Ernie Ball to Acquire Source Audio

Ernie Ball has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Source Audio, the Massachusetts-based effects pedals manufacturer.

The move marks a defining moment for both companies. It carries Ernie Ball’s six-decade legacy of shaping how musicians sound — a journey that began at the string and now extends into the effects that color a player’s tone — while giving Source Audio the global reach and resources of a family-owned industry leader, without compromising its musician-first spirit.

For more than 60 years, Ernie Ball has defined the feel of modern guitar through products like its Slinky strings and Ernie Ball Music Man. The acquisition gives Ernie Ball an immediate and credible presence in the premium effects category while opening Ernie Ball’s global distribution network, artist relationships, marketing strength and manufacturing discipline to Source Audio. The shared goal is to bring Source Audio’s innovation to far more musicians around the world while protecting what makes the brand special.

“We’re not acquiring Source Audio to change what makes it special,” Ball continued. “We’re acquiring Source Audio because we believe in what it already is, and because we believe Ernie Ball can put that innovation in the hands of more players than ever before.”

Asked why now was the right time for the acquisition, Ball said the companies’ strengths complement one another at a moment when musicians are relying on effects more than ever as part of their creative process.

“Source Audio represents the rare combination of deep engineering, real musicality, and products that inspire players to find sounds they may not have reached otherwise,” Ball said. “For Ernie Ball, the timing feels right because musicians are creating in more expansive ways than ever before, and effects are a huge part of that creative language. We have spent decades supporting players through strings, accessories, instruments, artist relationships, and global distribution. Source Audio gives us a credible and innovative platform in premium effects that fits naturally into that mission. This isn’t about chasing a category for the sake of it. It’s about bringing together Source Audio’s technology and sound-design depth with Ernie Ball’s reach, artist ecosystem, and musician-first culture. The combination gives us a chance to support what Source Audio already does well and help get those products in front of more players around the world.”

Looking beyond the acquisition itself, Ball said Source Audio also establishes an important foundation for Ernie Ball’s long-term strategy in music technology.

“Yes, [we plan to make a deeper foray into the effects market] but in a thoughtful way,” Ball said. “We’re not acquiring Source Audio to simply put an Ernie Ball stamp on another pedal company. Source Audio will continue to be Source Audio, and the first priority is continuity for the existing products, customers, dealers, distributors, and artists. Longer term, we absolutely see premium effects and music technology as an important part of Ernie Ball’s future.”

Founded in Woburn, Massachusetts, by engineers with roots at Analog Devices and Kurzweil, Source Audio launched in 2006 with the Hot Hand Motion-Sensing Ring and has been pushing the boundaries of effects technology since. Its pedals have found their way onto the stages and recordings of artists associated with David Gilmour, U2, David Bowie, John Mayer, Aerosmith and more.

“Source Audio has always been driven by innovation and the desire to give musicians new ways to create,” said Roger Smith, CEO and co-founder of Source Audio. “From the beginning, our goal has been to combine world-class sound design with powerful technology in a way that inspires players. Ernie Ball understands musicians, artists, and the culture of guitar in a way very few companies do, and that alignment is what makes this such an exciting next chapter.”

Smith continues, “Ernie Ball gives Source Audio the scale, support, and reach to keep growing while preserving the spirit of what we built,” Smith added. “I’m confident this is the right home for the brand, the products, the technology, and the community of musicians who have supported us from the start.”

Source Audio will continue to operate under its own brand. Existing products are expected to remain available, and the immediate focus will be on continuity for customers, dealers, distributors, artists and partners. Smith will work closely with Ball and his Ernie Ball team through the transition to help ensure continuity across products, supplier relationships, and customer engagement.

ernieball.com; sourceaudio.net