Ernie Ball vs Martin:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ernie Ball had more branded searches than Martin among guitar string brands in New Zealand. Ernie Ball had about 350 branded searches, while Martin had 60. Ernie Ball made up 36.1% of all guitar string brand searches we track, and Martin accounted for 6.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about guitar string brands, Ernie Ball appeared in all five answers and Martin in four. Ernie Ball was mentioned before Martin in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Ernie Ball, about 6 searches for every 1 for Martin
Who does AI mention more?
Ernie Ball, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Ernie Ball, named ahead of Martin in every answer
Follow Ernie Ball vs Martin and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top guitar string brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ernie Ball appeared in all five answers. Martin was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ernie Ball was listed before Martin in every answer.
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 Ernie Ball or Martin more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ernie Ball and Martin 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, Martin. 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 Ernie Ball and Martin comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ernie Ball was ahead of Martin in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Martin’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand moved from 8.1% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 80 to 60.
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, Martin lost share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 10.9% to 6.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ernie Ball’s and Martin’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.
Ernie Ball
2 branded search terms
- ernie ball
- ernie ball strings
Martin
2 branded search terms
- martin guitar strings
- martin strings
Other head-to-heads among guitar string brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.