Music Man and Steve Morse Celebrate 20 Years with New Signature Y2d Guitar

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (July 22, 2005) - Music Man and Steve Morse celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Steve Morse signature guitar first created in 1985, with the new Steve Morse Y2d signature model.

Updated features will include a poplar body with maple top (available in flame or quilt), radiused cream binding and a solid black finish on the back of the guitar. Three DI-Marzio pickups in H-S-H configuration features a new custom wound single coil pickup in the middle position. A 5-way toggle switch controls a more traditional pickup combination. The new TonePros T3BT-C bridge was also retrofitted to increase sustain and harmonics. The new locking version of the metric Tuneomatic bridge secures solidly to the Y2D and won't come off when changing strings.

"This new bridge will make setups much easier, with slotted height adjustments, and the patented TonePros locking system makes it sound rock solid, " said Dudley Gimpel, EB/MM chief engineer.

The Y2d will come in three exciting new translucent finish options; Purple Sunset, De-Purple Burst and Tobacco Sunburst. The Purple Sunset and De-Purple Burst finishes will also feature custom purple Di-Marzio pickups with a gold leaf script Steve Morse signature. To accent the overall appearance, this instrument will have a clear pickguard to show its beautiful grain. A slimmer neck profile will be standard issue, faithfully recreated from Steve Morse's number one stage guitar from 1985. This particular neck has seen eight refrets and 20 years of worldwide stage and studio use.

Current list price including case will be $2,095 (standard bridge) and $2,245 with tremolo. The original Steve Morse model will still be available at the current retail of $1,765 (standard) and $1,915 (tremolo).

Ernie Ball was the first to offer rock strings with the creation of Slinkys, and further revolutionized the market by offering guitarists Custom-Gauge single strings. The Ernie Ball Company also produces Music Man guitars and basses, volume pedals, and other accessories. The company's strings and accessories are available in more than 6,000 music stores throughout the U.S. The company also exports to 82 countries. For more information, contact the Ernie Ball company at (800) 543-2255, or visit their website at www.ernieball.com.

These products are Ernie Ball trademarks registered in the USA and many foreign countries:

ERNIE BALL®     CUSTOM GAUGE®     SLINKY®     EARTHWOOD®
MUSICMAN®
STINGRAY®     SILHOUETTE®     AXIS®
STERLING®     4+2®     3+1®

Trademark ownership is indicated by the symbol ®, however, for the sake of brevity it is omitted during the story.

Contact:
Brian Ball
Ernie Ball, Inc.
(800) 543-2255

Media Contact:
Keith Negrin
MORSEKODE
(952) 853-9555