Let’s Talk Strings: Why Ernie Ball Rules the Fretboard

Hey Rockaway fam!
Let’s face it—guitar strings don’t usually get the rockstar treatment. They snap, they tarnish, they get changed. But if you’ve ever walked into Rockaway looking for strings, you’ll know there’s one brand we always back:

Ernie Ball.

Legendary and trustworthy. Whether you’re a bedroom strummer or a sweaty pub-gigger, chances are you’ve wound up with a pack of Ernie Balls in your case.

Here’s why.

A Little History: Born in a Music Shop

Way back in the early '60s, Ernie Ball—a musician and guitar tech who ran a music store in California—noticed a problem. Beginners were struggling with factory string sets, which were too heavy and hard to bend. So Ernie did something radical:
He designed lighter gauge strings that made playing easier. Cue the birth of the Slinky Strings, and guitar playing got a whole lot smoother.

Musicians rejoiced. Guitar sales boomed. And Ernie accidentally kickstarted a string revolution.

Used By Legends. And We Mean LEGENDS.

Alright, here’s where things get loud. Over the decades, Ernie Ball strings have graced the guitars of some serious heavyweights:

• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)

• Slash (Guns N’ Roses)

• Eric Clapton

• Steve Vai

• John Mayer

• James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett (Metallica)

• Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

• St. Vincent

• Even Paul McCartney on bass!

“They feel more real than the really thin ones.”
— Omar Rodríguez-López (The Mars Volta, At the Drive-In) on using Ernie Ball .013–.056 gauge strings with a wound G string

What Makes Ernie Ball Strings So Good?

Let’s break it down:

• Tone for days: Bright, balanced, punchy. Slinkies sing whether you're riffing or fingerpicking.

• Feel like butter: That smooth, bendable playability is Ernie Ball’s secret sauce.

• Consistent quality: Made in California to exacting standards, every pack feels just right.

• Massive range: Need extra slink? Beefy bottom? 7-string? Acoustic? Bass? They’ve got a set with your name on it.

Plus, they’ve stepped into coated strings too—hello, Paradigm and Everlast—for longer life and gig-ready resilience.

Change Your Strings, Change Your Sound

Here’s the thing: your strings really matter. Dull tone? Crappy sustain? Finger fatigue? Might not be your guitar—it might be your strings begging for retirement.

At Rockaway Records, we stock a wide range of Ernie Ball strings for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Whether you’re a Slinky loyalist or trying coated strings for the first time, we’ve got you covered.

👉 Shop Ernie Ball strings here

Final Strum

Ernie Ball didn’t just invent a better string—he helped more people fall in love with playing. And decades later, the legacy continues every time someone cracks open a fresh, colour-coded pack and starts to play.

So next time your strings start feeling lifeless, swing by Rockaway. We’ll sort you out with the right set.

Stay slinky,
– The Rockaway Records Crew