Detail 01
.018 gauge
Heaviest plain gauge in this range. Noticeably stiffer, harder to bend, more output and low-mid weight.
Product detailSKU #1312645326681
Ernie BallCustom Gauge 1018 .018GA Single Acoustic or Electric Guitar String
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A single .018 plain steel string sold individually. The heaviest plain gauge here, for custom sets and one-string replacements.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Building heavier custom sets or lower tunings
- Replacing a snapped G on a heavy-gauge set
- Players who want a plain G instead of a wound one
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone restringing the whole instrument
- Players who bend often and want light tension
- Nylon or classical guitars
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Plain, not wound
A plain G is brighter and bends more evenly than a wound G, but reads harsher on some acoustics.
Detail 03
Sold singly
Lets you build a hybrid set or replace one string without buying six.
Detail 04
Acoustic or electric rated
Works either way, though at .018 most acoustic sets use a wound G instead.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01One string only, no set included.
- 02Heavier gauge raises tension; a truss rod tweak may be needed if you switch several.
- 03Nut slot may need filing if you're stepping up from a thinner string.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Plain G or wound G at .018?
This one is plain. Plain Gs bend more evenly and sound brighter; wound Gs sit smoother in a strummed acoustic set.
02Is .018 good for drop tunings?
It holds tension better than a lighter gauge when tuned down, which is why heavier plain gauges get used for lower tunings.
03Do I need to adjust my guitar for this?
One string, usually not. Moving a whole set up in gauge can shift neck relief and require a truss rod adjustment.
04How many strings come in the pack?
One.
