ACE TONE

Ace Electronic Industries Inc, better known as Ace Tone, holds a pivotal place in the history of electronic music, credited as the foundation upon which the Roland Corporation was later built. Founded in 1960 by visionary engineer Ikutaro Kakehashi—who would later go on to shape the future of electronic instruments—Ace Tone pioneered the development of electronic organs, analog drum machines, amplifiers, and effects pedals. From its earliest amplifier models in 1963 to the groundbreaking Rhythm Ace FR-1 drum machine in 1967, Ace Tone introduced innovations that would define an era of electronic sound and lay the groundwork for future music technology giants.

Ace Tone's legacy is closely tied to the evolution of rhythm-based instruments and the rise of electronic music production. The company's breakthrough came with the FR-1, which featured automatic rhythm patterns and tempo control, marking one of the first commercially successful drum machines. This success led to a key partnership with Hammond Organ Company, elevating Ace Tone’s reach and reputation globally. The brand also explored guitar effects, introducing fuzz pedals and sound manipulation tools that prefigured the stompbox revolution. Today, Ace Tone is recognized not only for its technical achievements but also as the early incubator of ideas and technologies that would shape the DNA of modern music gear.