A CHAT WITH BRIAN BALL, MARKETING DIRECTOR OF ERNIE BALL INC.
Ernie Ball got into the string business in the early 1960s, when, in an attempt to address the needs of twang and bend-happy artists like the Merle Travis and the Ventures, he developed a line of light and customizable string sets. Since then, Ernie Ball Inc. has continued to create top-quality products and demonstrate an uncanny ability to address real player needs. It has also stayed a family business. The current CEO is the late Ernie’s son, Sterling, and Sterling’s son Brian now heads up the company’s marketing efforts. We spoke to Brian about Ernie Ball’s unique business approach.

Ernie Ball was built on satisfying a niche market with a standout product. And while you’ve diversified over time, you still seem to adhere to that philosophy.
BALL We will look at opportunities as a company when they present themselves, and we’re always looking to develop and engineer new things, but our first priority is to make quality the mark of anything we put out. If something isn’t a great product, we won’t put it out then hope our marketing department can do something with it. [more]

PRS EXPANDS FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE ACOUSTIC MANUFACTURING
In an indication of its commitment to its acoustic business, Paul Reed Smith will triple the size of its Stevensville, Maryland, facility and dedicate a significant portion of the space to manufacturing the company’s new acoustic line. While part of the new facility will be dedicated to production of the new Paul Reed Smith amplifier line, the announcement suggests that PRS expects significant demand for its acoustics. prsguitars.com

MARTIN CELEBRATES 175TH ANNIVERSARY WITH AUCTION AT CHRISTIE'S
Christie's will host an auction celebrating C.F. Martin Co.’s 175th anniversary on October 10 in New York City. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.The auction will feature 49 guitars including prototypes from Martin’s limited edition program, experimental editions, difficult-to-find inactive models, and famous signature models. Some of the more unusual guitars offered include a 00-45ST Stauffer that commemorates C.F. Martin Sr.’s 200th birthday, a Koa D-50 Deluxe, and a M3M Sir George Martin signature model. Martinguitar.com, christies.com

BREEDLOVE C25/CR HERRINGBONE
Acoustic Guitar reviews this surprisingly affordable fingerstyle specialist with distinctive style and copious tone. With video. [more]

BASHKIN GUITARS
Using advanced designs and specializing in sustainable tone woods, Colorado luthier Michael Bashkin creates finely tuned custom flattops. [more]

September 29–October 5
IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS 2008
Nashville, Tennessee
ibma.org

October 9–12
MUSIC CHINA 2008
Shanghai, China
messefrankfurt.com.hk/

September 20–October 20
LA CHITARRA, FOUR CENTURIES OF MASTERPIECES
Alessandria, Italy
http://sinierderidder.free.fr/gb/maingb.html

October 18–19
ARLINGTON GUITAR SHOW
Arlington, Texas
texasguitarshows.com

January 15–19
WINTER NAMM
Anaheim, California
namm.org

January 16
ACOUSTIC CAFÉ
Anaheim, California
acousticguitar.com/acousticcafe/

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