John Pearse Strings
John Pearse acoustic guitar strings are a top choice for musicians, consistently ranking among our best sellers. The .012 - .053 600L Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge set is particularly popular, regularly appearing in our top five. Beyond guitar strings, John Pearse offers a wide range of quality strings for bass, banjo, mandolin, and more.
English studio musician John Pearse began his exploration into string manufacturing in the mid-1960s. His 1962 program Hold Down a Chord earned him fame as the first to teach guitar on television. His BBC lessons were broadcast in six countries, while his PBS series String Along reached audiences across the U.S.
In 1965, he partnered with British Music Strings, a London-based string maker, to create guitar strings with improved longevity and more accurate vibration and nodal patterns. His designs were so successful that both British Music Strings and Thomastik marketed strings under his name. He also developed string lines for Bourne Guitars and Jay Associates, makers of the Jester guitar line.
In 1978, John moved to the United States to develop a unique line of accessories for the C.F. Martin Company. Here, he reconnected with dulcimer player Mary Faith Rhoads, whom he had first met in Paris in 1971. After 18 months, John left Martin in 1980 and, with Mary Faith, founded Breezy Ridge Instruments. They produced the Breezy Ridge Hammer Dulcimer, a revolutionary instrument known for its exceptional sound.
Soon after, John and Mary Faith introduced a line of music strings specifically designed for professional musicians. The strings quickly gained popularity, and due to high demand, they expanded the line and made it available in stores nationwide. John authored many books on instrument building and technique over the years. Breezy Ridge has continued to grow, adding more of John’s unique accessories and producing his acclaimed PBS TV series String Along, which received rave reviews.