Ernie Ball History

Musician Roland Sherwood Ball was born in 1930. He soon picked up the stage name Ernie which was suggested by a fellow band member. Ernie Ball later went into teaching guitar and this was when he noticed that many of his students were having difficulties with the strings of electric guitars, particularly the third string. He approached Fender about the issue but they were not interested in producing new strings so he took the extraordinary step of approaching a manufacturer himself to get a new type of string produced. Ernie was proving to be something of a pioneer as he also opened the world's first store dedicated to electric guitars.

Slinky Strings Were Born

As Ernie Ball began to develop his strings he also set up a mail order service. Significant musicians started to play with the strings which were eventually to form the legendary Slinky range. The distinctive packaging which is still used today was designed by a Disney Imagineer. One by one the greatest rock musicians started to turn to Slinky Strings which were revered for their rich, warm tone. The strings have been the favourites of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Angus Young, Eric Clapton, Keith Richard and Jimi Hendrix which is a pretty good recommendation!

Ernie Ball Slinky strings are manufactured to the highest standards to ensure consistency, performance and a long life. Wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around a hex shaped steel core. Plain strings are fashioned from specially tempered tin plated high carbon steel. The strings produce a well-balanced tone.