at the River Plate, and continued to be used through the Rock Or Bust World Tour, which wrapped up in 2016. Over those 37 years of loyal service, Cliff Williams only used five StingRays—this one is number 3. It’s safe to say that very few basses have shaken as many stadiums as this humble Music Man!
Step into the legendary world of Matt’s Guitar Shop, the guitar store in Paris, and discover unique pieces like the Randy Rhoads Guitar, the iconic Rory Gallagher Guitar, the Aerosmith Guitar, the John Frusciante Guitar, the KISS Guitar, the Gene Simmons Bass, or the legendary Keith Richards Telecaster Guitar.
Biography of Cliff Williams, legendary bassist of AC/DC
Cliff Williams is a British bassist born on December 14, 1949, in England. He is worldwide known as the iconic bassist of AC/DC, which he joined in 1977 and with whom he made history in hard rock.
A major career in rock
Within AC/DC, Cliff Williams contributed to legendary albums such as Highway to Hell and Back in Black, one of the best-selling albums of all time. His bass playing stands out for its powerful, precise rhythms, perfectly suited to the band's sound.
Playing style and instruments
Known for his simple and effective playing, Cliff Williams favors solid bass lines that serve the groove. He is closely associated with Music Man StingRay basses, particularly the vintage 1970s models, which have become benchmarks for rock bassists.
A hard rock icon
A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cliff Williams is today considered one of the most influential rock bassists, admired for his consistency, distinctive sound, and key role in AC/DC's success.
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