Since 1984, Ernie Ball Music Man has stood as a beacon of unparalleled playability, aesthetic appeal, and consistent quality in guitar manufacturing. This legacy is built upon a philosophy that harmoniously blends meticulous hand-craftsmanship with the precision of advanced robotic technology. By mastering this delicate balance throughout various stages of production, Ernie Ball Music Man has refined the formula for creating some of the most exceptional guitars available, instruments celebrated for both their superior playability and rich sound. Central to this pursuit of perfection is the enduring partnership with visionary guitarist John Petrucci, whose relentless pursuit of innovation has significantly shaped the landscape of modern guitar design at Ernie Ball Music Man.
At the heart of their San Luis Obispo, California factory, the journey of each Ernie Ball Music Man guitar begins with the selection of premium tonewoods, sourced from the world’s most reputable suppliers. Alder, ash, poplar, basswood, mahogany, and maple bodies are individually assessed and chosen for their resonant tonal properties, consistent grain patterns, and inherent natural beauty. Furthermore, each body and neck undergoes a rigorous hand-selection process based on weight and is carefully kiln-dried to ensure minimal moisture content, guaranteeing maximum stability and longevity of the instrument.
In the sanding workshop, the necks and bodies are treated with meticulous care, undergoing multiple stages of hand sanding. This process is crucial for achieving flawless finishes that enhance playability and comfort. Each guitar neck is then expertly matched to its body, finished with either a durable polyurethane coating or hand-rubbed and polished with gunstock oil and wax, allowing for the natural tactile experience of the wood to be preserved. Skilled craftsmen meticulously level and crown each fret by hand, ensuring ultimate playing ease and comfort across the entire fretboard. The painting process involves master painters applying an exclusive custom mixed color coat, followed by three layers of high gloss polyurethane to the bodies, resulting in a state-of-the-art, luxurious finish. Finally, before each instrument leaves the factory, trained setup technicians expertly adjust and intonate it, ensuring it arrives at local stores ready to play with a fresh set of Ernie Ball premium strings.
The reputation of Ernie Ball Music Man guitars is solidified by the countless iconic guitarists across diverse musical genres who choose to play them. Among these luminaries, John Petrucci stands out as a pivotal figure, alongside Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Steve Lukather, St Vincent, James Valentine, Jason Richardson, and Hunter Hayes, among many others.
Instruments Crafted for Guitarists Who Demand Perfection, Inspired by John Petrucci
The collaboration between Ernie Ball Music Man and John Petrucci spans over two decades, a testament to a shared vision of pushing the boundaries of guitar design and technology. This partnership has yielded some of the most groundbreaking instruments in the guitar world, most notably the Majesty electric guitar. The Majesty is the embodiment of John Petrucci’s unwavering demands for peak performance, exceptional playability, and a design aesthetic inspired by high-performance racing. It represents the pinnacle of ergonomic design and balance, offering unparalleled access to both upper and lower frets. The Majesty also features strategically placed in-line control knobs for ease of use and innovative digital pickup switching capabilities, effectively eliminating any delay when changing pickups. The Majesty is the quintessential John Petrucci signature model, showcasing cutting-edge technology, versatile performance capabilities, and a sleek, modern sensibility that resonates with discerning guitarists worldwide.
The Luke III Ball Family Reserve guitar marks the next stage in the evolution of design that began with the original Luke model nearly three decades ago. Developed in close collaboration with Steve Lukather, this signature guitar directly addresses the performance requirements of a touring musician. Key refinements include the addition of a mahogany tone block, an on-board 12 db boost, a visually stunning A++ figured maple top, and a roasted birdseye maple neck. These enhancements have elevated the Luke III into an instrument of superior tonal richness and versatility. Equipped with Ernie Ball Super Slinky electric guitar strings, the Luke series is available in a variety of colors and configurations, celebrated for its exceptional playability and sonic range.
Steve Morse, the virtuoso guitarist known for his work with Deep Purple and his own instrumental projects, joined the Ernie Ball Music Man family in 1985. Since 1987, the Steve Morse signature electric guitar has been a cornerstone of the Ernie Ball Music Man signature lineup. Featuring poplar double-cut bodies paired with custom Dimarzio pickups and sophisticated pickup switching systems, the Morse guitars are remarkably versatile, suited for genres ranging from Rock and Country to Jazz and beyond. The Y2D model offers a maple top variant, providing the same tonal versatility with enhanced visual appeal.
Albert Lee, a celebrated guitarist inducted into Guitar Player’s Gallery of Greats, has been a valued member of the Ernie Ball Music Man family since 1971. In the late 1980s, Albert received a Music Man prototype that would later become the Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee signature model. Distinguished by its unique design, form, and function, the Albert Lee signature model is perfectly tailored to Albert’s renowned lightning-fast “chicken pickin'” style, admired by many influential guitarists. The Albert Lee is available in two main configurations: the SSS model with three single-coil pickups and a swamp ash body, and the HH model featuring two humbucking pickups and an Okoume body for a richer, deeper tone.
The St. Vincent signature model is the brainchild of Annie Clark, known as St. Vincent, designed to inspire musicians seeking a comfortable, lightweight guitar with comprehensive tonal flexibility. Crafted from the finest available materials, this unique electric guitar is ergonomically shaped to fit her playing style and personal aesthetic. The St Vincent signature electric guitar features a lightweight Okoume body, a roasted maple neck, and either rosewood or ebony fretboards. Equipped with gold foil pickups, it offers a wide spectrum of tonal options suitable for any musical context.
The Axis guitar is engineered for high-energy performance, featuring two DiMarzio humbucker pickups mounted on a lightweight basswood body with a figured maple top. This tonewood combination delivers the quintessential hard rock sound. A locking MM Floyd Rose tremolo system allows for extensive tremolo use while maintaining exceptional tuning stability. The asymmetric hard rock maple neck with 22 frets and a 3-way toggle switch completes the key features of this high-performance instrument.
Modern Classic Electric Guitars: Honoring Guitar Heritage
Every Great Company Has its Roots in Guitar Innovation.
The history of Ernie Ball Music Man is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Leo Fender. Following the sale of Fender to CBS in 1965, Leo Fender entered into a non-compete agreement, restricting his involvement in guitar design for a decade.
However, Leo Fender’s passion for innovation led to the founding of Music Man in approximately 1972, alongside two former Fender employees. The original MM Cutlass and Stingray guitars emerged in 1977. The Cutlass design was clearly inspired by the iconic Fender Stratocaster, while the Stingray guitar bore a resemblance to the popular Fender Jazzmaster. These models were featured in product catalogs from 1977 to 1980. Despite their innovative origins, they were not widely embraced by guitarists, largely due to their overly bright tonal characteristics. Additional factors contributing to their lack of popularity included unstable three-bolt neck joints, small frets, and heavy ash bodies.
Electric Guitar Evolution: Updates for Today’s Players
The contemporary Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass and StingRay guitars pay homage to the vintage styling and aesthetic of Leo Fender’s original models, while incorporating significant modern improvements. Updated vintage-spec electronics, a remarkably smooth tremolo system, and lightweight alder bodies represent welcome refinements in these modern iterations. The ergonomic 4+2 headstock design with straight string pull enhances tuning stability, and flawless overall craftsmanship positions these modern classics as a perfect fusion of vintage aesthetics with contemporary playability and construction.
Artist Series Guitars: John Petrucci and Beyond
The Ernie Ball Music Man artist series collection is a celebration of collaboration, showcasing standard EBMM models customized in partnership with endorsed Ernie Ball Music Man artists like John Petrucci. Through these collaborations, stock models are transformed into bespoke instruments tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the artists, often appealing to a wider range of players and guitar enthusiasts. Artist series models retain the fundamental characteristics of the standard models but feature unique pickup configurations, custom electronics, specialized hardware, and exclusive finishes not typically found on standard production models.
The extensive range of Ernie Ball Music Man guitars offers a diverse array of specifications, options, and features to cater to any musical style or performance aspiration. Ernie Ball Music Man takes immense pride in every guitar and bass that leaves their factory. Each instrument is a culmination of their dedication to crafting the ideal guitar, down to the finest detail. Because at Ernie Ball Music Man, they understand that the distinction between a great guitar and the perfect guitar lies in the details, a philosophy deeply shared and advanced through their ongoing work with artists like John Petrucci.
