Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Of Mice & Men

"Guitar playing is kind of like therapy... you can go and not think about things for a while, and just feel. It’s pretty cool." In this episode Ernie Ball​ artists, Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby from Of Mice & Men discuss their beginnings with guitar, their love of playing, and their relationship with Ernie Ball.
String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players.
Watch additional episodes of Ernie Ball: String Theory here: ernieb.al/1QtdTx9
Of Mice & Men play Ernie Ball Super Slinky electric guitar strings: ernieb.al/2OLPp9k

[@madmikemike]

These dudes are rad. They are humble and don’t think they’re something that they’re not. They’ve always wrote such awesome riffs. The tradition continues, cheers for the inspiration fellas!

[@DwightLivesMatter]

Dagomon They're sellouts though.

[@kizu4381]

Dwight Lives Matter explain plz

[@jessebeeghly3608]

@@kizu4381They’ve become softer with less edge then their early albums is probably what he’s eluding too, but I just seen them live with Bullet for my Valentine and they were plenty heavy. So yeah their studio stuff may not be super heavy anymore, but live they certainly still are. So all in all he’s just hating.

[@L3AF]

You guys play so clean its insane...

[@fluffytoaster427]

Both of their tones are epic. I haven't seen what they use nowadays but it sounds really good. I remember their Mesa/Boogie's from like 2011 though

[@L3AF]

if i remember correct. Alan uses axe fx because he was tired of blowing tubes on live show where he once was out and had no sound for the rest of the show. Meanwhile Phil uses the hughes and kettner amp trimark if i recall correct. dont quote me to be 100% correct but something along those lines

[@KRayxKodessA]

On record, or in this video? The tones in this video are super muddy and fizzy. I dig their recorded tones, but this is kinda rough.

[@fluffytoaster427]

Well both really. On record, I remember their tones being so in your face. Apparently they were able to use one of the super rare Les Paul baritones from 2003 to record their material in A. But even in this interview, I don't think the fuzz sounds bad at all. It's a departure from a Dual Recto for sure but still doesn't sounds half bad to my ears.

[@jyoutube1233]

fluffytoaster427 they’ve used a whole tonne of amps/cabs etc on their records since Restoring Force. The first two were podfarm given Joey Sturgis produced them. I think they used a Wizard amp on the mist recent one iirc.

[@oshikiri999]

@@KRayxKodessA dude if you've ever played live, that "fizzy" tone actually cuts remarkably well. I used to have the same perception...until i played with American Sin and realized THAT tone is fucking amazing in a live mix!

[@ranterdude5627]

Well, you know, it's like, you know, rock. You know.

[@raydog_97]

Ok Shayko 😂🤘

[@joseldlcm4182]

I love the intro of the begin

[@Oilid]

"Enter Sandman" for 6 months!!!!!! 😁👍

[@L3AF]

we all learn at different speeds. i have strugled with Bones exposed solo for well over 3 months its not to hard of a solo but i dont learn that fast. Ive been used to playing only rythm guitar (for 1 ish year) that was fine not hard imo but when i swap to lead. And tried to play solo's it took longer time then usual. But now i am on more advance solo's and learning them faster and if not better than before. What i am getting at is we are all humans we are different.

[@Oilid]

@@L3AF Yep! 😉👍

[@belabranca9]

Exit Sandman.

[@nickkduhh]

Dude hearing phil say showcase theatre brought back so many memories. I live in the city where showcase was and its missed by all of us metal heads and punk heads. Makes me wonder if you live out here

[@ukesongs]

I appreciate music more now than I ever have before. Directly tied to my love for music is my admiration for the musicians who dedicate their lives to creating the music I love so much! As I've become more engaged in teaching music to others, I now 'listen with purpose' - with a heightened sense of meaning. I am hearing parts of the songs I've never heard before, and for the first time, I'm thinking about exactly how the music was created.

[@LightsOfEmotions]

You guys are one of my most favorite guitarist ever your styles are incredible.

[@rafaelj.9807]

They have great and heavy riffs

[@gus26_77]

THAT GUITAR OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO B E A U T I F U L!

[@LightsOfEmotions]

You guys are huge inspirations to me as a musician I hope to see you live someday or even meet you guys.

[@falselycathartic6052]

this was amazing to hear- i always want more music in an album as it’s never quite enough. of mice & men is definitely one of the bands that even though i love the songs they do have, i want more. seeing them live was amazing i just wish i could hear it like that all the time- full of so much raw energy from the crowd & passion from everyone in the band

[@frankunodostres473]

underrated guys! they might not play the flashiest solos all the time (although there are some good one) but the write very cool riffs and harmonies. plus look at that flashy guitar!

[@seanc2208]

0:59-1:10 when you get too stoned and reflect on all your life choices

[@RocksplayTV]

love this band

[@DatMetalBoi75]

Alan's swirl finish Ibanez looks and sounds fantastic

[@roryrobles]

Matt Elrod he's playing a Legator guitar

[@brycejohannesson363]

It’s Phil’s Ibanez

[@L3AF]

@@roryrobles no its ibanez.

[@Monst3rCaptain]

I wish that one day I will be that cool wearing sunglasses indoors

[@degeneffeproductions2668]

Why's Phil look like the nerd that Alan hired to do his homework

[@Bagusalit_official]

Allan ashby clean sound guitar very beatifull ❤🎉

[@sigronninorios4089]

Of Mice & Men forever! \m/

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

When I loose my shit, there’s Metal to hug me and hear me screaming and punch stuff, cry painfully and then breath and go back to me, love is this stuff that’s very painful when you are a kid and then a teenager, I was very hurted at high school and still being hunted by that old and new daemons, but Metal is the only one that really understands me and loves me and for a moment takes all the pain away, OM&M was an important discover for me cuz I was feeling shit for someone and really knew I was not the only one feeling that way and fighting against a progressive illness that’s Duchenne Muscular Distrophy (maybe one of the facts why every girl I meet don’t likes me, but I’m 18, fuck them!!!) and Austin inspired me to not drown and throw all my anger to the strings and write everything, no matter if people think I hate women on my lyrics or hate everyone, Metal is showing yourself, your happiness, your pain, that’s what Metal is about

[@jongiuliani1]

@madmikemike agreed bro...these dudes together elevate it to the next fucking level. Total chemistry that elevates these guys

[@sahirytube]

Daammnn?!! Phil's voice is so fucking deep.

[@louie9373]

It's beautiful when it's done correctly, but it's not beautiful when I do it. lol

[@AndresCruz-mb2ir]

Why do I get the feeling Alan maybe potentially high in this video🤔

[@DwightLivesMatter]

Andres Cruz That's because he's always high. He said it himself he started weed when he was a lot younger and he hasn't stopped, he even has sunglasses on because the production lights are too much to bear while high. They really aren't as inspirational as people display them to be, they're just regular assholes like anyone else.

[@Ashermusic22]

@@DwightLivesMatter you're way out on a limb and talking out your ass lmao you dont know that hes always high

[@is_-cw8xd]

Pretty sure Alan is always high but man at a VIP they were the best and friendliest. Some people come out of their shells a little more when they’re high 🤷‍♂️

[@AndresCruz-mb2ir]

Ignacio Sanchez yea I met them back in October of last year they were great dudes

[@matthewmcilvain9989]

Weeds legal who cares

[@lostlittlenoobvt]

Anyone know what the song at 2:12 is?

[@mathewjuarez8335]

Bones exposed

[@alexschech7494]

does anyone know the he song is playing 8:48 minutes in?

[@robbiexbaker]

Would you still be there

[@stephsevis8417]

These are my favourite fucking dudes rock on guys 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@kelseywhite55]

Ernie Ball can we please get an .11-.56 string set?

[@roxanna1971]

Middle school memories 😅

[@max_c3318]

Where can I get an ibanez like that?

[@wheatrock]

They say they use 11-56, yet Ernie Ball doesn’t make a set in this gauge. D’Addario does, however. I have a hard time believing they piece together singles to create a set of EB’s in this gauge. Just sayin...

[@kevinbothwell8425]

A bass player buddy of mine has custom sets of bass strings he buys from... I forget the company. My buddy was one of the bigger Nashville guys back in the 80s and 90s I guess and got in good with a company. I can't imagine it being uncommon for string companies to throw together custom sets for their artist. That said - I'm a drummer and know next to nothing about the guitar world. Love this video though!

[@benjipc5637]

At 4:42 there's a box full of Super Slinky being shown, and at 13:38 you could see a wound 3rd string on Phil's Ibanez, so I'm guessing they replace the high 9 string with a low 56. Btw I'm also not an EB user, I prefer the other brand you mentioned.

[@raydog_97]

Benji PC Hell I do that too, the 24P sucks and is a pain in the ass to keep in tune. I got rid of that 24P and replaced it with a 24W.

[@lagiacrusproductions3619]

What’s the first song he’s playing?

[@raydog_97]

It’s just a random riff, it’s not an actual song

[@teeheegirli]

The first song played is Bones Exposed

[@zesquil]

Anyone know the song at 6:42???

[@surrexerunt9525]

Would you still be there I'm pretty sure

[@zesquil]

@ZeeManCan been listening to all their albums, I saw them live once before just never downloaded their songs lol they're amazing though!

[@zesquil]

@ZeeManCan I saw them at Texas mutiny in Dallas

[@zesquil]

@ZeeManCan it was 2 years ago I believe I'm not too sure

[@zesquil]

@ZeeManCan then yes I did lol

[@birdsaresinners3373]

what's the song at 11:35

[@nickdow7020]

You Make Me Sick

[@mattycavalcanti]

Of Mice & Men - You make me sick, if you still want to know.

[@johnstrickland8683]

Song at 3:00?

[@blacklotus2136]

Bones exposed

[@imraanakollo-arenz1449]

What song is Phil playing in the beginning?

[@imraanakollo-arenz1449]

@@connerkerrison2579 so that's how it sounds kinda acoustically

[@connerkerrison2579]

Imraan Akollo-Arenz never mind I’m dumb I didn’t know you meant very beginning. I believe it’s actually My Understandings

[@imraanakollo-arenz1449]

@@connerkerrison2579 I don't mind it I don't mind it. I should have been clearer but I need to find this version

[@raydog_97]

Imraan Akollo-Arenz I think he’s just playing a random riff that he made, it’s not a song

[@joshhennes1844]

Song at 11:35 anyone??

[@jessicadavid9649]

You make me sick

[@mattycavalcanti]

Of Mice & Men - You make me sick, if you still want to know.

[@wesdees6085]

That job for a cowboy comment though

[@tobiferreyra666]

1000 (y) lml

[@p0pC0rnable]

whats the name of the song in the beginning?

[@playitloud_8142]

Let me know when you find out

[@p0pC0rnable]

@@playitloud_8142 hopefully a hardcore fan would comment soon

[@dev-ms6ls]

the clean chords at the very beginning not too sure... but if it's the first heavier song they play that you're after the name of, it's Bones Exposed

[@josuesamaniego182]

My Understandings

[@MsKeisu]

@@josuesamaniego182 Looks similar but it's not the same chords

[@hurdygurdyman3134]

What a terrible band name

[@raydog_97]

Said no one ever

[@hurdygurdyman3134]

@@raydog_97 says me, they are very talented musicians with a lot of fantastic shit under their belt they can handle having their name made fun of

[@raydog_97]

Jay Bauer How is the name terrible

[@raydog_97]

Jay Bauer There’s nothing terrible about this name and yeah there is a book with the same name but it’s not a terrible name in fact I’ve seen worse

[@Alex19II]

These guys are the worst.

[@mikiryann5882]

I dont see you doing anything impressive

[@raydog_97]

Alex White Said no one ever