Top Acoustic Guitar String Brands: Tune Your Soundmastery

Choosing the right set of acoustic guitar strings can significantly improve your playing experience, enhancing both sound quality and comfort. When selecting strings, factors like tone, durability, and price play a crucial role. Some top brands renowned for their exceptional acoustic guitar strings include Elixir, known for their long-lasting coating; D'Addario, praised for their versatility and rich tone; and Ernie Ball, popular for their bright sound and affordability. For a deeper understanding of each brand and to explore other leading options, see the detailed list below.

Illustration of acoustic guitar strings

Best brands of acoustic guitar strings in 2025

D'Addario

D'Addario, a family-owned business since the 1600s and formally established in 1974, is a leading producer of acoustic guitar strings, having pioneered the use of 80/20 bronze alloy in the 1930s and phosphor bronze in 1974, which is now the most popular acoustic string alloy; their strings, including the popular EJ16 light gauge, are manufactured in the USA and known for their reliable, bright tone and high quality, with a significant share of the global guitar string market which was valued at $745.2 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $1.16 billion by 2032; D'Addario provides a wide range of options for different playing styles and tonal preferences, making them an industry standard for both professional and beginner guitarists.

Elixir

Elixir, founded in 1997, is a leading American brand renowned for its high-quality acoustic guitar strings, utilizing a unique, ultra-thin coating technology like NANOWEB and POLYWEB that extends the strings' life and provides a long-lasting tone. Their innovative approach, stemming from initial work with coated cables, resulted in strings that resist corrosion and maintain excellent sound, making them a favorite among professionals. While some players find coated strings feel different, many users report they provide great value and improve their playing experience, making them a popular choice with a significant market share.

Martin

C.F. Martin & Co., with a history dating back to 1796, is a top producer of acoustic guitar strings, known for their quality and performance. They offer popular lines like the Authentic Acoustic SP, which are crafted with tin-plated wire to resist corrosion and provide a balanced tone. Their strings are used by iconic musicians such as Eric Clapton and are favored by many guitarists, continuing to innovate in the string market. This makes them a trusted choice for players around the world.

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball, established in 1962, is a leading American manufacturer of guitar strings, known for pioneering custom-gauge guitar strings and becoming a premier choice for musicians globally, with their Earthwood series being a top seller, using an 80/20 bronze alloy for a warm, crisp sound and their phosphor bronze strings which are made of 92% copper, 7.7% tin, and 0.3% phosphorus, ensuring a bright tone. Ernie Ball strings have been used by iconic musicians, and the company has experienced growth between 8 and 13 percent annually. The global guitar strings market was valued at USD 745.2 million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 1165.84 million by 2032, which indicates the importance of the sector. You can explore their acoustic guitar string selection online.

Gibson

Gibson, established in 1902, is a renowned manufacturer of acoustic guitar strings, offering a variety of options like their Masterbuilt series, crafted for rich and authentic tones; while they held 17.21% of the global guitar market share in 2020, their strings are often praised for their balanced sound, though some players note their durability can be similar to non-coated strings and may not be the longest lasting; their strings are available in popular materials like 80/20 bronze and phosphor bronze, and different gauges such as the light 0.012 gauge, which accounted for 46.7% of the market share in 2020; despite some reviews citing that other brands offer similar quality at lower prices, many Gibson players prefer their strings for their specific tone on Gibson guitars.

DR Strings

DR Strings, established in 1989, is a family-owned American company renowned for its hand-wound, high-quality acoustic guitar strings, using the finest American materials, and known for their innovative designs like the long-lasting VERITAS™ strings with Accurate Core Technology that can last up to 4 times longer than ordinary strings, as well as their RARE™ series which are known for a warm and loud tone with low tension. They are a top brand in the guitar string market alongside other major companies but are known for their hand craftsmanship. DR Strings aims to provide players with an enhanced sonic experience, ensuring excellent sustain and tonal clarity, and they continue to innovate with new designs from their testing lab.

Fender

Fender, a renowned brand in the music industry, produces high-quality acoustic guitar strings, with their 80/20 bronze strings delivering a bright tone suitable for guitars with a darker sound. In contrast, their phosphor bronze strings offer a warmer tone. The light gauge strings, which accounted for 46.7% of the market share in 2020, are among the most popular for their ease of play. Fender also provides coated strings for extended life and is considered a major player in the guitar string market, which was valued at $750.3 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $938.2 million by 2030.

Thomastik-Infeld

Thomastik-Infeld, established in Vienna in 1919, has been crafting high-quality strings for over a century, and is known for its innovative approach to string design, initially introducing steel strings which provided greater stability than traditional gut strings. They produce around 4.2 million strings annually, with 97% of them being exported to 85 countries worldwide, and the company employs over 200 people, where 78% of the employees are women. Thomastik-Infeld offers a wide array of strings, from traditional instruments to guitars, and their acoustic guitar strings are particularly favored for their balanced tone and suitability for recording. Their latest innovation, the Infeld Bronze series, features phosphor bronze strings and has been well-received by musicians.

GHS Strings

GHS Strings, founded in 1964, has become a leading manufacturer of acoustic guitar strings, known for its dedication to innovation and quality. Utilizing materials like phosphor bronze with a copper, tin, and phosphor alloy over a hex core, these strings offer a bright and long-lasting tone. The company is estimated to generate $7.5 million in revenue per year. Trusted by many famous artists across genres, GHS is a top choice for musicians seeking exceptional tone and durability, with the brand offering a wide variety of acoustic string types.

John Pearse

John Pearse, founded by the late legendary musician John Pearse, is a highly regarded producer of acoustic guitar strings, celebrated for their superior craftsmanship and consistent quality, with many musicians preferring their phosphor bronze or 80/20 alloy strings, citing a balance of tone, playability, and longevity. The brand, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, offers a variety of gauges and materials, with a reputation that has solidified their place among the best for both working musicians and enthusiasts. Discover more about their products here.