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For Immediate Release
Ernie Ball Music Man Introduces 40th Anniversary “Old Smoothie” StingRay Bass at NAMM 2016
(The NAMM Show, Anaheim, CA – January 21, 2016) – At NAMM 2016, Ernie Ball Music Man (Booth 5440, Hall B), one of the world’s premier guitar, bass and amp manufacturers, is introducing its 40th Anniversary StingRay electric bass, “Old Smoothie,” named for a prototype from 1976 featuring a one-of-a-kind design and unique tonal characteristics. The bass features a rare ten (10) pole piece pickup design, resulting in a smooth, full tone that gives Old Smoothie its name and is reminiscent of the highly-sought-after vintage 70’s Music Man StingRay sound.
“Since its introduction in 1976, the Music Man StingRay bass has been embraced as one of the world’s classic electric bass designs, and Old Smoothie was an interesting – and great-sounding – variation given to me by Leo Fender during the time I spent testing and developing the original prototypes back in the 70’s,” said Sterling Ball, CEO for Ernie Ball. “We recently revisited the bass and were knocked out by its rich, deep, beautifully sweet tone. We knew we had to make it available to today’s bass players and celebrate one of the most iconic instruments of our time.”
The Ernie Ball Music Man “Old Smoothie” 40th Anniversary bass is a faithful reproduction of the original, with its custom-made ten (10) pole piece pickup design precisely reproduced. “We analyzed the original with a spectrograph, micrometer and other measurement tools and examined and re-created it to the smallest detail to deliver the exact tone of the original,” said Sterling Ball. All the other attributes of the original Old Smoothie have been duplicated, including its body, headstock and pickguard shape, 34-inch scale maple neck and fingerboard, frets, active electronics, hardware and exclusive chocolate-burst finish.
The Ernie Ball Music Man Old Smoothie Bass is supplied with a hardshell case and will be available in April 2016.
Photo file 1: MM_OldSmoothie.JPG
Photo caption 1: Ernie Ball Music Man “Old Smoothie” 40th Anniversary StingRay electric bassPhoto file 2: MM_OldSmoothie_PromoGraphic.JPG
Photo caption 2: Ernie Ball Music Man “Old Smoothie” 40th Anniversary StingRay electric bass promotional graphic
About Ernie Ball:
In 1962, veteran player and teacher Ernie Ball created Slinkys®, the iconic light gauge electric guitar strings widely revered by hundreds of guitar greats including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney, Metallica, Brad Paisley, Slash, John Petrucci, The Edge and John Mayer. In addition to industry-standard strings, as well as hand-crafted high-end Music Man® guitars and basses, Ernie Ball Inc. offers state-of-the-art instrument accessories that are carried in more than 6,000 stores in the U.S. and 120 countries worldwide. The family-run company maintains its founder's dedication to preserving the musician's playing experience and delivering superior sound quality through the development of new products, such as Cobalt Slinkys, M-Steel, Earthwood and the revolutionary Element Shield Packaging, which hermetically seals guitar strings to keep each set as fresh as the day they were made. The company also fosters artist development through musician-focused programs such as the world's largest and longest running Battle of the Bands, where unsigned bands compete each year for the chance to play live on national tours, festivals and events. Visit them online at www.ernieball.com and www.music-man.com.FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sarah Chavey | ANTHEMIC Agency | sarah@anthemicagency.com
Robert Clyne | Clyne Media Inc.| Robert@clynemedia.comErnie Ball/Music Man is exhibiting at Booth 5440 (Hall B) at the 2016 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
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