Since 1984, Ernie Ball Music Man has stood as a beacon of quality and innovation in the guitar industry. Built in San Luis Obispo, California, every Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar is a testament to the harmonious blend of human artistry and cutting-edge technology. This commitment ensures unparalleled playability, stunning aesthetics, and consistent performance, making them instruments of choice for discerning musicians worldwide.
At the heart of every Ernie Ball Music Man guitar lies a dedication to premium materials and meticulous processes. The journey begins with hand-selected tonewoods, sourced from the world’s most reputable suppliers. Alder, ash, poplar, basswood, mahogany, and maple are chosen not only for their visual appeal but, more importantly, for their distinct tonal properties and grain consistency. Each piece is carefully weighed and kiln-dried, a crucial step in ensuring optimal moisture content and long-term stability, forming the resonant foundation of these exceptional instruments.
The creation process continues in the sanding shop, where skilled hands meticulously refine each neck and body. Multiple stages of hand sanding result in flawlessly smooth surfaces, essential for both the final finish and the ultimate playing experience. Necks are then expertly fitted to their bodies, treated with either a durable polyurethane finish or hand-rubbed with gunstock oil and wax, preserving the natural feel of the wood. Further enhancing playability, each fret is individually hand-leveled and crowned by seasoned craftsmen, guaranteeing exceptional comfort and effortless performance across the fretboard. The visual brilliance of Ernie Ball Music Man guitars is achieved through custom-mixed color coats applied by master painters, followed by three layers of high-gloss polyurethane. This state-of-the-art finish not only provides a luxurious sheen but also robust protection. Finally, before leaving the factory, every Ernie Ball Music Man guitar undergoes a rigorous setup and intonation process by trained technicians and is strung with Ernie Ball premium strings, ensuring it arrives ready to play straight out of the case.
The esteemed roster of musicians who choose Ernie Ball Music Man guitars speaks volumes about their quality and versatility. Iconic players across diverse genres, including John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Steve Lukather, St. Vincent, James Valentine, Jason Richardson, Hunter Hayes, and Dustin Kensrue, rely on these instruments to deliver their signature sounds.
Alt text: Inside the Ernie Ball Music Man USA factory, showcasing the blend of technology and handcraftsmanship in guitar production.
Signature Instruments for Artists Demanding Excellence
Ernie Ball Music Man has cultivated long-standing partnerships with visionary artists, resulting in groundbreaking signature models that push the boundaries of guitar design and technology.
The Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty guitar embodies this collaborative spirit. Born from a 20-year partnership, the Majesty reflects Petrucci’s relentless pursuit of performance, playability, and forward-thinking design. Its ergonomic contours and balanced construction provide unparalleled access to all frets, while strategically placed controls and advanced digital pickup switching offer seamless sonic transitions. The Majesty stands as a testament to innovation, versatility, and modern aesthetics, defining the essence of a John Petrucci signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar.
Alt text: Close-up of the Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty John Petrucci signature model, highlighting its innovative design and ergonomic features.
The Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III represents the evolutionary journey of Steve Lukather’s signature instruments, spanning over 28 years of refinement. Developed in direct response to Lukather’s demanding touring requirements, the Luke III incorporates a mahogany tone block, an onboard 12db boost, a stunning A++ figured maple top, and a roasted birdseye maple neck. These enhancements transform this signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar into a powerhouse of tone and versatility. Equipped with Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings, the Luke III is available in a range of colors and options, offering exceptional playability and sonic richness.
Alt text: The Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III Steve Lukather signature guitar, showcasing its maple top and distinctive headstock design.
Since joining Ernie Ball Music Man in 1985, guitar virtuoso Steve Morse has contributed to the lineup with his signature model, a cornerstone since 1987. The Ernie Ball Music Man Steve Morse signature guitar, featuring a poplar double-cut body, custom Dimarzio pickups, and versatile switching options, caters to a wide spectrum of musical styles, from rock and country to jazz and beyond. The Y2D variant elevates the aesthetic with a maple top, while retaining the same tonal flexibility that defines the Morse series of Ernie Ball Music Man guitars.
Alt text: Ernie Ball Music Man Steve Morse Y2D signature guitar in a vibrant finish, emphasizing its double-cut body and maple top.
Albert Lee, a celebrated guitarist known for his “chicken pickin'” style, has been a part of the Ernie Ball Music Man family since 1971. His signature Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee model, born from a late 1980s prototype, stands out with its unique design and functional brilliance. Perfectly suited to Lee’s lightning-fast technique, the Albert Lee signature model is available in two configurations: the SSS model with a swamp ash body and the HH model with an Okoume body for a richer, deeper tone, offering options for diverse playing styles.
Alt text: The unique body shape of the Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee signature guitar, highlighting its distinctive design and hardware.
Annie Clark, known as St. Vincent, collaborated with Ernie Ball Music Man to create her signature model, designed for comfort, lightweight feel, and complete tonal flexibility. The Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent signature guitar is crafted from lightweight Okoume, featuring a roasted maple neck and rosewood or ebony fretboard. Its gold foil pickups deliver a versatile palette of tones, making it an inspiring instrument for musicians seeking both distinctive style and sonic range.
Alt text: The Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent signature model, showcasing its unique body shape and retro-modern aesthetic.
The Ernie Ball Music Man Axis guitar is engineered for hard rock performance. Featuring dual DiMarzio humbuckers mounted on a lightweight basswood body with a figured maple top, the Axis delivers the quintessential hard rock sound. A locking Floyd Rose tremolo system ensures tuning stability even under extreme whammy bar use. Completing the package is an asymmetric hard rock maple neck with 22 frets, making the Axis a potent instrument for high-energy playing.
Alt text: The Ernie Ball Music Man Axis guitar, emphasizing its double humbucker configuration and Floyd Rose tremolo system for hard rock styles.
Modern Classic Electric Guitars: Reimagining Heritage
The Legacy Begins
The story of Ernie Ball Music Man is intertwined with the legacy of Leo Fender. Following the sale of Fender to CBS in 1965, Fender’s non-compete agreement paved the way for a new chapter. In 1972, alongside two ex-Fender employees, Leo Fender launched Music Man. The original MM Cutlass and Stingray guitars emerged in 1977, drawing visual parallels to the Fender Stratocaster and Jazzmaster respectively. However, despite their vintage-inspired aesthetics, these initial models, produced from 1977 to 1980, faced challenges. Their overly bright tonality, combined with features like unstable three-bolt necks, small frets, and heavy ash bodies, hindered their popularity among guitarists.
Alt text: Leo Fender with an early Music Man instrument, highlighting the brand’s foundational connection to guitar innovation.
Evolution of Classics
The contemporary Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass and StingRay guitars honor the vintage styling of Leo’s original designs while incorporating significant modern improvements. Updated vintage-spec electronics, a refined tremolo system, and lightweight alder bodies address the shortcomings of the earlier models. The ergonomic 4+2 headstock, designed for straight string pull and superior tuning stability, alongside meticulous craftsmanship throughout, positions these modern classics as a perfect fusion of vintage aesthetics and contemporary playability.
Alt text: The Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass modern classic guitar, showcasing its Stratocaster-inspired design and updated features.
Alt text: The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay modern classic guitar, highlighting its Jazzmaster-esque body shape and contemporary upgrades.
Artist Series Guitars: Personalized Excellence
The Ernie Ball Music Man Artist Series showcases a curated collection of standard EBMM models, each customized in collaboration with Ernie Ball Music Man endorsed artists. These instruments begin as stock models and evolve into personalized versions, tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the artists, while also appealing to a wider range of players. The Artist Series guitars retain the core DNA of the standard models but offer unique pickup configurations, custom electronics, specialized hardware, and exclusive finishes, providing enhanced individuality beyond stock specifications.
Alt text: A selection of Ernie Ball Music Man Artist Series guitars, illustrating the range of custom options and artist-inspired designs.
Ernie Ball Music Man guitars offer a diverse spectrum of instruments, each with distinct specifications, options, and characteristics to inspire any musical aspiration and suit any playing style. From the selection of tonewoods to the final setup, every Ernie Ball Music Man guitar embodies a commitment to detail and quality. The brand takes pride in each instrument that leaves their USA factory, representing their unwavering dedication to crafting guitars that are not just great, but perfect in every detail. Because at Ernie Ball Music Man, they understand that the pursuit of the perfect guitar lies in the details.
