Sterling Ball

Sterling Ball is the son of Ernie Ball and the executive who led the family company into guitar making. His family background goes back to a great-grandfather who was a songwriter in the Tin Pan Alley era, and as a young man Sterling knew Leo Fender and helped beta-test early Music Man models. Accounts differ on when he took control of Ernie Ball, with some dating it to 1974 and others to 1975.

Under his direction Ernie Ball bought Music Man in 1984 in a deal that included the trademarks, inventory and a warehouse but no factory; production of instruments began in 1985. The company moved to San Luis Obispo in 1979. He expanded the company with Music Man designs and new series of guitars and products, and served on the NAMM board, where he created programs encouraging players of all ages to pick up an instrument.

His title is reported inconsistently: a Guitar World feature has Sterling with his son Brian now running the company, while another source lists Sterling as CEO and Brian as president, so check the company's site if the title matters. Guitar Radar follows Ernie Ball and Music Man news.