Meet Brian Ball from Ernie Ball Strings!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dale6122jr on May 29, 2009 at 11:29am

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you! I would like to get your recommendation on a a good set of strings for electric jazz guitar. I currently play a Gretsch, which is not known for jazz, though I love the guitar. Also, for acoustic fingerstyle, I use Kevin Ryan Acoustic Phosphorous Bronze (True Light Gauge) strings on my Martin acoustic. I really like their sound, but do you have something comparable?

Thanks again,

Dale

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ball on June 1, 2009 at 6:26pm

Hey Dale,

You got it, this forum is great and I plan to frequent more often!

I prefer a slightly warmer sound than for an electric jazz guitar. Personally I love our Classic Pure Nickel slinky line for jazzy stuff. They were originally the benchmark of the industry, until nickel roundwound became the rage. I think our Phosphor Slinky Acoustics would be comparable to try out. If you do pick up a set, let me know how they compare as Im not familiar with Kevin Ryan Acoustic Strings.

Thanks,

Brian

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Permalink Reply by Kim Butler on May 29, 2009 at 11:57am

Brian

Thanks for answering my questions a few days ago. I have a green question. Could there be any uses for old stings. I assume all of us throw them out. Could they be recycled in any way ? Thanks Kim Butler Wheeling WV

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Permalink Reply by Richard W on May 29, 2009 at 6:40pm

Very insightful question! I'm all ears if someone has a good idea...

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ball on June 1, 2009 at 6:26pm

Yes the problem is detaching the wrap wire from the core wire. We're looking into ways of doing this now : )

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Permalink Reply by Joe Luttwak on May 29, 2009 at 12:00pm

Hi Brian,

Joe from Blackbird Guitars here. We've tried different brands of coated strings on our carbon fiber acoustics, but they all have pluses and minuses. One of my peeves is fraying from heavy strumming. Doesn't seem like yours would have this problem because they are coated with enamel. Is that right?

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ball on June 1, 2009 at 6:28pm

Hey Joe,

Great to meet you! You shouldn't have any fraying with our coated acoustics. The enamel should prevent that from happening. Send me an email when you can - brian@ernieball.com

Brian

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Permalink Reply by Brian L Sutcliffe on May 29, 2009 at 4:05pm

Hi Brian,
This is Brian Sutcliffe from northern idaho.
My question has to do with string diameter and limpness/stiffness (dont know the technical terms here). Differing stiffnesses change the effective vibrating string lengths so I am looking for the limpest strings that I can find. Both in steel and nylon. The other question is almost the same thing but different. It has been my observation that strings are not alway offered in the most "correct" mass/diameter for the string lengths of instruments. That being said, do you or anyone you know of offer custom diameters or a string grinding service for oddballs like myself?
I enjoy showing off my work, if you would give me a private address I would send you some pics of the instruments which I make. I think you would be pleased at what you see. brianlsutcliffe@yahoo.com
Have a nice day
Brian

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ball on June 1, 2009 at 6:31pm

Hey Brian,

Thanks for the questions. My email is brian@ernieball.com

With regards to stiffness vs. supple you definitely dont want a stiff rigid string. When holding the string from the ball end are, the string should be fairly limp. We put a huge emphasis on this.

I look forward to seeing your instruments!

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Permalink Reply by Richard W on May 29, 2009 at 6:38pm

Brian, I play a Taylor guitar in my church band every Sunday morning. I've been playing guitar for over 15 years and have to admit I've never really thought much about strings (just went for the cheapest). Now that I'm maturing I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing something by not having the right strings. I looked online to buy strings last week and found some information about strings, but have to admit there seems to be a lot to know. Appreciate any insights you have....Why are some strings so much more expensive than others? Do the strings that are coated dull the stings faster? Does freezing the strings really make a difference or is that marketing? Thanks for your insights. I'd like to buy strings in the future feeling a little more informed. Appreciate the opportunity to hear from you brother!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Ball on June 1, 2009 at 6:34pm

Hey Richard,

Thanks for the questions. There are many subtle differences in strings. The Core to Wrap ratio, and tension specs often differ between manufacturers. Some strings use different raw material vendors. Some ball ends our cheaper than others (ours are from switzerland and are exceptional : ). Some strings have more processes than others (coating, titanium reinforcement), some packaging costs more than others (to prevent rust, corrosion) etc.
There are a handful of things companies can do to ensure a great, fresh set of strings - and those things cost money to do. So its a trade off like anything else regarding consumable goods.

Hope that helps!

Brian

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Permalink Reply by Dan Gabel, Editor & Group Publisher on June 17, 2009 at 5:39pm

Hello folks,
Well, we have a transcript of two of the live chats from May when Brian Ball joined us on the Community. They're pasted below, and appear as they appeared in the Chat window, meaning that it can be a little difficult to follow. But stick with it--there were some good discussions.

Meet Brian Ball Event – Day 1

Brad Kozak
Brian, what made you guys stop making leather guitar straps - I used to work for my Dad's music store/studio in Shreveport, and our biggest seller in accessories were your leather straps.

Brian
Brad - you guys were good at selling straps!
the leather EB ones were my personal faves but they didnt sell
and minimums were really high
to keep the cost down

Brad Kozak
We had about 40 guitar students per week. Most needed straps. ;-)

Brian
Our newest products are the PowerPeg (motorized string winder), coated electric and acoustics, super locks, wonder wipes, wah pedal.
Im sure Im missing a few.

FusionArtist
Powerpeg sweet

Bob Quinn
Power peg looks like a real useful thing to me...I plan on buying one soon

FusionArtist
Dido


Larry Edgar
Brian, curious what you would recommend for 12 string Tak, rhythm player, rock/fold type sound


Acoustic Guitar
Hi Brian, could you please check out the forum. There are a few questions in there too.
http://acousticguitarclub.ning.com/forum/topics/meet-brian-ball-fro... Thanks : )

Brian
Larry - what wood is your 12 Tak? Spruce?

Larry Edgar
it is, yes

Philip Schrock
earthwood strings, how do they compare to Matin 4200 string. i 'd love to try something new.

Brian
Do you like a bright snappy sound, or warm vibrant

like a little warmer. I have playing Pearse and the are a bit bright

AG I will jump to the forum asap

Philip Schrock
i'm playing folk and Bluegrass

Brian
I would recommend tring the 2153 12 String Light Phosphors that we offer

They should be available at most retailers and if not you can contact me after and I can connect you directly

thnx BB! stop by the store tonight!

great, thanks!

Brian
Earthwood strings are my personal fave
That was for Phillip

FusionArtist
What is the heavyest acoustic string for the six string.

Brian
they are bright and snappy which balance my mahogany martin acoustic I play with a lot

Heaviest standard acoustic is 13-56

Thank You, Has the earthwood formula changed any in the past 10 years?

No, Earthwoods, Slinkys, etc have maintained the same core/wrap ratio and tension specs. that my grandpa formulated

Paul Ciampaglia
Brian I have a Adamas W597 and I like a warm bass tone what would you recomend for strings?

Phillip Schrock
i play a johhny cash martin

Hey Paul, Adamas like Ovations would sounds great with Phosphor coateds or uncoateds to get a warm, clear bassy tone

Thank You

FusionArtist
Earthwood seemed to have about forty five maybe sixty hours worth until dead sound tensel maxed any improvments in the future?

durabilty wise the coateds should be the improvement......everyones sweat and chemical make up is different so diff results will apply

James Abernethy
How are you comming with classical strings?

Brian
great question james

We're working on a few things in house that are pretty darn cool on the classical end

I cant divulge too much yet, but stay tuned

James Abernethy
I'd love to try them.

FusionArtist
Are you doing any clinics soon?

Hopefully Winter NAMM 2010

Hopefully see you there

Brad Kozak
any recommendations for strings for an old Airline baritone uke?

Unfortunately all the clinics we have lined up are centered around the Music Man brand

Brad - irline Baritone Uke - Very cool

FusionArtist
Who is your newest talent signed artist?:-D

Brad Kozak
It's in great shape, too. Even has the original chipboard case.

String recommendations for the Uke would by our Nylon singles

Brian
other manufacturers make uke sets, unfortunately we don’t

very cool instrument though.

Brian
Fusion - Joe Bonamassa recently signed with Ernie Ball, and we are thrilled to have him

What a great player

Bob Quinn
Have to run...Thank you Brian, Dan, and friends!

Thanks Bob!

cheers!

Clink

Click

Clink smash oopps,

Headed over to forum to answer, go ahead and post questions be back in a few

david
I am a casual player and seldom change out the strings on my flat top. Looking at the new coated strings and wondering if I could really tell the difference with the uneducated ear.. your thoughts?

Brian
David - We hope not. We designed the coated sets to sound as close to uncoateds as possible. We use an in house acoustic lab which helps track decay, resonance, vibrations etc.

if you can tell a difference, props to your ears.

FusionArtist
I checked out some youtube and Joe Bonamassa seems to be a nice addition to your family.

david
Is the difference in coated strings then "play'ability"?

Because our strings are coated with an enamel over the wrap - they will feel and sound a lot like an uncoated set by design. If the entire string is covered with the coating then you will feel and hear a distinct difference

via uncoateds

Larry Edgar
on the proper care & feeding of Ball strings....is simply a dry wipe down after playing OK, or is it better another way?

FusionArtist
WOW Brian you seem to be very popular here, we all look up to you and resect your product for sure.

Brian
Proper care - start by washing your hands, fingers. Then after your done playing you can use a variety of products to wipe the strings down. I worked on engineering the string cleaner wonder wipes as they give you the ability to grab the entire string keeping your strings as fresh as possible

thnx again Brian

the fretboard conditioner is an orange oil base with a combination of linseed, jojoba oil, and orange oil

Glenn Barker
Brian, Any plans for producing strings for orchestral instruments (mmm...what's happening with fiddle strings¿)

Harry Smith
I have heard that there are only a few real manufacturers of guitar strings, and they make many brands. Assuming that is true, do the various "brands" dictate to the manufacturers the specs and material they want used when making their "brands?"

Brian
Hey Glenn - Thanks for chatting. unfortunately we dont have any plans for producing strings for orchestral instruments. If we get enough demand that could always change

I've heard the same rumors...even at retailers we visit say "I heard Ernie Ball doesn't make strings"

That is a big misconception.

There are a few companies that do produce strings on a private label basis.

We aren't one of them, as I said earlier we aren't even aggressively in the OEM market do to capacity meeting our consumer demand

As far as how many companies make strings, I cant really say as most of our competitors probably wouldnt allow me in their facilities

Harry Smith
Thanks for the detailed response. I am looking forward to trying your strings next!

Larry Edgar
Brian, thanks for your time...this has been cool. For the AG moderators, anyway this chat can be archived for review later?

Thanks a lot for joining us, Brian! I'm looking forward to continuing the chat tomorrow through Friday, same place and time. Great discussion!

No, Thank you guys for joining. Great questions all around. I will be back tomorrow through the rest of the week!


Meet Brian Ball Event – Day 4
50 online

Clark Elison
Someone mentioned recycleing old guitar strings the other day and wondered why it is not done. Todays selling price for composite metal scrap is high at 24 cents a pound when buying it by the ton. I wonder how many strings are in a ton.

Rob Welch
recycling strings is tricky because of the extra material. for plain strings, it's much easier because the only foreign material is the ball end. With wound strings, it's much more difficult because you have to remove the windings and there's... ...no effective way to do it.
There are string companies who recylce all of their scrap strings before they're even wrapped. You should see it. It looks like steel wool. Huge boxes sitting on pallets filled with 5" long strands of steel.

Keith de Sousa
anyone ever used a guitar string [or piece of a guitar string ] for something other than playing the guitar [i had to use a .007 to clean my bird bath spout nozzle] :-D

Rob Welch
Let's see... Tattoos, hanging pieces of art, little tiny guitar string sculptures...

Douglas mac callum
hey, while thinking of questions about strings..where did the name "cat gut" come from and is it really some sort of animal by product/ and is it stillused?

Monty Seaford
Brian, Are you part of the class action suit against guitar string makers? When does that start up for real? And Brian, what is the advantage of your coated strings in comparison to others, like Markley or Elixir?

Brian
Hi Monty, Cannot really comment on that! There has been some discussion about that and we are aware....Thanks

Albertini Custom Guitar Works
I have been a member of AGC for a long time but had to quickly remake an account bc I could not find or remember my original passwords...

Dale6122jr
oops -I posted this on the AG website, but perhaps you can address here? Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you! I would like to get your recommendation on a a good set of strings for electric jazz guitar. I currently play a Gretsch, which is not known for jazz.

Brian
Monty, Our Coated strings use a micro thin enamel the addition of a Titanium wrap around the ball end and thin coating on the plain string is a triple benefit that some manufacturers do not offer. We wanted a string that feels and sounds natural. I think we have it!

Steve
I purchased a set of the new Ball coated slinky's but noticed the light gauge is different from the elixir gauge strings I currently use and am reluctant to switch them out. Is their any issues reagrding slight variations in gauge? My guitar is aTaylor and th manufacturer recommends Elixir. I use your flatwounds but put together heavier gauges myself for my rock/fusion instrumentals. Love em, makes for a quasi baritone sound through my custom designed amps

Brian
I think there is a slight difference on the med light set. they use a 53 and we use a 54. Should not be a problem with tension as the set gauges are very close

Steve
Ok, thanks! How do you fel the low end sounds on the new slinky's, I am looking for a little more bass?

Brian
We know Taylor very well. We did most all of our testing on taylor guitar and they work wonderful. they had a agreement with Elixar to use their strings for oem

Albertini Custom Guitar Works
Brian have you all stuck with the same alloy of your hex core or did that change, im sure for the better if at all?

Brian
Thanks Albertini! We pioneered the custom gauge process back in the 60's!!!!

Albertini
that long huh??? wow what was your original affiliations may i ask?

Brian
we have not changed the Hex core! Still use the same steel and ballends for many years even on the new Titaniums...

Albertini
I cannot wait to give them a major workout! My glasses "frames" are also titanium just about indestructable now had them for over 12 years!
I cannot imagine what a difficult process to be able to extrude such thin titanium that has sparked many a major fire!

Brian
Steve the new acoustics use the same low end gauges as the uncoated sets...our largest acoustic goes up to 56 and electric it goes to .74

Albertini
Hey Brian would you all by chance be planning on having a booth at www.wvfest.com as well?

Brian
albertini the titanium is a wrap around the ball end we have the wire drawn for us but it is not used on the wrap!

Monty Seaford
What is the major tone difference between your acoustic strings and other brands?
I also have a Taylor and am running through an Ultrasound PRO 250 acoustic amp. I LOVE the amp, and I highly recommend it to any acoustic player (I have tried them all and the Ultrasound kicks ass!).

Brian
Thanks Steve! Please let us know!

Steve
Whats the best way to give you feedabck, through the website?

Albertini
Yes I too use and endorse the Utrasounds and love em to death! Toured all last year with them and still going strong!
Thank you so much AGC for bring us this great opportunity to connect! Namaste'

Brian
hi again Monty...Our process(recipe) is a little different than other companies...Not trying to imply better....We use protection on all 6 strings and use the best raw material we can get our hands on....Hour by hour testing and QC goes on daily

Brian
Hi Albertini Sound Good! I will check out you link after the chat!

Albertini
There is a wonderful program at Winfield Walnut Valley International Instrument Competitions called Second String Project where we all drop off used sets of guitar strings for 3rd world countries and regions of less fortunate so to speak. excellent, Brian. I am also an avid "Greenie" recycle everything possible and reuse

Keith de Sousa
Big Kudos for AG for this opportunity ‘chat thread’…..Brian, this is the third/final day of this ‘chat thread’, has any feedback helped you [if any] in the future of string design ? What areas ? Quality-control? Packaging? Manufacturing ?...t

Brian Ball
Thats great! I have heard of that where some musician can sets at no cost even used they can still make them work and play on an entire string set since strings are non existance in some 3rd world areas Good Job!

Albertini
well SL secondlife is working out very well, Im "Lightsight Braveheart" on youtube as well

Albertini
danielamusic@sbcglobal.net

www.myspace.com/albertiniguitarworks

Brian
We really will continue to look forward on the design process and take a lot of comments into consideration...We will always look at new packageing Ideas to help the enviroment ect. New Alloys are always on our mind and were seeking out new material

Albertini
Im not going to go name dropping but I have worked one on one with the finest known guitarists on the planet and to say I have payed my dues is quite appropriate at this point...Still learn something new everyday

Brian Ball
daily...Stay tuned as we enjoy what we do and enjoy hearing from our customers and players!

Brian Ball
Albertini thats great to hear! Would like to hear you online after the chat! Thanks for your links!

Albertini
so anyway Brian I would love to formally endorse your company on SL as well as work out something in RL real life along with my good friend Jeff Scheetz

Albertini
Excellent that is great ty

Brian
Can you send all your info to us?

Kevin@ernieball.com and Derek@ernieball.com
if you can there are 3 of us who check out the press info!

Glenn Baker
xcuse if my questions have been asked before:

Albertini
Excellent, on SL I endorse my master instructors designs through then "Alembic" Rick Turner and OD "Overdrive Designs" Orthos

Glenn Baker
Brian, Are you going to prepare a definitive article on strings for the AG reader?

Albertini
If I can be of further assistance to you all please do not leave reserve and feel free to contact me

Brian
Hi Glenn, If AG wants us to I am sure we can do that!

Brian
Albertini Its been a pleasure talking today!

Albertini
I greatly look forward to soon chatting in the near future again! My pleasure indeed, ty again AGC for hosting this wonderful opportunity!!! Peace and Love, I have to attend to several clients now and keep chipping away at mountains before me!

Ron Kopland
HI, I had a question about electric guitar strings. I noticed that I don't see a set of electrics with a wound G string. Was this more of a player driven decision, or something else?

Brian
Ron we do have a set but they are not as in demand as our slinkys....

Albertini
Oh excellent that you brought that up Ron!!! I too use wrapped G's and most of them are about maxed out at full tention. I would love to hear Brians comments here on that

Brian
the custom gauge nickle sets use wound g and have become a little more popular than in the past as used by mainly jazz guys

Albertini
My new guitar designs are going to use some really radical gauges when i further refine my vision, I would be happy to share

Brian
the custom gauge sets run 11-52 12-54 and 13-56 all with wound g you can get them off our site if you need to find them...

douglas Mac Cullum
my friends and I still want to know the origin of the name catgut...what was it made out of...did you guys ever use it and is ther something in the future other than nylon?

Ron
Thanks. Totally did not see those on the site. Brain check.

Albertini
yeah i cannot remember if you all offer composite nylon strings?

Douglas
Brian do you see the question?

Brian Ball
cat gut strings were used a long time ago...Not really from cats though intestines from Goats I think? But used on cellos and instruments of that nature....

Douglas
what about modern day material /research ect?

Brian
Nylon strings were the preferred material after awhile cheaper and easier to use. Has been the industry standard for years now.....We have not ventured into classical strings as much but I am sure we will....There are newer developments

Albertini
great to hear, i play flamencoexque spontaneous compositions

Brian
in regards to material but we have not tried anything just yet! I love classical guitars though...

Douglas
yea mabe NASA has some stuff hidden on one of their shelves

jrmc52
Brian, if string breakdown begins with corrosion of the core, have you tried coating the core and then wrapping it? Double coated for the wound strings.

Brian Ball
jr we did try that early on but we found coating the core was chewing up the plating making the wrap wire difficult to adhere to the hex....The wrap would slip which is detrimental to process of a good sounding string

Albertini
seems to me that atmospheric oxygen would have a really hard time diffusing into there being able to reach the core anyway with such tightly wrapped coated windings?


Brian Ball
having the wrap wire coated and would to our spec provides enough protection to keep the core lasting longer.....You can really see how it works under a microscope the barrier it provides

James Harris
What about playing with the metalurgy of the core looking for less corrosion with good tone?

Brian
HI Guys Its been a fun week! I hope everyone has a great Weekend!

Albertini
danielamusic@sbcglobal.net and or guitardan72@ymail.com

Brian
Hi James, We have tried different material for the core but none has been as effective as steel since it is most ferris!

joel
what strings would you recommend for a beginner that would be easier to make barre chords (and the F chord)? i have a baby taylor. thanks!

James Harris
I meant alloys.

Albertini
hey Brian one other thing that brings up is have you all tried to super magnetize the core to provide additionally amplified tonal colorations or is that just too much? I use high "gauss" healing bracelets and I truly do notice my joints improving

Brian
the core uses tin plated steel...While we have tested stailess steel among others we found the tensile strenght to not be as high

Brian
when you adjust for tensil strenght then you start to lose you ferris content....The relationship has to be correct.

Dan
Brian, I want to thank you once again for being here all week. Great discussions each day, I think, and you definitely enlightened us about string technology in general, and Ernie Ball's unique approach. I appreciate you taking the time.

James Harris
Thanks for doing the R&D. What do you have by way of half-wound strings. I play a vintage Ricky slide and don't like the tone of flat-wound or the noise of wound.

Brian
Thanks Dan! I wish we could go on! Its been a pleasure and thanks to you guys once again!

Dan
And thanks to all you Community members who made this a successful first run at a live event. We'll have more!

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