Since 1984, Ernie Ball Music Man has stood as a beacon of quality and innovation in the world of musical instruments, particularly renowned for crafting exceptional Ernie Ball Bass Guitars. The commitment to achieving unparalleled playability, stunning aesthetics, and consistent performance is at the heart of their manufacturing philosophy. By meticulously blending time-honored hand-craftsmanship with cutting-edge robotic technology, Ernie Ball Music Man has mastered the art of creating some of the finest playing and sounding bass guitars available today. This dedication is evident in every ernie ball bass guitar that leaves their California factory.
At the Ernie Ball Music Man facility in San Luis Obispo, California, the journey of each ernie ball bass guitar begins with the selection of premium tonewoods. Sourced from the world’s most reputable suppliers, these woods—including alder, ash, poplar, basswood, mahogany, and maple—are chosen for their distinct tonal properties, consistent grain patterns, and inherent beauty. Each piece is individually assessed and matched, ensuring that every ernie ball bass guitar body and neck starts with the highest quality foundation. Further enhancing stability and resonance, each wood component undergoes a meticulous hand-selection process for weight and is carefully kiln-dried to achieve optimal moisture content.
The pursuit of perfection continues in the sanding shop, where Ernie Ball Music Man necks and bodies undergo multiple stages of hand sanding. This meticulous process ensures flawlessly smooth surfaces, crucial for maximizing playability and achieving the signature feel of an ernie ball bass guitar. Each neck is then expertly matched to its body and finished according to the model’s specifications. Options include durable polyurethane finishes or hand-rubbed gunstock oil and wax, the latter preserving the natural tactile experience of the wood. Attention to detail extends to the fretwork; every fret on an ernie ball bass guitar is individually hand-leveled and crowned by skilled artisans, guaranteeing ultimate playing comfort and precision. The visual appeal is equally important. Ernie Ball Music Man’s master painters utilize exclusive, custom-mixed color coats, followed by three layers of high-gloss polyurethane applied to the bodies, resulting in a luxurious, state-of-the-art finish that exemplifies the quality of each ernie ball bass guitar. Finally, before an ernie ball bass guitar is ready to inspire musicians worldwide, trained setup technicians meticulously adjust and intonate each instrument, ensuring it arrives at your local store ready to play, strung with a fresh set of Ernie Ball premium electric bass strings.
Ernie Ball Bass Guitars: The Choice of Professionals
The exceptional quality and playability of ernie ball bass guitars have made them the instrument of choice for a diverse array of iconic bassists across numerous genres. From the progressive rock stylings of Tony Levin and John Myung to the hard-hitting rhythms of Tim Commerford and Cliff Williams, and the funk-infused grooves of Joe Dart, ernie ball bass guitars are trusted by masters of their craft. Stefan Lessard, Gayle Ann Dorsey, Mike Herrera, Josh Woodard, and countless others further solidify the brand’s reputation among discerning bass players. These artists demand perfection, and ernie ball bass guitars consistently deliver.
Artist Series: Signature Ernie Ball Bass Guitar Designs
Ernie Ball Music Man’s commitment to innovation is further exemplified through their Artist Series ernie ball bass guitars, developed in close collaboration with some of the world’s most influential bassists. These signature instruments reflect the unique preferences and playing styles of each artist, offering players access to specialized features and personalized aesthetics.
The Tim Commerford Artist Series ernie ball bass guitar collection caters to the versatile needs of the Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave bassist. Featuring both full and short-scale models, these basses are equipped with custom additions like a pickup cover thumb rest and adjustable finger ramp for enhanced fingerstyle playing comfort. A sculpted 5-bolt neck joint provides unrestricted access to higher frets, while a classic string-through bridge with adjustable mute pads allows for precise tonal shaping.
Celebrating Cliff Williams’ remarkable 40-year career with AC/DC, the Cliff Williams Icon Series ernie ball bass guitar meticulously recreates his beloved 1979 Stingray. This limited edition replica captures every detail of Cliff’s original instrument, from body contours and neck carve to pickup construction and the wear and tear accumulated over decades of rock history. The result is a period-correct ernie ball bass guitar that embodies the look, feel, and iconic sound of Cliff’s #1 Stingray.
For fans of Vulfpeck’s infectious funk and soul, the Joe Dart Artist Series ernie ball bass guitar models offer a pathway to his signature sound. The Joe Dart and Joe Dart Jr. basses prioritize tone and comfort with lightweight ash bodies, select maple necks, and passive neodymium pickups. These ernie ball bass guitars are designed for simplicity, featuring minimal controls and no onboard EQ, allowing players to shape their tone purely through technique and finesse.
The John Myung Artist Series Bongo ernie ball bass guitar represents the pinnacle of modern 6-string bass design. Developed over a decade in collaboration with the Dream Theater virtuoso, this instrument prioritizes comfort, playability, and performance. Key features include a streamlined control layout with pre-programmed EQ, a balanced basswood body, a maple neck with 5-string nut width for tighter string spacing, and a visually striking golden ratio fretboard combining rosewood and roasted maple.
Mike Herrera of MXPX has long relied on a customized StingRay, and the Mike Herrera StingRay ernie ball bass guitar brings his specifications to a wider audience. Featuring an ash body with a Seafoam Green finish, matching headstock, engraved pickguard, and passive electronics, this bass delivers classic StingRay aesthetics with unique personal touches. The pickup is wired directly to the jack, bypassing traditional EQ controls for a raw, direct tone.
The Heritage of Ernie Ball Music Man Bass Guitars
The story of ernie ball bass guitars 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 the formation of Music Man in 1972 by Fender, Tom Walker, and Forest White. Music Man quickly distinguished itself by pioneering active electronics in production instruments, revolutionizing the industry. Upon the expiration of his non-compete clause, Leo Fender designed the iconic StingRay ernie ball bass guitar, introduced in 1976. Sterling Ball, who joined the team in the mid-70s, played a vital role in the design and development of the StingRay. In 1984, Sterling Ball purchased the company, and together with his sons Scott and Brian, has continued to build upon this legacy, fostering a team dedicated to crafting the highest quality hand-crafted ernie ball bass guitars available.
Modern Innovations in Ernie Ball Bass Guitars
Ernie Ball Music Man continues to push the boundaries of bass guitar design, offering a range of modern instruments that build upon the StingRay legacy while incorporating innovative features and refinements.
The StingRay SR4 and SR5 Special ernie ball bass guitars represent a reimagining of the classic StingRay design. Enhanced with a rounded forearm contour, a sculpted neck joint for improved upper fret access, a re-voiced 3-band preamp, and lightweight aluminum hardware, these basses offer a new level of playing comfort and sonic versatility.
The Short Scale StingRay ernie ball bass guitar provides a compact and comfortable option without sacrificing tone. Voiced with passive electronics and a 3-way rotary switch offering parallel, single-coil, and series modes, this bass delivers a range of classic and modern tones. It retains essential StingRay features like a modern bridge, stainless steel frets, and lightweight tuning machines.
For players seeking aggressive tones, the DarkRay ernie ball bass guitar combines StingRay Special features with Darkglass Electronics distortion circuits. Featuring Alpha (tight distortion) and Omega (fuzz) circuits, blendable via onboard controls, the DarkRay offers a wide spectrum of driven tones without low-end loss. A color-coded LED ring indicates the selected mode.
The Bongo ernie ball bass guitar, conceived in collaboration with the BMW design group, embodies modern bass design principles. Its double-cutaway basswood body provides exceptional balance and comfort, while a 24-fret neck allows for extended range playing. Available in various pickup configurations with a 4-band EQ, Neodymium pickups, and an 18V active preamp, the Bongo delivers unparalleled tonal versatility and expressive playability.
Introduced in 1993, the Sterling ernie ball bass guitar offers a slightly smaller body and neck profile, appealing to players seeking a more compact instrument. Despite its size, the Sterling delivers a powerful bass sound, equipped with a 3-band EQ, pickup selector switch, and a ceramic humbucker with a hum-canceling phantom coil. Optional neck pickups further expand its sonic possibilities.
The Perfect Ernie Ball Bass Guitar Awaits
With a diverse range of models, specifications, and options, Ernie Ball Music Man offers an ernie ball bass guitar to suit every playing style and musical aspiration. From the iconic StingRay to the modern Bongo and versatile Sterling, each ernie ball bass guitar represents the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. Ernie Ball Music Man believes that the difference between a great bass and the perfect bass lies in the details, and this philosophy is evident in every instrument they create. Shipped to over 135 countries from their California headquarters, ernie ball bass guitars continue to inspire musicians worldwide, built upon a foundation of strict quality standards, innovative design, and meticulous hand-craftsmanship. Explore the world of ernie ball bass guitars and discover the instrument that will elevate your playing to new heights.
