Lauzon Music · Est. 1945
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball strings in Canada, from Ottawa. Ernie Ball has made strings in the USA since 1962. We keep Slinky, Paradigm, Cobalt and Classic Rock n Roll electric sets in stock, with bass Slinkys and Earthwood acoustic strings.
Ernie Ball buying guide and questions
Ernie Ball
Hall of Fame
One-of-a-kind Ernie Ball pieces that have passed through the shop.
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Buying guide
Ernie Ball strings at Lauzon Music
What Ernie Ball is known for
Ernie Ball introduced four Rock 'n' Roll string sets in 1962, and Super Slinky was the first to carry the Slinky name. The name spread across the line by 1965. The company has been based in San Luis Obispo, California since 1979, and it moved string making to the Coachella Valley in 2004 for the low humidity. It is still a family business.
The models we carry
What's in stock changes week to week. See every Ernie Ball set in stock.
- Nickel Wound Slinky. Nickel-plated steel wrapped around a tin-plated hex steel core for a well-balanced sound, from Extra Slinky 8-38 to Not Even Slinky 12-56, plus 7-string sets and 3-packs
- Paradigm Slinky. Ultra-high-strength steel in the wound and plain strings, a reinforced ball-end twist on the plains, and Everlast nanotreatment for corrosion resistance, with the Slinky tone and feel
- Cobalt Slinky. A cobalt winding alloy for higher output with greater definition
- Classic Rock n Roll. Pure nickel wrap for a warm, round tone
- Coated Slinky. Coated versions of the Hybrid, Regular, Power and Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky sets
- Bass Slinky and Earthwood. Roundwound bass sets in four and five strings, and Earthwood phosphor bronze acoustic sets
Buying Ernie Ball from us
Ernie Ball orders ship insured, free over $200 across Canada and the US, with no duty on US orders. If you're not sure which Slinky gauge or alloy suits your playing, or you're after an Ernie Ball set that isn't on this page, ask us in the chat.
Questions
Ernie Ball questions, answered
Where are Ernie Ball strings made?
In the USA. Ernie Ball has made strings in the US since 1962 and has made them in the Coachella Valley in California since 2004.
Which Slinky gauge should I pick?
The names map to gauges. Super Slinky is 9-42, Hybrid Slinky 9-46, Regular Slinky 10-46, Power Slinky 11-48 and Skinny Top Heavy Bottom 10-52, which pairs lighter plain strings for soloing with heavier wound strings for rhythm. Lighter sets bend more easily; heavier sets carry more tension.
How is Paradigm different from a regular Slinky?
Paradigm keeps the Slinky tone and feel and adds strength. Ernie Ball uses ultra-high-strength steel in both the wound and plain strings, reinforces the ball-end twist of each plain string, and adds its Everlast nanotreatment for corrosion resistance.
What do Cobalt and Classic Rock n Roll strings sound like?
Ernie Ball says the cobalt in the Cobalt Slinky winding gives higher output with greater definition. Classic Rock n Roll sets use a pure nickel wrap, which Ernie Ball describes as warm and round, with harmonic complexity.
Do you ship Ernie Ball strings to the US?
Yes. Orders ship insured, free over $200 across Canada and the US, and US orders carry no duty.
Real people, real answers
Looking for something specific?
Tell us the spec and we will chase it. Someone who plays reads it, not a ticket queue.