Guitar strings are still the company's core product. Ball further revolutionized the market when he began manufacturing custom-gauge single strings. Years later, Ernie Ball, Inc. bought out Music Man, begun by guitarist legend Leo Fender. The guitars built at the Ernie Ball plant on Suburban Road carry the Ernie Ball Music Man name. The buildings where the guitars and strings are manufactured are immaculate, humming.
Workers build guitars in one building and create and package strings in another.
That's where Christine Phanvongkham works putting electronic components into the guitars. She's worked for Ernie Ball for two years, and was one of the recipients of the pay raise. A single mother rearing two kids, Phanvongkham currently lives in taxpayer-subsidized housing on Madonna Road, but the raise, she said, will help her get out and afford her own place. It helps us as well as his company. They also received raises.