Ace Tone

Ace Electronic Industries Inc., known as Ace Tone, was a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments — including electronic organs, analogue drum machines, amplifiers, and effects pedals — founded in 1960 by Ikutaro Kakehashi with investment from Sakata Shokai and based in Osaka, Japan. The company is widely regarded as the direct predecessor to Roland Corporation, which Kakehashi went on to establish in 1972 after departing Ace Tone. Ace Tone is notable for its Rhythm Ace drum machine series, its Fuzz Master effects pedals, and its combo organs; in the mid-1970s the ACE TONE brand was taken over by Nihon Hammond, effectively ending the original company.