Dean Markley Strings
Dean Markley Strings, founded in 1972, manufactures and sells musical instrument strings, pickups, and cables directly to consumers globally via Shopify. It serves professional musicians, hobbyists, and fans of its artist-endorsed signature lines using proprietary technologies including Blue Steel cryogenic treatment and Blackhawk coating.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersGlendale, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dean Markley Strings does
Dean Markley Strings is a privately held manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of musical instrument strings, pickups, cables, and accessories, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Glendale, Arizona. The company sells through its Shopify-powered website to a global customer base with multi-currency support, serving professional and touring musicians, hobbyists, and fans of its artist-endorsed signature lines.
The product portfolio spans electric, acoustic, bass, classical, mandolin, banjo, bajo, and ukulele strings, supported by three proprietary manufacturing technologies: Blue Steel cryogenic treatment (freezing strings with liquid nitrogen to -320°F for tighter molecular structure and claimed 3X longer life), compound winding for bass strings (using a 60% core-to-cover tension ratio with cross-hatched covers), and Blackhawk micro-thin coating (claimed 4X string life extension). Sub-brands include Blue Steel, Blackhawk, NickelSteel Signature Series, Vintage Bronze, Signature Series, and an Artist Series featuring signature strings from seven professional musicians.
Revenue is generated through one-time unit purchases priced between $5.99 and $54.99 (most products $5.99-$39.99), with free shipping on orders over $50 and no subscription or recurring billing models. The company relies on brand heritage (50+ years), proprietary manufacturing technology, and artist endorsements as primary differentiation, with marketing distributed across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, email newsletters, and organic SEO on its Shopify storefront.
Dean Markley Strings firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dean Markley Strings
- Legal name
- Dean Markley
- Website
- https://deanmarkley.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dean Markley Strings, founded in 1972, manufactures and sells musical instrument strings, pickups, and cables directly to consumers globally via Shopify. It serves professional musicians, hobbyists, and fans of its artist-endorsed signature lines using proprietary technologies including Blue Steel cryogenic treatment and Blackhawk coating.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dean Markley Strings industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Musical Instrument Strings
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140), Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Musical Instrument Retail (Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Band/Orchestra) (CRALAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA), Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE), Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent) (CRALAEAC), Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Dean Markley Strings is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glendale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dean Markley Strings business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- String Product Sales: Primary revenue from selling guitar strings across multiple categories including acoustic, electric, bass, classical, mandolin, banjo, bajo, and ukulele strings. Products are sold directly through the e-commerce storefront with various price points based on string type and gauge.
- Accessories Sales: Revenue from complementary music accessories including pickups (acoustic soundhole pickups, transducers), cables (instrument cables, patch cables, speaker cables), and maintenance products (polishing cloths, guitar polish).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Acoustic Strings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electric Strings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bass Strings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Strings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cables |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pickups |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Dean Markley Strings product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dean Markley designs, manufactures, and sells musical instrument strings (acoustic, electric, bass, classical, mandolin, banjo, bajo, ukulele), pickups, instrument cables, and guitar care accessories. The company applies proprietary manufacturing processes, including Blue Steel cryogenic treatment (-320°F liquid nitrogen freezing), Compound Winding technology for bass strings, and Blackhawk micro-thin coating, to deliver strings marketed as lasting up to 3-4X longer than standard alternatives with enhanced tone and tuning stability.
Product overview
Dean Markley is an iconic guitar product company established in 1972, offering a comprehensive portfolio of musical instrument strings and accessories. The core product lines include electric guitar strings (Blackhawk Coated, Blue Steel, NickelSteel Signature Series), acoustic guitar strings (Blackhawk Coated in 80/20 and Pure Bronze, Blue Steel, Vintage Bronze Signature Series), bass strings (Blue Steel in stainless steel and nickel-plated variants, Signature Series, SR2000 compound wound), classical strings (Ball End Nylon, Master Series), and specialty strings for mandolin, banjo, bajo, and ukulele. The company also features an Artist Series with signature strings from professional musicians including Dj Ashba, Doyle, John 5, Lita Ford, Malina Moye, Orianthi, and Tully Kennedy. Complementary product categories include acoustic pickups (Artist Transducer, ProMag single coil and humbucker), instrument cables (Blue Steel patch, instrument, and speaker cables), and guitar care accessories (microfiber polishing cloth, guitar polish). The Blue Steel technology line incorporates cryogenic treatment using liquid nitrogen for enhanced durability and tone across strings and cables.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Blue Steel: Cryogenically treated strings and cables product line featuring liquid nitrogen treatment for enhanced tone and durability.
- Blackhawk
- NickelSteel Signature Series
- Vintage Bronze
- Signature Series
- Artist Series
Products and services
- Blue Steel Electric Guitar Strings Cryogenically treated electric guitar strings made of 8% nickel-plated steel on tinned mandolin wire hex core, marketed as lasting up to 3X longer than standard strings with enhanced tone and feel. For professional and hobbyist electric guitar players.
- Blackhawk Coated Electric Guitar Strings High-carbon nickel-plated steel core electric guitar strings with micro-thin Blackhawk coating providing up to 4X longer life than uncoated strings, with sustained tuning and break-resistant construction. For electric guitar players seeking extended string life.
- NickelSteel Signature Series Electric Guitar Strings Hand-wound nickel-plated steel electric guitar strings over a hex core for 100% contact, designed to deliver maximum sustain and warm, full classic rock and roll tone. For players seeking a vintage classic rock tone.
- Blackhawk Coated 80/20 Acoustic Strings Coated 80/20 bronze acoustic strings with high-carbon nickel-plated steel wire core and micro-thin coating providing sparkling tone, warm rich sound, and up to 4X longer life than uncoated strings. For acoustic guitar players wanting coated string longevity.
- Blackhawk Coated Acoustic Strings (Pure Bronze) Coated pure bronze acoustic strings with Blackhawk micro-thin coating delivering sparkling tone, warm rich sound, and extended lifespan. For acoustic guitar players preferring a pure bronze tonal profile.
- Blue Steel Acoustic Guitar Strings Cryogenically frozen acoustic guitar strings crafted from 92% copper and 8% zinc (phosphor bronze), treated to -320°F for tighter molecular structure, consistent tone, and up to 3X longer life. For professional and serious acoustic guitar players.
- Vintage Bronze Signature Series Acoustic Strings Original formula bronze acoustic strings (85% copper, 15% zinc) available since 1972, delivering clarity, tone, and response. For acoustic players seeking a vintage bronze tonal character.
- Blue Steel Bass Strings Stainless steel bass strings cryogenically treated for brilliant punchy tone, featuring Compound Winding technology with cross-hatched covers for smooth surface and flexible core. For bass guitar players seeking punchy bright tone and durability.
- Blue Steel Nickel Plated Bass Strings Cryogenically frozen bass strings with nickel-plated steel winding, offering warm rich tone, massive resonance, and longevity; available in 4 and 5 string sets with Compound Winding technology. For bass guitar players preferring a warm nickel tone.
- Signature Series Bass Strings Nickel-plated steel bass strings with solid, full bright sound and smooth feel, available in 4 and 5-string sets with long-lasting tone. For bass guitar players seeking reliable bright tone and long string life.
- SR2000 Bass Strings Compound wound bass strings featuring multiple layers of cross-hatched covers built with incremental wire sizes, creating silky smooth surface with flexible core for massive tone and revved up performance; available in 4, 5, 6, and 7 string sets. For advanced bass guitar players needing extended range sets.
- Classical Guitar Strings Classical and fingerstyle guitar strings including Ball End Nylon strings for easy installation and the Master Series professional-grade strings. For classical guitar players.
- Phos Bronze Mandolin Strings Phosphor bronze mandolin strings constructed with 92/8 bronze alloy on hex core, delivering power, punch, heavenly tone, sonic luster, and clarity with brilliant balance. For mandolin players.
- Banjo Strings Strings designed specifically for banjo instruments, providing appropriate tension and tone for banjo playing. For banjo players.
- Bajo Strings Strings designed for bajo instruments (Latin American bass guitar), offering appropriate tone and playability. For bajo players.
- Ukulele Strings Strings designed for soprano ukulele instruments, providing appropriate tone and feel. For ukulele players.
- Artist Series Signature Strings Signature strings co-designed with professional artists including DJ Ashba (10-48), Doyle (10-60), John 5 (9-42), Lita Ford (9-46), Malina Moye (9-42 Extra Light, nickel plated, round wound, hex core), Orianthi (9-52), and Tully Kennedy (bass). For fans of these artists and players seeking artist-specified gauges and constructions.
- Acoustic Guitar Pickups Acoustic guitar pickups including Artist Transducer pickups for amplifying acoustic instruments, ProMag single-coil soundhole pickups, and ProMag Humbucker soundhole pickups offering humbucking design for reduced noise. For acoustic guitarists needing amplification.
- Blue Steel Instrument Cables Cryogenically treated instrument cables in 10, 20, and 30 ft lengths with straight or right-angle connectors, offering brighter transparent tonal quality. For electric guitarists and bassists.
- Blue Steel Patch Cables Cryogenically treated 6-inch patch cables sold in 3-packs, featuring blue woven exterior, solid construction, durable long life, and lifetime warranty. For pedalboard users.
- Blue Steel Speaker Cables Cryogenically treated speaker cables in 3, 6, and 10 ft lengths providing superior signal transmission for speaker connections. For guitarists and bassists connecting amplifiers to cabinets.
- Micro Fiber Polishing Cloth 18x18-inch soft microfiber cloth for polishing and maintaining guitars, keeping instruments shiny and pristine. For guitar owners needing instrument care.
- Guitar Polish 3 fl oz (90 ml) spray bottle guitar polish for everyday cleaning and polishing, providing smooth streak-free shine with a concentrated formula that protects instrument finish. For guitar owners needing instrument care.
Quantifiable outcome
- Blue Steel strings last up to 3X longer than standard strings
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dean Markley Strings
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dean Markley Strings technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Dean Markley Strings partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- DJ AshbaminorProfessional musician and Guns N' Roses guitarist with signature electric guitar strings (10-48 gauge). Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- DoyleminorGuitarist with signature electric guitar strings (10-60 gauge). Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- John 5minorRenowned guitarist (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson) with signature electric guitar strings (9-42 gauge). Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- Lita FordminorRock legend with signature electric guitar strings (9-46 gauge). Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- Malina MoyeminorSinger/songwriter/lefty guitarist endorsed by Guitar World Magazine as top guitarist. Signature artist series set with Extra Light 9-42 tension, nickel plated, round wound, hex core. Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- OrianthiminorGrammy-nominated guitarist with signature electric guitar strings (9-52 gauge). Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- Tully KennedyminorBass guitarist (Disney's Jam with Jamie) with signature bass strings. Artist endorsement and co-branded product line.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform provider hosting the Dean Markley online store. Provides the infrastructure for online sales, payment processing, and inventory management.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Dean Markley Strings competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Gibson: Iconic guitar maker that markets its own strings and accessories alongside instruments. Overlaps with Dean Markley in strings/accessories as part of a much wider instrument and gear portfolio, rather than as a specialty competitor.
- Fender: Largest US guitar manufacturer that also sells its own branded strings, picks, cables, and accessories through massive global retail. Indirect competitor on strings but operates a vastly broader product portfolio than Dean Markley.
- Martin Strings: C.F. Martin markets its own acoustic string line alongside its premium acoustic guitars. Overlaps with Dean Markley's acoustic string SKUs as part of a broader guitar manufacturer portfolio rather than as a string specialist.
Direct peers
- DR Strings: US-based string manufacturer focused on hand-made, bright-sounding guitar and bass strings with proprietary coating (DR Dragon Skin). Comparable specialty/coated-string positioning to Dean Markley's Blackhawk line.
- La Bella Strings: Long-standing US string maker (founded 1913) producing guitar, bass, and orchestral strings with a deep catalog similar in breadth to Dean Markley's acoustic, electric, bass, and classical offerings.
- Ernie Ball: Manufacturer of Slinky guitar and bass strings with strong artist endorsement program (John Mayer, Metallica). Direct competitor in the same SKU categories as Dean Markley, with comparable global distribution and premium-positioned coated alternatives (Paradigm).
- D'Addario: Largest independent guitar string manufacturer globally, selling through extensive wholesale, DTC, and Amazon channels. Closely comparable to Dean Markley in product (acoustic, electric, bass strings across many sub-brands including NYXL and XT) and in serving professional and hobbyist guitarists.
- Elixir Strings: Coated guitar string specialist owned by D'Addario, marketed on extended tone life — the exact same value proposition as Dean Markley's Blackhawk coated line. Most directly comparable peer on coated-string product positioning.
- GHS Strings: Independent US-based string manufacturer with broad catalog of guitar and bass strings across multiple materials. Comparable mid-sized competitor serving similar professional and hobbyist segments as Dean Markley.
Emerging players
- Cleartone Strings: Niche coated-string brand competing directly with Dean Markley Blackhawk and Elixir on extended-life string claims. Smaller scale than Dean Markley but addresses the same coated-string use case.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dean Markley Strings social profiles
Digital presenceDean Markley Strings financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dean Markley Strings leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Dean Markley Strings funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dean Markley Strings M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dean Markley Strings
What does Dean Markley Strings do?
Dean Markley designs, manufactures, and sells musical instrument strings (acoustic, electric, bass, classical, mandolin, banjo, bajo, ukulele), pickups, instrument cables, and guitar care accessories. The company applies proprietary manufacturing processes, including Blue Steel cryogenic treatment (-320°F liquid nitrogen freezing), Compound Winding technology for bass strings, and Blackhawk micro-thin coating, to deliver strings marketed as lasting up to 3-4X longer than standard alternatives with enhanced tone and tuning stability.
Is Dean Markley Strings a public or private company?
Dean Markley Strings is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Dean Markley Strings founded?
Dean Markley Strings was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dean Markley Strings based?
Dean Markley Strings is headquartered in Glendale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dean Markley Strings make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. String Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories Sales.
Who are Dean Markley Strings's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Gibson, Fender and Martin Strings. Direct peers are DR Strings, La Bella Strings, Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Elixir Strings and GHS Strings. Cleartone Strings is listed as an emerging player.
Does Dean Markley Strings have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dean Markley Strings.
What industry is Dean Markley Strings in?
Dean Markley Strings's product category is Musical Instrument Strings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAEAA, Musical Instrument Retail (Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Band/Orchestra), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAA, Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric). Its NAICS code is 459140 and its SIC code is 3931.