Buried Here – Ernie Ball, A Pioneer Maker Of Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitar Strings

Image Via Findagrave

Buried here:

Ernie Ball

Ernie was a pioneer maker of rock ‘n’ roll guitar strings and other guitar-related products used by legions of artists including: Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Merle Travis.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and have vivid recollections about driving by Ernie Ball’s shop on Ventura Blvd in Tarzana. It’s thought to be the first ever shop in the United States to sell guitars and nothing else. In 1967 he sold the store and moved his business that was, at the time, exclusively producing guitar strings to Newport Beach, California.

In 1985, the company moved to San Luis Obispo and remained there until early 2003, when they once again relocated to Riverside County.

Ernie died at his home in San Luis Obispo, CA on September 9, 2004 at the age of 74,

San Luis Cemetery
2 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo CA 93401
805 543-7053