Are Your Guitar Strings Genuine? How to Spot the Warning Signs

There are plenty of tempting deals on guitar strings online. Some are perfectly legitimate, but an unusually low price should make you pause. Guitar strings from established brands are not generally a product with huge retail margins, so if one seller is offering a popular set for a fraction of the price you see at reputable music shops, ask yourself why.

What is the problem with counterfeit strings?

A convincing packet does not guarantee the strings inside meet the brand’s standards. Counterfeit strings may feel rough or inconsistent under your fingers, struggle to hold tuning, sound dull sooner than expected, or have a shorter playing life. Poorly made strings can be more prone to breakage, and inconsistent gauges or winding can make a guitar feel harder to play. You might find yourself changing sets more often, wiping out any saving you thought you had made.

Of course, a string that goes dead quickly is not automatically fake. Playing time, sweat, storage conditions and how you care for your strings all affect their lifespan. But if a familiar brand suddenly seems nothing like the strings you remember, the source of that set is worth checking before you write off the brand.

The hidden cost: a brand’s reputation

We sometimes hear players say, “I don’t use that brand any more. Their strings don’t last like they used to.” It is a frustrating thought, because a disappointing counterfeit can make a player blame the name printed on the packet rather than the seller who supplied it. Leading string makers have spent decades developing materials, coatings and manufacturing methods to improve tone, feel and durability. They deserve to be judged on their genuine products, not an imitation they never made.

If you have played both a genuine set and a poor imitation, the difference can be striking. More importantly, buying the real thing gives you a fair chance to judge whether that brand and set are right for your guitar and playing style.

How to protect yourself

The most reliable starting point is to buy from an authorised dealer or stockist. Check the string maker’s website for its dealer list or ask the brand directly if you are unsure. Many authorised dealers are bricks-and-mortar music shops that also sell online, so shopping on the internet does not mean giving up the reassurance of a proper retailer.

Be cautious with marketplace listings where the identity of the actual seller is unclear. Business sellers are required by law to display their business information. If that information is not readily available, beware. Compare the price with established stockists, look for clear contact and returns information, and keep your order details and packaging. If the brand offers a product-authentication method, follow its instructions. Packaging can change, so a different-looking packet on its own is not proof of a fake; when in doubt, contact the brand or the seller before fitting the strings.

A bargain is only a bargain if the strings deliver. Buy from a source you trust, and let the genuine strings speak for themselves.

Looking for your next set? Browse our acoustic guitar strings, electric guitar strings or classical guitar strings.