Dean Markley · Guitar Strings
Dean Markley Blackhawk Acoustic Guitar Strings
Lower PFAS concern, steel and bronze guitar strings are commodity materials with no known treatment vectors for PFAS.
Dean Markley Blackhawk strings are acoustic guitar strings made from traditional bronze or nickel-alloy-wrapped steel with no reported PFAS-containing treatments. Guitar strings are not subject to water-repellency, nonstick, or grease-resistance coatings that commonly introduce PFAS.
Shop Dean Markley on Amazon →Material
Bronze-wound steel strings, phosphor bronze or nickel alloy wraps
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dean Markley Blackhawk strings use a steel core wound with either phosphor bronze or nickel alloy wrap, standard for acoustic guitar strings. Phosphor bronze adds corrosion resistance and tonal warmth; nickel provides brightness and longer lifespan. Both materials are inert when in contact with skin, saliva, or food, strings are not ingested or absorbed, and the metals remain mechanically bound to the core under normal playing conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dean Markley is a long-established string manufacturer (founded 1976) with no major safety recalls, lawsuits, or disclosed manufacturing controversies in public record. The brand does not publish materials safety data sheets or third-party certifications for heavy metals or trace contaminants in finished strings. Industry-standard production for strings does not typically involve coatings, dyes, or chemical treatments that trigger consumer safety disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Acoustic guitar strings across brands (Elixir, Martin, D'Addario, GHS) share similar bronze or nickel-wound construction with identical material hazard profiles. Dean Markley's position is middle-market; no competitor demonstrates superior safety transparency or testing. Differences are tonal and durability, not safety-related.
If you buy it
Strings require no special handling or storage beyond keeping them dry to prevent rust. Skin contact during playing poses no acute hazard; rinse hands after play if concerned about residual metal dust or oxidation. Replace strings when they lose tone, break, or show visible corrosion; typical replacement interval is 3 to 6 months depending on play frequency. No hazard from heating, storage, or normal indoor use.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Heavy metal leaching from bronze or nickel wrap
Phosphor bronze and nickel alloys are mechanically wound onto steel cores and do not dissolve or leach into saliva, skin, or food under normal playing conditions. No cases of toxic metal exposure from acoustic strings are documented in medical or product safety literature.
Microplastic or fiber shedding
Metal strings do not shed plastic fibers or microplastics. Core materials (steel) and wraps (bronze, nickel) remain solid under normal string tension and friction.
Coating degradation or flaking
Dean Markley Blackhawk strings are not coated with polymeric or resinous finishes; the wrap is the finish. Bronze and nickel oxidize over time but do not flake or shed toxic byproducts into the player's environment.
Formaldehyde or volatile organic compound off-gassing
Metal strings do not emit formaldehyde or VOCs. No chemical adhesives, resins, or glues are involved in standard string manufacture that would release volatile compounds.
Allergic contact dermatitis from metal wrap
Rare cases of nickel or bronze sensitivity in musicians are documented in dermatological literature. Individuals with confirmed nickel allergy should verify the string composition (phosphor bronze vs. nickel-wound) or wear gloves; Dean Markley does not disclose exact alloy specifications publicly.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Guitar Strings
Martin
Retro Acoustic Guitar Strings
Phosphor bronze, stainless steel, nylon wound
Lower concern, acoustic guitar strings typically use established metals and nylon without water-repellent coating or nonstick coatings.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Acoustic360
Ernie Ball Everlast Acoustic Guitar Strings
Phosphor bronze/stainless steel wound on steel core
Lower PFAS concern, acoustic guitar strings use standard metal materials with no known fluorochemical treatments.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Dean Markley
Electric Guitar Strings
Steel alloy strings (nickel-plated or stainless steel core)
Lower PFAS concern, steel strings lack typical PFAS applications, but no brand disclosure exists.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More guitar strings grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.