Remembering Ernie Ball!

Hi, WA Friends

Today, I'm taking a moment to remember Ernie Ball, the American musician and entrepreneur who left an indelible mark on the world of guitar. September 9, (2004) marks the anniversary of his passing.

Virtually every electric guitar player is familiar with his name and has probably used his strings at some point.

So, what does he have to do with online marketing? Well, nothing, unless you're in the online guitar niche, but I hope you'll take a few moments out of your busy day to relax, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy his story, even if you're not a guitar player.

Go ahead, admit it. You must be getting a little tired of reading the same posts, repackaged again and again. How to rank on page one, is my niche narrow enough?, how to use every possible second in the day doing affiliate marketing, Hahaha (jk)!

Early Life And Musical Beginnings

Ernie Ball was born on August 30, 1930, in Santa Monica, California. He was a man of many talents, but his love for music was evident from a young age. He started playing the steel guitar at just nine years old. By the time he was 19, he was already touring with big names like Tommy Duncan. But Ernie wasn't just content with playing; he had a vision for the future of guitar music.

The Birth Of Ernie Ball Strings

In 1962, Ernie Ball opened a guitar shop in Tarzana, California. It was here that he noticed a gap in the market for custom gauge guitar strings. Most strings at the time were too thick and hard to bend, making it difficult for guitarists to achieve the expressive sounds they desired. So, Ernie took matters into his own hands and created the first-ever custom gauge rock 'n' roll guitar strings. These strings were an instant hit, and the Ernie Ball brand was born.

My Experience With Ernie Ball Strings

I've tried every brand of electric guitar strings you can name over the years, starting from 5th grade, but I've always came back to "Ernie's!" In high school, I used an insanely thin string set that was only made by Dan Armstrong, and I broke the high-E (thinnest) string about three times a week. I always carried a whole package of them in my guitar case! Lol

These days, I only use Ernie Ball 10s (well, sometimes 11s) because they have the sound and playability I want.

Famous Guitarists Who Swear By Ernie Ball Strings

Ernie Ball strings have been the go-to choice for many legendary guitarists. The back of every string package proudly displays a list of some of the greats who have used them in their careers.

I had ChatGPT collect names that are typically found on the back of a pack of guitar strings and categorize them. Believe it or not, this is not a complete list. Some names appear more than once. Prepare to be amazed!

The Legends

• Eric Clapton
• Jimmy Page
• Paul McCartney
• Keith Richards
• Slash
• Jeff Beck
• Pete Townshend
• Buddy Guy
• Angus Young

The Virtuosos

• Steve Vai
• John Petrucci
• Steve Morse
• Eric Johnson
• Steve Lukather
• Tony MacAlpine
• Tosin Abasi
• Paul Gilbert

The Metal Gods

• Kirk Hammett
• James Hetfield
• Zakk Wylde
• Dimebag Darrell
• Marty Friedman
• John 5
• Synyster Gates
• Glenn Tipton

The Classic Rockers

• John Fogerty
• Elvis Costello
• Paul Stanley
• Ronnie Wood
• Keith Richards
• Joe Perry
• John Mayer
• Joe Walsh
• Steve Stevens
• Susan Tedeschi
• Gary Moore
• Johnny Hiland
• Tom DeLonge

The Blues Masters

• Derek Trucks
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Joe Walsh
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Joe Bonamassa
• Buddy Guy
• Eric Clapton

The Country Stars

• Brad Paisley
• Albert Lee
• Vince Gill
• Keith Urban
• Marty Stuart
• Kenny Chesney
• Andy McKee

Honors And Awards

Ernie Ball's contributions to the music industry have not gone unnoticed. Here's a list of some of the honors and awards he received:

• Vintage Guitar Magazine Hall of Fame (2008)
• Guitar Player Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award (1997)
• NAMM Milestone Award for 50 Years of Service in the Music Products Industry (2012)

Performance Career

While Ernie was a successful entrepreneur, he never lost his passion for performing. Throughout his life, he played in various bands and even released a few albums. His unique style and technique made him a sought-after session musician, and he contributed to numerous recordings over the years.

Discography

Ernie Ball's discography may not be extensive, but it's impactful. Here are some of his notable works:

• "The Whims of Instrumentals" (1961)
• "Ernie Rides Again" (1972)
• "String Along with Ernie" (1980)

The Legacy Lives On: Strings, Guitars, And Amps!

Ernie Ball's legacy continues to thrive. His strings are still the industry standard, and his contributions to the world of guitar are immeasurable!

In the early 1980s, the Ernie Ball company acquired Music Man, expanding into the production of high-quality guitars, basses, and amplifiers. Leo Fender designed the guitars, while Tom Walker built the amps.

And there you have it, folks! A tribute to the man, the myth, the legend—Ernie Ball! If you read all the way down to here, you have the heart of a guitar player, so practice-up or go out and buy yourself a guitar! 😎

Tell me what you think about Ernie Ball in the comments. What guitar strings do you use (if any)?

Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸

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