Elixir Strings vs Ernie Ball:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ernie Ball had more branded searches than Elixir Strings among guitar string brands in New Zealand. Ernie Ball had about 350 branded searches, while Elixir Strings had 160. Ernie Ball made up 36.1% of all guitar string brand searches we track, and Elixir Strings accounted for 16.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about guitar string brands, both Elixir Strings and Ernie Ball appeared in all five answers. Ernie Ball was mentioned before Elixir Strings in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Ernie Ball, about 2 searches for every 1 for Elixir Strings
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Ernie Ball, named ahead of Elixir Strings in 4 of 5 answers
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Top guitar string brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Elixir Strings and Ernie Ball showed up in all five answers. Ernie Ball was listed before Elixir Strings in four of them.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
D'Addario1st- Ernie Ball2nd
Elixir Strings3rd
Martin4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- D'Addario5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ernie Ball5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Elixir Strings5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Martin4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about guitar string brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which guitar string brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best guitar string brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best guitar string brand in New Zealand for a new string set?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best guitar strings”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electric guitar strings nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Elixir Strings or Ernie Ball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Elixir Strings and Ernie Ball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four guitar string brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ernie Ball, Elixir Strings. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | D'Addario | Ernie Ball | Elixir Strings | Martin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.5% | 28.3% | 14.1% | 8.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 46% | 28% | 16% | 10% |
| Dec 2025 | 46% | 28% | 20% | 6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50% | 30.4% | 15.2% | 4.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.4% | 35.4% | 18.2% | 6.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.4% | 24.3% | 40% | 5.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.4% | 39.7% | 28.9% | 5% |
| May 2026 | 32% | 45.6% | 17.6% | 4.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 18.6% | 4.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.8% | 34.3% | 18.5% | 7.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.4% | 31.8% | 14% | 10.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 16.5% | 6.2% |
How has the Elixir Strings and Ernie Ball comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Elixir Strings took it in March 2026, Ernie Ball took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Elixir Strings’ share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand moved from 14.1% to 16.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 160.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ernie Ball’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand moved from 28.3% to 36.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 280 to 350.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand guitar string brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Ernie Ball gained share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 31.8% to 36.1%.
In September 2026, Elixir Strings gained share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 14% to 16.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Elixir Strings’ and Ernie Ball’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Elixir Strings
2 branded search terms
- elixir guitar strings
- elixir strings
Ernie Ball
2 branded search terms
- ernie ball
- ernie ball strings
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