Ernie Ball Incorporation

Ernie Ball, Inc. is an American musical-instrument and accessory company headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California. The business is best known for Ernie Ball Slinky strings, a family of guitar and bass strings that helped popularize lighter gauges and plain third strings among rock musicians. It also manufactures and sells electric guitars, basses and related instruments through Ernie Ball Music Man, the company formed after Ernie Ball acquired Music Man in 1984. The company grew out of Roland Sherwood “Ernie” Ball’s work as a musician, teacher, studio performer and music retailer. After serving in the United States Air Force Band during the Korean War, Ball worked in the Los Angeles music scene and opened a guitar-focused store in Tarzana, California, around 1957 or 1958. He later opened additional locations in Canoga Park and Thousand Oaks. His stores attracted professional players and became laboratories for experimenting with guitar-string gauges. Ball noticed that many beginning players found conventional medium-gauge guitar sets difficult to play, particularly because of the relatively heavy third string. He proposed lighter sets to established manufacturers, but when those proposals were rejected, he commissioned custom sets from a string maker and sold them through his stores. He also observed musicians using informal “slack stringing” arrangements, including a lighter plain third string. The resulting custom sets became known as Slinky strings. Professional musicians carried them across the country, helping the product move from a local retail experiment to a widely recognized guitar accessory. In 1967, Ball concentrated the company on strings and accessories and moved operations to Newport Beach. The company subsequently expanded into instrument manufacturing. Its first guitar-related instrument was the Earthwood acoustic-electric bass, introduced in 1972 after Ball worked with former Fender employee George Fullerton. The large-bodied instrument was designed to give bassists an acoustic-sounding alternative and later became associated with the broader revival of acoustic bass performance. Family succession became central to the company. Sterling Ball, Ernie Ball’s son, joined the business as a child, became a brand representative in 1973 and assumed full control in 1975. The company moved to San Luis Obispo in 1979 to expand production capacity. In 1984 it acquired Music Man’s trademarks, inventory and warehouse assets, then built a factory and began producing instruments in 1985. The resulting Ernie Ball Music Man operation became an important part of the company’s identity alongside strings and accessories. Ernie Ball has also invested heavily in musician development and media. Since 1997, its Battle of the Bands program has given unsigned acts opportunities to compete for festival exposure and prizes, including appearances associated with Warped Tour. The company later supported an international Battle of the Bands connected with Taste of Chaos. Its media projects have included the documentary series Ernie Ball: The Pursuit of Tone, the web series Ernie Ball: String Theory and the Striking a Chord podcast. The business remains privately held and family connected. Brian Ball, the next generation of the Ball family, became president in 2015 and CEO in 2019. Public reference material describes the company as operating across guitar strings, instruments and accessories, with international distribution, but does not provide reliable current revenue, ownership percentages or a corporate website URL in the supplied sources.

Ernie Ball, Inc. emerged from the activities of Roland Sherwood “Ernie” Ball, a Los Angeles-area musician and educator who had served in the United States Air Force Band during the Korean War. In the 1950s he worked as a studio musician and teacher before opening a guitar-centered retail store in Tarzana, California, around 1957 or 1958. He later opened stores in Canoga Park and Thousand Oaks. The stores emphasized guitars rather than a broad range of musical merchandise and attracted professional players from the Southern California music community. The retail business exposed Ball to a practical problem in the standard guitar-string market. Many students found the then-common medium-gauge sets difficult to play, especially because of the heavy third string. Ball proposed lighter alternatives to Fender and later Gibson, but neither company adopted his suggestions. He therefore commissioned custom sets from a string manufacturer, including a lighter third string, and sold individual gauges and experimental combinations to customers. He also responded to musicians who were “slack stringing” their instruments by using lighter overall sets and a plain third string. These products became Ernie Ball Slinky strings and spread through professional musicians before reaching a wider mail-order and retail market. The recognizable Slinky packaging was designed by Rolly Crump, a Disney Imagineer. As rock music expanded during the 1960s, the strings became associated with players who wanted easier bending and a more flexible feel. In 1967, Ball reorganized the business around strings and guitar accessories and moved it to Newport Beach. This decision established the core product orientation that still defines the brand. The company subsequently moved into instruments. In 1972 it introduced the Earthwood acoustic-electric bass, developed with George William Fullerton. Ball wanted an instrument that would produce an acoustic character suitable for use alongside acoustic guitars. The Earthwood was unusually large and deep-bodied compared with many contemporary basses. Its initial production ended in 1974, later resumed under the direction of employee Dan Norton and finally ended in 1985. Although initially unconventional, the instrument was later viewed as an early example of the acoustic-bass concept that gained visibility in the late 1980s. Sterling Ball, Ernie’s son, had worked for the company from childhood. He became a brand representative in 1973 and received full control of the company in 1975. In 1979 the business relocated to San Luis Obispo to support greater production capacity. A major expansion followed in 1984, when Ernie Ball acquired Music Man. The transaction included Music Man’s trademarks, inventory and warehouse but not a factory. Ernie Ball constructed a factory and began instrument production in 1985, creating the Ernie Ball Music Man business that broadened the company’s reach into electric guitars and basses. The company’s history also includes an unusual technology-policy episode. In 2000, the Business Software Alliance raided Ernie Ball and accused the company of having unlicensed software installed. Following a court settlement, the organization used Ernie Ball in promotional material about software compliance. Sterling Ball objected to the treatment and directed the company to remove Microsoft software, adopting an open-source policy instead. Ernie Ball has maintained a visible relationship with musicians beyond product manufacturing. Since 1997, the company has sponsored a Battle of the Bands associated with Warped Tour, offering unsigned bands a route to festival exposure, prizes and recognition. It also supported an international competition linked to Taste of Chaos. Its media activity expanded through the 2016 documentary series Ernie Ball: The Pursuit of Tone, along with the web series Ernie Ball: String Theory and the Striking a Chord podcast. These projects reinforce the company’s emphasis on individual playing styles and musicians’ creative development. Family management continued into the next generation when Brian Ball became president in 2015 and CEO in 2019. Available reference material identifies the company as an active, privately held American manufacturer and seller of strings, instruments and accessories, but does not establish current revenue, detailed ownership percentages, a current headcount or a verified official website URL.

• 2019

  Brian Ball becomes CEO

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Brian Ball became chief executive officer.

• 2016

  The Pursuit of Tone premieres

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  A documentary series about guitarists and their distinctive sounds premiered on Audience.

• 2015

  Brian Ball becomes president

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Brian Ball was promoted to president.

• 2000

  Open-source software policy adopted

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Following a software-licensing dispute and settlement, the company removed Microsoft software and adopted an open-source policy.

• 1997

  Battle of the Bands sponsorship begins

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  The company began sponsoring a Battle of the Bands associated with Warped Tour.

• 1985

  Music Man instrument production begins

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  After building a factory, Ernie Ball began manufacturing Music Man instruments.

• 1984

  Music Man acquired

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Ernie Ball acquired Music Man’s trademarks, inventory and warehouse assets.

• 1979

  Operations move to San Luis Obispo

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  The company relocated to San Luis Obispo to increase its production capabilities.

• 1975

  Sterling Ball assumes control

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Sterling Ball received full control of the company after years of involvement in the family business.

• 1972

  Earthwood acoustic-electric bass introduced

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Ernie Ball entered instrument production with a large-bodied acoustic-electric bass developed with George Fullerton.

• 1967

  Focus shifts to strings and accessories

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  The company concentrated on strings and guitar accessories and moved to Newport Beach.

• 1962

  The Ernie Ball string business begins

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Ball launched custom guitar-string sets with lighter gauges, later marketed under the Slinky name.

• 1957

  Ernie Ball opens a guitar-focused music store

  [1]Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Ball opened a music store in Tarzana, California, beginning the retail activity from which the later brand developed.

A musician-oriented, performance-led instrument brand combining widely used guitar and bass strings with premium electric guitars, basses and artist-associated equipment. Its identity is strongly connected to rock, contemporary popular music, player customization and support for emerging musicians.

• Guitar and bass strings · 1962

  Slinky strings

  Slinky is Ernie Ball’s best-known string family. It grew from custom sets designed for easier fretting and bending, including lighter gauges and a plain third string. The line became strongly associated with professional rock musicians and later expanded across electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass applications. Its importance is both commercial and technical: it helped normalize the idea that players could choose lighter, highly specialized string sets rather than rely only on standardized medium gauges.

• Acoustic bass · 1972

  Earthwood acoustic-electric bass

  The Earthwood was Ernie Ball’s first major instrument venture. Developed with George William Fullerton, it used a large and deep body to produce greater acoustic volume and a pronounced low register. The model was initially produced in the 1970s, temporarily revived and ultimately discontinued in 1985. It is historically notable as an early attempt to create an acoustic bass that could function alongside acoustic guitars.

• Electric guitars · 1985

  Ernie Ball Music Man guitars

  Ernie Ball Music Man electric guitars are produced through the Music Man operation acquired by Ernie Ball in 1984. After a new factory was built, instrument production began in 1985. The line extends the company from consumable accessories into complete instruments and is positioned around professional performance, distinctive designs and close relationships with notable players.

• Electric basses · 1985

  Ernie Ball Music Man basses

  The Music Man bass business forms a major part of Ernie Ball’s instrument portfolio. It developed after the acquisition of Music Man and factory production beginning in 1985. The offering complements the company’s bass-string business by providing complete electric bass instruments for professional and advanced players.

• 2000

  Business Software Alliance software-licensing dispute

  The Business Software Alliance raided Ernie Ball’s premises and accused the company of having unlicensed software installed. The matter ended in a court settlement. The BSA subsequently used the company in compliance-oriented publicity, which Sterling Ball regarded as unfair treatment and which prompted a major internal change in software policy.

  Source

Read more

• 2016The Pursuit of Tone

  United States

  Ernie Ball supported a documentary series examining how guitarists developed their individual sounds and musical identities. Featured musicians included Tom DeLonge, Billy Duffy, Buddy Guy, Hunter Hayes and Mike Ness.

  Outcome. The series expanded Ernie Ball’s brand storytelling from products to musicians’ creative processes.

  Source
• 1997Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands

  United States

  Ernie Ball began sponsoring a Battle of the Bands connected with Warped Tour. Unsigned groups competed for prizes, recognition and the chance to perform in a prominent festival setting. The program was intended to connect the brand with emerging musicians rather than only established endorsers.

  Outcome. The competition provided exposure for unsigned bands; the supplied reference identifies PVRIS and Nothing More among acts associated with its career-launching impact.

  Source
• Ernie Ball International Battle of the Bands

  International

  The company also sponsored an international competition associated with Taste of Chaos. Local bands sought fan votes through an online competition, after which judges selected a winner from the leading entries.

  Outcome. The winning band received an invitation to perform at the festival.

  Source

• 2000

  Adopt an open-source software policyOther

  Background

  A Business Software Alliance raid and subsequent settlement concerned alleged use of unlicensed software at company premises.

  Action taken

  Sterling Ball ordered Microsoft software removed and directed the company toward open-source software.

  Aftermath

  The dispute became one of the most unusual publicly discussed episodes in the company’s corporate history.

  Source

• 1984

  Acquire Music ManM&A

  Background

  Ernie Ball sought to expand from strings and accessories into complete musical instruments.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Music Man’s trademarks, inventory and warehouse assets and then built a manufacturing facility.

  Aftermath

  Instrument production began in 1985 and Music Man became a continuing pillar of the Ernie Ball business.

  Source

• 1972

  Develop the Earthwood acoustic-electric bassProduct launch

  Background

  Ball wanted bassists to have an acoustic-sounding instrument that could complement acoustic guitars.

  Action taken

  The company worked with George William Fullerton to create a large-bodied acoustic-electric bass.

  Aftermath

  Production ended, resumed for a period and ceased again in 1985; the concept later benefited from renewed interest in acoustic bass performance.

  Source

• 1967

  Concentrate on strings and accessoriesStrategy

  Background

  The company had developed recognition through its custom-string business and guitar-focused retail operations.

  Action taken

  Ernie Ball focused the business exclusively on strings and guitar accessories and moved to Newport Beach.

  Aftermath

  This specialization established the company’s core accessory identity before its later return to instrument manufacturing.

  Source

• 1962

  Launch custom lighter-gauge string setsProduct launch

  Background

  Ball observed that students struggled with standard medium-gauge sets and that musicians were independently experimenting with lighter string arrangements.

  Action taken

  He commissioned custom sets, including a lighter third string, and sold them through his retail stores under the Ernie Ball name.

  Aftermath

  The sets evolved into Slinky strings and gained national visibility through professional musicians.

  Source

1. 1Ernie Ball Inc.en.wikipedia.org