A single replacement string costs between $0.50 and $3, depending on the type and brand

If you're replacing one broken string, you're looking at pocket change. A basic acoustic or electric string from a standard brand runs $0.50 to $1.50. Higher-end strings—coated brands like Elixir or specialty materials—land between $2 and $3 per string. You can buy them individually at any music store or online, and most places charge the same whether you buy one or six.

The real cost comes if you're paying someone else to install it. A guitar shop will typically charge $5 to $15 per string for labor, which means replacing one broken string could cost $10 to $20 total. If you do it yourself—and it takes about five minutes once you've done it once—you pay only the string itself.

Key Takeaways

  • A single replacement string costs $0.50 to $3 depending on brand and material, with basic strings at the lower end and coated or specialty strings higher.
  • Labor at a guitar shop adds $5 to $15 per string, so professional installation can double or triple your total cost.
  • Replacing a string yourself takes about five minutes and requires only the string and a wire cutter—no special tools needed.
  • Buying a full set of six strings costs $3 to $15 and makes sense if multiple strings are worn or broken.
  • String prices vary slightly by retailer and whether you buy online or in-store, but the difference is usually under $1 per string.

Why the price varies: material and coating

Standard nickel-plated steel strings are the cheapest option. They're what most acoustic and electric guitars ship with, they sound fine, and they cost $0.50 to $1 per string. They wear out faster than premium options and can feel rough on your fingers, but they're reliable.

Coated strings—Elixir is the most common brand—cost $2 to $3 per string because they have a thin polymer coating that reduces corrosion and finger noise. They last two to three times longer than uncoated strings, so some players find the higher upfront cost worth it over time. Bronze-wound acoustic strings sit in the middle at $1 to $2 per string and sound warmer than nickel-plated.

Specialty materials like phosphor bronze or stainless steel push toward the $2 to $3 range. The difference is mostly tone and longevity—a beginner won't hear a huge difference, but a player who practices daily will notice how long a string lasts and how it sounds as it ages.

Buying one string versus a full set

If only one string is broken, buying a single replacement makes sense. Most music stores sell individual strings, and online retailers like Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, and Amazon do too. You'll pay the per-string price plus shipping if you order online, so buying in-store saves a few dollars if you need it right away.

A full set of six strings costs $3 to $15 depending on the brand and type. Buying a set is cheaper per string than buying six individually, and it makes sense if you're replacing multiple worn strings or if you want backup strings on hand. Many players keep a spare set in their gig bag.

Installing the string yourself versus paying for labor

Replacing a string takes about five minutes once you know how. You need the string, a wire cutter, and access to the tuning pegs and bridge. Most guitars come with a small wrench for the truss rod, but you don't need it for string replacement—just your hands.

The basic steps: loosen the tuning peg until the string is slack, remove the old string from the bridge and tuning peg, thread the new string through the bridge, wind it around the tuning peg, and tune it up. YouTube has thousands of videos showing the exact process for your guitar type, and watching one takes less time than driving to a shop.

If you pay a shop, expect $5 to $15 per string in labor. Some shops charge a flat fee ($10 to $20) if you're replacing multiple strings at once. For a single string, the labor often costs more than the string itself, which is why most players learn to do it themselves.

Where to buy replacement strings

Music stores like Guitar Center, local independent shops, and online retailers all stock standard strings. Prices are similar across retailers—usually within $0.50 of each other. Online ordering is cheaper if you buy in bulk or if your local store doesn't stock the exact brand you want, but you'll wait for shipping.

Amazon, Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, and Reverb all carry individual strings and full sets. Local shops often match online prices if you ask, and you get the string when ready. If you're in a pinch and need a string today, a local shop is your only option—and the $1 or $2 difference is worth not waiting.

Acoustic versus electric string costs

Acoustic strings cost slightly more than electric strings because they're thicker and use different materials. A basic acoustic string runs $0.75 to $1.50, while an electric string is $0.50 to $1. The difference narrows with premium brands—both acoustic and electric coated strings land around $2 to $3.

Don't mix them up. Acoustic strings are wound differently and will sound dull on an electric guitar. Electric strings on an acoustic will sound thin and break more easily. Buy the type that matches your guitar.

Signs your string needs replacing

A string is ready to replace when it sounds dull or flat even after tuning, when it feels rough or corroded to the touch, or when it breaks. Strings also wear faster at the frets where you play most often—if you see visible grooves or discoloration, replacement is coming soon.

Many players replace all six strings at once every 3 to 6 months if they play daily, or once a year if they play casually. Replacing one broken string in the meantime is normal. If you're replacing strings more than once a month, you may be tuning too aggressively or playing a lot harder than average.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace just one string or do I have to buy a full set?

You can buy and replace a single string. Most music stores sell individual strings, and it's the cheapest option if only one is broken. Full sets make sense if multiple strings are worn or if you want backups.

How long does a guitar string last?

Standard strings last 1 to 3 months with daily playing, or 6 to 12 months with casual playing. Coated strings last two to three times longer. Strings wear faster if you play aggressively, sweat a lot, or don't clean your hands before playing.

Is it worth paying a shop to replace a string?

Only if you've never done it and want to watch someone do it first, or if you're uncomfortable handling your guitar. The labor ($5 to $15) usually costs more than the string ($0.50 to $3), and the job takes five minutes. Learning to do it yourself saves money over time.

What's the difference between coated and uncoated strings?

Coated strings have a thin polymer layer that reduces corrosion and finger noise, and they last two to three times longer. They cost $2 to $3 per string versus $0.50 to $1 for uncoated. The tone is slightly different—coated strings sound a bit duller at first but stay consistent longer.

Do I need special tools to replace a string?

No. You need the string itself and a wire cutter to trim the excess. Most people use kitchen scissors or a utility knife. Some tuning pegs have a small hole you thread the string through, and some you wind the string around—your guitar's design determines which, but both work with just your hands.