home


Photo Files
(Click for high-res
JPG images)


Ernie Ball’s innovative new Slinky Flatwound electric bass guitar strings.

Ernie Ball’s new Slinky Flatwound electric bass guitar strings are offered in five four-string sets and a five-string set. Pictured is the 40-95 set, the lightest gauge of the four-string sets.

 


 


My fingers say flat, my ears say round, my frets say thank you.- Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel)


Ernie Ball Introduces Next-Generation Slinky Flatwound Electric Bass Guitar Strings


— Company continues to drive new musical instrument technology trends in
response to and in anticipation of market needs —


— Ernie Ball has re-engineered flatwounds to provide bass guitarists with the smooth feel of flats with the tonal range of round-wound strings —

(Coachella, CA May 5, 2015) Ernie Ball Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of guitar strings, musical instrument accessories and hand-crafted high-end Ernie Ball Music Man® guitars and basses, announces the introduction of its new Slinky Flatwound electric bass guitar strings. These highly innovative new offerings feature an “industry first” – combining two equally important bass tones in one – literally creating a “new category” of strings. This allows bass players to achieve a vibrant round wound sound, paired with the silky smooth feel of traditional flatwound strings. The announcement was made by Ernie Ball President Brian Ball and represents the latest groundbreaking product in the company’s legacy of innovation. It is also part of an intensive series of Ernie Ball product rollouts to be unveiled through the end of 2015 and into 2016.

“For over five decades, Ernie Ball has had a rich history of driving innovation in the Musical Instrument space and providing artists with pioneering products that allow them to create and develop their signature sound,” stated Brian Ball. “Developed with Ernie Ball's patented cobalt/steel alloy, our new Slinky Flatwound electric bass strings provide significantly more tonal versatility than any other bass string ever produced.”

As part of the development of the Slinky Flatwound electric bass stings, Ernie Ball’s R&D department road-tested the strings with some of today's most respected bass guitarists, including Pino Palladino (The Who, Paul Simon, John Mayer Trio), Matt Mangano (Zac Brown Band), Juan Alderete (Mars Volta, Deltron 3030), Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Mike Herrera (MxPx), Ed Friedland (The Bass Whisperer) and more.

“Having been involved in the development of Ernie Ball’s Slinky Flatwound strings, I can honestly say that they offer an innovative combination of feel, tone and durability unlike any other string I’ve played.  A game changer for bass players” – Pino Palladino, The Who, Paul Simon, John Mayer Trio

“The perfect balance of deep bottom, punchy mids, a smooth top-end...the quest for the perfect flatwound string is finally over.” - Matt Mangano, Zac Brown Band

“A successful hybrid of old and new-school characteristics that sounds great on vintage-style passive axes or modern machines with active electronics.” – Ed Friedland, Bass Player Magazine

Available in five four-string sets (40-95; 45-100; 45-115; 50-105; and 55-110) and a five-string set (45-130), the Slinky Flatwound electric bass strings are made using cobalt ribbon wire wrapped around hex cores with cobalt under-wraps for unmatched clarity and projection. Additionally, the strings feature an optimal core-to-warp ratio for comfortable tension and playability.

The new Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound electric bass strings will be available in stores early May 2015 with an estimated U.S. street price of $34.99 (4-string) and $39.99 (5-string). Learn more about the new strings here: http://www.ernieball.com/flatwound.

Photo file 1: EB_FlatwoundBass.JPG
Photo caption 1: Ernie Ball’s innovative new Slinky Flatwound electric bass guitar strings.

Photo file 2: EB_FlatwoundBass_40_95.JPG
Photo caption 2: Ernie Ball’s new Slinky Flatwound electric bass guitar strings are offered in five four-string sets and a five-string set. Pictured is the 40-95 set, the lightest gauge of the four-string sets.

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 Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, 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, Ever Last, 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 Golden Pick promotion featuring Slash and Eric Clapton, and the world's largest and longest running Battle of the Bands, where unsigned bands compete each year for the chance to play on multiple tours and win tons of prizes. Visit them online at www.ernieball.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Robert Clyne | Clyne Media | 615.662.1616 | robert@clynemedia.com


 

 

 







 

 

 

 

 


Copyright ©2015, Clyne Media, Inc.,
All Rights Reserved.