Strings Market Value
Analysis of 46,165 eBay listings for instrument strings.
What you'll usually pay
💡 Buying used saves about 11% here.
👉 In short easy summary
The best value is found in 1-string sets and Martin brand strings, both showing a -28% delta from the median. Bass guitar strings command the highest premium at 55% above the market median.
💚 Best value for your money
Price by number of strings
Why? Prices scale with string count, peaking at 4 strings (26.99) and lowest at 1 string (12.95).
Price by suitable for
Why? Specialized bass guitar strings are the most expensive (27.91) compared to acoustic electric options (13.19).
Price by brand
Why? Premium brands like Elixir (19.99) cost more than unbranded alternatives (12.98).
Price by string gauge
Why? Pricing varies by gauge, with 0.012 gauge (16.56) costing more than 0.008 gauge (12.99).
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Common questions
What is the median price for new versus used strings?
The median price for new strings is 17.99, while used strings are 15.99.
Which brand of strings is the most affordable on average?
Martin and Unbranded strings are the most affordable, both with a median of 12.95 to 12.98.
How much more do bass guitar strings cost compared to the market median?
Bass guitar strings have a median price of 27.91, which is a 55% increase over the market median.
How we got these numbers
Worked out from 200 live eBay listings (price range $7–$50, odd outliers ignored). These are asking prices, so use them as a guide. Last checked July 3, 2026.