Music Pioneer. He was a pioneer maker of rock 'n' roll guitar strings used by legions of artists from the Rolling Stones to Merle Travis. His strings and instruments were used by music stars over the past four decades. Beginning with a small music shop in the San Fernando Valley, he built a business with annual sales of $40 million and a worldwide reputation. In 1958, Ball opened a shop in Tarzana that, uniquely, sold only guitars. In 1962, complaints from customers that they couldn't find lighter-gauge, flexible strings for their rock 'n' roll instruments prompted Ball to create and sell sets of strings he called "Slinkys." They were a hit. He later branched out into instruments and accessories, buying the Music Man electric guitar company in 1985. Today, Ernie Ball items are sold in more than 5,000 music stores in the United States and exported to more than 70 countries.
Music Pioneer. He was a pioneer maker of rock 'n' roll guitar strings used by legions of artists from the Rolling Stones to Merle Travis. His strings and instruments were used by music stars over the past four decades. Beginning with a small music shop in the San Fernando Valley, he built a business with annual sales of $40 million and a worldwide reputation. In 1958, Ball opened a shop in Tarzana that, uniquely, sold only guitars. In 1962, complaints from customers that they couldn't find lighter-gauge, flexible strings for their rock 'n' roll instruments prompted Ball to create and sell sets of strings he called "Slinkys." They were a hit. He later branched out into instruments and accessories, buying the Music Man electric guitar company in 1985. Today, Ernie Ball items are sold in more than 5,000 music stores in the United States and exported to more than 70 countries.
Bio by: Ron Moody
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