- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
Big Poppa
Well-known member
thanks B
DaPatrooch
Well-known member
Wow, great story. So if Fender was never bought out, there would be no Music Man?
Sigmunds Couch
Well-known member
+ a lot
How 'bout a chapter on the string roller / packaging machines? Brian said that was a family development but didn't really get into any detail.
Thanks in advance.
John C
Well-known member
Great story BP; thanks for giving us a glimpse into history.
This needs to be compiled into a complete oral history of EB and his company; it's a great read on the forum but the entire story needs to be told.
Edited to add:
You can't tell I'm a sucker for oral histories of companies, events, etc. One of my great regrets is my dad died when I was 19 (back in early '82) and I never got to get him to open up about his life, events during WWII, and things that always seemed to be put off until I was "older". By the time I was older and through with that snotty teenage/early college student phase that some of us go through (you know, where you think your parents don't know anything about "modern life", etc.) and could really appreciate that type of relationship, it was just too late.
This needs to be compiled into a complete oral history of EB and his company; it's a great read on the forum but the entire story needs to be told.
Edited to add:
You can't tell I'm a sucker for oral histories of companies, events, etc. One of my great regrets is my dad died when I was 19 (back in early '82) and I never got to get him to open up about his life, events during WWII, and things that always seemed to be put off until I was "older". By the time I was older and through with that snotty teenage/early college student phase that some of us go through (you know, where you think your parents don't know anything about "modern life", etc.) and could really appreciate that type of relationship, it was just too late.
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leftyguitarblue
Well-known member
love it, a true gentleman and pioneer!
Thanks BP. I needed some inspiration like that. It helps to see that even when you hit the bottom, you can still be successful. I like the part about Tommy saying he wasn't brought up that way. I relate to that very much and I want my baby son to learn that lesson too.
wired
Well-known member
Another great story. Thanks! 
Paul in WV
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2007
- Messages
- 116
I've looked the Ball Family up on the old interwebs a couple of times and hit Wikipedia as well but nothing, NOTHING beats the story from a son himself.
Some of the things I read flat out amazed me...some of the things I've read here continue to amaze me.
I can say this, I'm a complete nobody but I can say this...when and if my kids want a guitar or a bass, it will be an EBMM. I know I can get something from someone else cheaper but the quality of both the guitar and people who make them is worth paying for!
Some of the things I read flat out amazed me...some of the things I've read here continue to amaze me.
I can say this, I'm a complete nobody but I can say this...when and if my kids want a guitar or a bass, it will be an EBMM. I know I can get something from someone else cheaper but the quality of both the guitar and people who make them is worth paying for!
GoKart_MoZart
Well-known member
What a great story, and nicely told. Thanks BP.
Ponch
Well-known member
BP, sincerely thanks for this inspiring story. Now I can tell my kids and grandkids in the future about this amazing life lesson. thanks.
Sterling,
It was great to read your comments about Ernie. I first met Ernie in 1974 when we started distributing EB for Australia. Prior to that, EB was being sold by a teaching set-up called Guitar City in the center of Sydney. The owner was getting his supply of EB strings through a Qantas pilot on the Sydney-LA route who would buy them from Ernie and bring them back. We started importing them with fantastic support from EB, including Ernie's fabulous comic strip catalogs, featuring such creations of Ernie's as Ralph Raven, the cigar-smoking private detective from that famous organisation, "Rantin' and Raven'". Ernie drew up all the characters himself. He made such a huge impression on me! I would have to say, Ernie is one of the most impressive people I have met in my life. He had an incredible intensity about him with those bright eyes of his and he was an absolutely straight shooter with a great passion for his business and the industry.
It was an honour to know him.
Pat Bonham
It was great to read your comments about Ernie. I first met Ernie in 1974 when we started distributing EB for Australia. Prior to that, EB was being sold by a teaching set-up called Guitar City in the center of Sydney. The owner was getting his supply of EB strings through a Qantas pilot on the Sydney-LA route who would buy them from Ernie and bring them back. We started importing them with fantastic support from EB, including Ernie's fabulous comic strip catalogs, featuring such creations of Ernie's as Ralph Raven, the cigar-smoking private detective from that famous organisation, "Rantin' and Raven'". Ernie drew up all the characters himself. He made such a huge impression on me! I would have to say, Ernie is one of the most impressive people I have met in my life. He had an incredible intensity about him with those bright eyes of his and he was an absolutely straight shooter with a great passion for his business and the industry.
It was an honour to know him.
Pat Bonham
Hey BP
That was an amazing story about an amazing man. It was an absolute pleasure to have known him and to have the Ball family as strong family friends.
I'm lucky I still have access to the stories, and after your thread I'll appreciate them so much more.
Looking forward to catching up in January.
That was an amazing story about an amazing man. It was an absolute pleasure to have known him and to have the Ball family as strong family friends.
I'm lucky I still have access to the stories, and after your thread I'll appreciate them so much more.
Looking forward to catching up in January.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
thanks guys///patty remember the sundance saloon trips?
Colin
Well-known member
It's great to see you here Pat. Do you have any of those old comics lying around we can see? Cool story of how EB started coming into Australia. Thanks for sharing.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
I asked Pat for photos and he doesnt have any either. I know I have some somewhere. It is really funny back then we were just working away and not thinking about it being important just into the moment....Now I remember I used to have a picture of Pat, My Dad , Leo adn Tommay and I at a dinner in Frankfurt.....That was back when pat could beat me in golf
Hey Patty...the sad part is that EB is gone and so is Peter....Re3member when Peter sat down in Atlanta with my Dad and I a list of "problems"? (he was just trying to geta better deal) He wouldnt address me and my dad just sat there and then looks at me..." I said PEter it's BS...and some day you will realize that this is my job and if you dont like it we will just find anouther Australian Distributor" Peter said ."ERn, is that right?" My Dad said "If Sterling said it.....its right"
How about the $250,000 order?
Hey Patty...the sad part is that EB is gone and so is Peter....Re3member when Peter sat down in Atlanta with my Dad and I a list of "problems"? (he was just trying to geta better deal) He wouldnt address me and my dad just sat there and then looks at me..." I said PEter it's BS...and some day you will realize that this is my job and if you dont like it we will just find anouther Australian Distributor" Peter said ."ERn, is that right?" My Dad said "If Sterling said it.....its right"
How about the $250,000 order?
drewbixcubed
Moderator
Pretty interesting history BP...cool stuff~
robelinda2
Well-known member
Good to know that Australia has a part in the EB history!
