The 8 best acoustic guitar steel string brands in 2026
D'Addario, Ernie Ball and GHS lead our ranking of 8 acoustic guitar steel string brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Acoustic Guitar Steel String brands, ranked
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1
D'Addario
D'Addario makes a wide range of steel acoustic guitar strings, including its popular phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze sets.
Website: daddario.com |Brands like D'Addario
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball makes steel acoustic strings, including its Earthwood line in bronze and phosphor bronze gauges.
Website: ernieball.com |Brands like Ernie Ball
Popularity 8.0/10
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3
GHS
GHS makes steel acoustic guitar strings, known for its Boomers and other bronze and phosphor bronze sets.
Website: ghsstrings.com |Brands like GHS
Popularity 5.2/10
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4
Dean Markley
Dean Markley makes steel acoustic guitar strings, including its Blue Steel and ProMag lines for acoustic players.
Website: deanmarkley.com |Brands like Dean Markley
Popularity 4.0/10
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5
Martin
Martin makes steel acoustic guitar strings sold under its own name, alongside its guitars, in several bronze and phosphor bronze gauges.
Website: magazine.astonmartin.com |Brands like Martin
Popularity 4.0/10
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6
Elixir Strings
Elixir makes steel acoustic strings with a polymer coating, sold in bronze and phosphor bronze sets for acoustic guitars.
Website: elixirstrings.com |Brands like Elixir Strings
Popularity 2.8/10
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7
Jim Dunlop
Jim Dunlop makes steel acoustic strings under its Dunlop and Phosphor Bronze names, in a range of gauges.
Website: jimdunlop.com |Brands like Jim Dunlop
Popularity 2.4/10
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8
Rotosound
Rotosound makes steel acoustic guitar strings, known for its bronze and phosphor bronze sets sold under its own name.
Website: rotosound.com |Brands like Rotosound
Popularity 1.0/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario | daddario.com | – | – | – | – |
| Ernie Ball | ernieball.com | /ernieball | ernieball | @ernieball | ernieballinc |
| GHS | ghsstrings.com | – | – | – | – |
| Dean Markley | deanmarkley.com | /DeanMarkleyUSA | deanmarkleyusa | @deanmarkleyusa | Dean Markley USA |
| Martin | magazine.astonmartin.com | /astonmartin | astonmartinlagonda | @astonmartin | – |
| Elixir Strings | elixirstrings.com | /elixirstrings | elixir_strings | @ElixirStrings | ElixirStringsMedia |
| Jim Dunlop | jimdunlop.com | /dunlopmanufacturing | jimdunlopusa | @jimdunlopusa | jimdunlopusa |
| Rotosound | rotosound.com | /Rotosound | rotosound_uk | @rotosound_uk | – |
