Quick Tip : Graph Tech String Trees

In this new Quick Tip, I want to offer a recommendation that will reduce friction on any guitar that uses string trees.

The purpose of a string tree is to change the angle at which the string engages the tuning post. Ideally, the string comes in perfectly perpendicular to the post. It does not happen but string trees are often used to make the actual angle closer to perpendicular. You can find them on all kinds of headstocks, but most commonly you will find them on Stratocasters and Telecasters.

The idea is a good one. Over time, string trees have evolved from the original round disks, many of which had sharp edges to the roughly inverted W shaped ones that we see commonly today. The problem is that these parts are cast, not machined and cost considerations result in many of them having sharp edges. Moreover, as any mechanical engineer will tell you, metal on metal is friction creating. That’s why some folks use nut lube, or graphite on the string trees. Some even remove the trees and use files or Dremel tools to polish the edges to reduce friction. All good things but I have a better solution.

Head to your local guitar shop or if you do not have one, look at an online store and order a set of Graph Tech String Trees, They are made of the same material as Graph Tech nuts, widely respected as being nearly friction free and necessary replacements for plastic nuts to avoid strings binding in cheap nuts.

The string trees remove friction at the tree from the equation, provide nice precise slots for the strings to ride in and have a surprisingly positive impact on tuning stability. Even if you choose not to go to locking tuners instead of the wind on type, these string trees make a positive difference. They are available in the bone white shown as well as solid black. Usually around $18 CAD for a set. All you need is a Philips #1 screwdriver and a maximum of five minutes.

I have replaced the string trees on every one of my guitars that uses them with these. Doing so has made a positive difference in every case.

Thanks for reading this Quick Tip. Please subscribe to be informed of new articles. Feel free to click the link to send in a question or please post a comment. I respond to all. Until next time, peace.