VGS 2020: In 2020, Ernie Ball has been busy putting a fresh twist on the world's favourite strings, with an all-new range of Slinkys, and the Virtual Guitar Show 2020 presents the ideal opportunity to show them off.
Slinkys are the most popular string line in the world and all the new sets feature Ernie Ball's recipe for the famed Slinky tone and feel; nickel-plated steel wrap wire around a tin-plated hex core.
Also on show is the latest signature electric guitar for the inimitable Steve Lukather. Now in its third incarnation, the Ernie Ball Music Man 2020 Luke III – a stunning double-cutaway that's big on versatility, big on performance.
Ernie Ball Turbo Slinkys
The Turbo Slinkys (9.5, 12, 16, 26, 36, 46) fit between Regular Slinkys and Hybrid Slinkys, and serve as an ideal transition for those moving from 9s to 10s or vice versa.
Ernie Ball Mondo Slinkys
The Mondo Slinkys (10.5, 13.5, 17.5, 30, 42, 52) are ideal for those who don't want to go to 11s but want to tune lower without things getting flappy.
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Beefy Bottom Slinkys
The Skinny Top Beefy Bottom Slinkys (10, 13, 17, 32, 44, 54) offer rhythm and riff playing stability with room for bending. They're available in both 6-string and 7-string (10, 13, 17, 30, 42, 52, 62) sets.
Ernie Ball Mighty Slinkys
On the lighter side are the Mighty Slinkys (8.5, 11, 15, 22w, 30, 40). These sit between the popular Super Slinky and Extra Slinky string sets. They'll offer a fast, finger-friendly tension across all your six strings.
Ernie Ball Music Man 2020 Luke III
Steve Lukather's 2020 Luke III has been revised. The new models are kitted out with custom Music Man electronics, and the option of an alder body or lightweight okoume body with figured-maple top. Both options come with a figured roasted maple neck and rosewood fingerboard.
There can also choose from two pick-up configurations: the HH model with two Ernie Ball Music Man humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions, and the HSS, with a humbucker in the bridge and two Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass single coils in middle and neck positions.
The humbuckers are newly wound for 2020, and are wound hot. Both configurations have five-way pickup selectors and an onboard preamp offering 20dB of boost via "push/push" volume knob.
All Luke III models have floating Ernie Ball Music Man vintage tremolo system.
As for finishes, the alder body models are available in Olive Pearl, Fuchsia Sparkle, and Ocean Sparkle, and are available now, priced £2,349.
The maple-topped Luke III models are available with a flame or quilt maple top in Luscious Green and Cherry Burst (from £3,199).