The Spark: A Guitarist Solving a Guitarist’s Problem
In the late 1950s, Roland Sherwood “Ernie” Ball opened a small guitar shop in California and did something bold for the time: he focused only on guitars and guitarists. Young rock players kept telling him the same thing—stock string sets were too stiff for the wide bends and vibrato they wanted.
Roland Sherwood “Ernie” Ball was a working LA guitarist and teacher who, after Air Force band service during the Korean War, opened a small retail store in Tarzana, California in 1957/58.
So Ernie did what great shop owners do: he experimented. He started building custom lighter-gauge sets, borrowing a thin high‑E from banjo stock and using an unwound G for easier bending. Players loved it. In 1962, he formalised those sets with bright, playful packaging and a name that captured the feel: Slinky.
By the late 1960s, Ernie closed the retail stores and went all‑in on strings and accessories. The Slinky sets spread globally—helped along by players who needed that extra flexibility for bluesy phrases, rock riffs and early shred.
From Shopkeeper to String Maker
Demand exploded. By the late 1960s, Ernie closed the retail stores and went all‑in on strings and accessories. The Slinky sets spread globally—helped along by players who needed that extra flexibility for bluesy phrases, rock riffs and early shred. Over time, the brand grew a full ecosystem: picks, straps, cables, volume pedals and more.
Innovation Timeline (Highlights)
1970s: Earthwood experiments
Ernie Ball’s Earthwood brand dabbled in acoustic instruments—including one of the first modern acoustic bass guitars—and helped shape ideas about feel, projection and playability.
1980s: Music Man joins the family
The Ernie Ball company acquired Music Man in the mid‑80s, rekindling iconic instruments like the StingRay bass. Today you’ll see Ernie Ball on strings and accessories, and Ernie Ball Music Man on premium guitars and basses—two sides of the same family.
2010s–2020s: New materials, same Slinky feel
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Cobalt Slinky (2012): stronger magnetic response for punch and output.
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M‑Steel (2013/14): maraging‑steel cores for power and break resistance.
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Aluminium Bronze (2014): fresh acoustic tone with crisp top and projection.
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Paradigm (2017): ultra‑durable sets designed for heavy gigging and touring.
Why Players Still Say “Grab a Pack of Slinkys”
Beyond the colourful packs and fun names, Slinkys nailed a balance that other sets often miss:
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Feel: that smooth, slightly forgiving tension that makes bends consistent.
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Tone: bright enough to cut, but rounded enough to not be ice‑pick harsh.
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Consistency: pack‑to‑pack reliability that studios and techs count on.
At Colemans, we hear it all the time: someone tries a niche alloy, has fun for a while, then comes back to Slinkys because the guitar just feels “right.”
Choosing Your Ernie Ball Set (Colemans Buyer’s Guide)
Electric Guitar
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Super Slinky 9–42 – Easy bends, fast leads, great for lighter touch or vintage trem systems.
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Regular Slinky 10–46 – The “do‑everything” set; balance of snap and stability.
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Power/Beefy/Not Even Slinky (11–48+ and hybrids) – More punch and tension for down‑tuning or hard strumming.
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Cobalt Slinky – Extra output and clarity; popular with high‑gain amps and extended‑range riffs.
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M‑Steel – Tight low end and longevity if you’re hard on strings.
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Paradigm – Premium durability for touring and session reliability.
Tip: If you love 10–46 feel but want thicker lows for riffing, try a hybrid (e.g., 9–46 or 10–52).
Acoustic Guitar
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Phosphor Bronze Slinky Acoustic – Warm, balanced, familiar.
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80/20 Bronze – Brighter attack and sparkle, great for strummers.
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Aluminium Bronze – Crisp top with strong projection; records beautifully.
Bass Guitar
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Regular Slinky Bass (Nickel) – Classic feel and tone that just works.
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Cobalt Flats / Slinky Flats – Smooth feel with modern punch; flats that don’t sound “old.”
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5‑String & Drop‑Tune Options – We keep extended‑range gauges in stock for modern bass setups.
Need help picking? Bring your guitar or bass into Colemans Music Melbourne CBD. We’ll chat tunings, scale length and feel, then match you to the right gauge and alloy.
Maintenance: Get More Life From Every Pack
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Wipe down after playing (strings + fretboard) to remove sweat and grime.
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Case humidity around 45–55% helps both the guitar and the strings.
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Change interval: gigging players often swap every 1–3 weeks; casual players every 1–3 months. If highs fade or intonation gets quirky, it’s time.
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Stretch gently after fitting to speed up tuning stability.
FAQs (Great for New Players)
Are Slinkys only for rock?
Nope. They’re popular across blues, pop, worship, indie and country—any style that values bendable feel and consistent intonation.
Do I need coated strings?
Ernie Ball’s Paradigm focuses on longevity without a traditional “coated” feel. If you hate the slickness of some coated sets, Paradigm is a smart alternative.
What if I keep breaking the high‑E?
Try going up a gauge, check your bridge saddles/nut for sharp edges, and consider M‑Steel or Paradigm for added strength.
Will Cobalt hurt my pickups?
Cobalt strings simply couple more strongly to magnetic pickups; they won’t damage them. Expect a bit more output and presence.
Why Colemans Music Stocks So Many Ernie Ball Options
We’ve stocked Ernie Ball for years because our customers—from first‑time players to working pros—come back for the feel. Whether you’re restringing a beginner Strat, prepping a studio Les Paul, or outfitting a 5‑string bass for festival season, there’s a Slinky set that makes the instrument feel alive.
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In‑store help: Melbourne CBD team can fit and set up while you browse.
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Online convenience: fast shipping Australia‑wide with eco‑friendly packing.
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Great value multi‑packs: save on your staple set.
Ready to Re‑String?
Grab your next set from Colemans Music:
Want a setup too? Ask in‑store about same‑day restring & tune‑up options.
