Acoustic Guitar Presents: Meet Brian Ball from Ernie Ball Strings

Everyone's invited!

Sign in to AcousticGuitarCommunity.com to chat with Brian Ball from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (PST) on May 26, 27, 28, and 29.

Brian Ball has worked for the family owned business Ernie Ball since the age of 13. Working at various posts, including string packaging, shipping, volume pedal assembly, artist relations, and now heading the firm’s marketing and creative programs, Brian has been in charge of a wide variety of new products and promotions Ernie Ball has executed.

Among those products he has shepherded to success during his tenure are the company's new Coated Acoustic Strings featuring a patented winding of reinforced titanium, Coated Electric Slinky Strings, Wonder Wipes, and a motorized stringwinder—the PowerPeg.

Ball also headed the recent packaging improvements Ernie Ball has implemented, including the hermetically sealed packs that ensure strings stay as fresh as the day they were made.

Brian Ball will be talking about the latest developments in strings manufacturing, painting a portrait of the market as he sees it, and, most importantly, answering your questions. And the best part is ... the best question of each day will win the questioner a year's supply of Ernie Ball Strings!

We hope to see you here then!

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Comment by ZHMMY HARPER on May 29, 2009 at 12:27pm

What a bummer, I posted two questions and they disappeared! I really needed those strings, too :-(

Comment by John Reiter on May 29, 2009 at 12:22pm

Brian,
I have used Ernie Ball Slinky's for years on my electric guitar. The tone of the strings is excellent and the cost makes it affordable to change strings often.
Now I am playing my acoustic guitars a couple of hours a day and use the Elixer Bronze wound strings which sound great but don't seem to last. Do you have a string you would recommend to try (replace) with this type of tone?
Hey, above all, keep up the great work on the electric strings.

Comment by Dane Sorensen on May 29, 2009 at 12:22pm

I've been using "lights" on my D18 and es335 for years but just learned recently that "scale" differences on various models have an impact on the relative "slinkyness" of the sting set. I've started using "regulars" on my 335 at the advice of a guitar tech. So far, I like the results although as expected, bends are a little more difficult. The guitar sure keeps its tuning better though. Could you elaborate on the scale length factor and how it affects chosing the right set?

Comment by ZHMMY HARPER on May 29, 2009 at 12:15pm

Hey Brian, I'm really trying to win those strings, so another question!

Surely you have done quality tests on string stretch. How long before a gig should we install strings, so as to cut down on retuning during the gig?

-Zhmmy

Comment by John Knox on May 29, 2009 at 12:09pm

G'day Brian from across the Pacific at Pigeon Bay - New Zealand.

I'm getting into fingerpicking a lot now on my OM bodied Takamine TAN 76 guitar. I'd like to know please what you would suggest as a suitable string that doesn't flex too much and at the same time doesn't feel and sound like fencing wire under my fingers on the fretboard. Thanks mate - best Regards John Knox

Comment by Robert Davis on May 29, 2009 at 12:05pm

Have a Godin Kingpin (archtop with P90) and wondering what strings would be best for vintage blues sound. Is there a particular type of string that works best with the pickup?

Comment by James Sleep on May 29, 2009 at 12:02pm

With the ever increasing technology applied to strings comes an increase in cost. Given the latest economic environment how do you see string manufacturing changing? Do you think technological improvements will slow down?

Comment by ZHMMY HARPER on May 29, 2009 at 11:50am

Brian, here is a question I've been trying to decide for years:

For acoustic and acoustic-electrics, what are the tonal quality differences between Nickel, Bronze, Phosphor-Bronze, Gold, etc.? On my Martin J-1 Jumbo I've been using Gold/Bronze in the guages 11-52. What are your recommendations for this particular guitar?

-Zhmmy

Comment by Albertini "Custom" Guitar Works on May 29, 2009 at 11:32am

Hello? is this the open chat window?
or is there a chat program being used that i am not seeing?

Comment by Albertini "Custom" Guitar Works on May 29, 2009 at 11:19am

As alumni of Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, we were instructed and encouraged to use Ernie Ball for superior strength "hex core" steel wire extrusions and Great tone. My good friend, master teacher and incredible guitar virtuoso Jeff Scheetz "Jeff Scheetz Band" formally endorses you too, his name is right on the packages! Thank You for going green and manufacturing in environmentally sustainable practice methods!!!
Namaste' :D<3
Daniel T. Albertini
Albertini "Custom" Guitar Works and Repair Services

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