Guitar String Cost Tracker
Calculate how much you spend on guitar strings per year based on how many guitars you own and how often you change strings.
Annual String Cost
£331.50
Quick Fact
You spend £331.50/year on guitar strings across 3 guitars. That's roughly £110.50 per guitar per year.
What Guitar Strings Actually Cost
Standard 6-string acoustic or electric guitar set: £5-15 typical, £15-30 for premium brands (Elixir, D'Addario coated). 12-string sets: £10-25. Bass guitar (4-string): £15-35; bass 5/6-string: £25-50. Classical guitar (nylon): £8-20. Pricing varies by gauge, brand, and coating - coated strings (Elixir, D'Addario XS) cost 2-3x but last 3-5x longer.
Frequent players replace strings every 4-8 weeks; light players every 3-6 months. A gigging musician changing strings monthly spends £60-180/year on strings alone. Coated strings shift the math - £20/set every 3 months vs £8/set every month favours coated despite higher per-set cost. Beginners should start with cheaper uncoated strings while learning.
Typical Guitar String Costs
| Type | Budget set | Premium set | Coated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic 6-string | £5-8 | £12-18 | £15-25 |
| Electric 6-string | £5-10 | £12-20 | £15-25 |
| 12-string acoustic | £10-15 | £18-30 | £25-40 |
| Bass 4-string | £15-22 | £25-40 | £35-60 |
| Bass 5-string | £25-35 | £35-50 | £50-80 |
| Classical/nylon | £8-12 | £15-25 | n/a |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are coated strings worth the extra cost?
For frequent players, yes - they last 3-5x longer than uncoated. For occasional players, often not worth it because strings die from oxidation and humidity even when not played. Coated strings have a slightly different feel and tone (some prefer it; some don't).
What's the most popular brand?
D'Addario, Ernie Ball Slinky, Elixir (coated), GHS Boomers, Martin (acoustic specialty). D'Addario probably has the largest market share globally. Brand preference is highly subjective - try a few sets to find your favourite combination of feel, tone, and longevity.
Related Tools
Recording Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost of recording an EP or album including studio time, mixing, mastering, session musicians, artwork and distribution.
Hobby Cost Tracker
Track how much you spend on any hobby throughout the year. Log purchases by category and see monthly breakdowns, totals and where the money goes.