Q&A

TREE HUGGERS

I have a Fender Stratocaster and I’m in love with this guitar despite the fact the tuning isn’t that stable. I’ve had the top nut professionally set up, but I think the problem is drag caused by the string trees on the headstock. My question is, what happens if I remove them?

W Semple, via email

String trees increase the angle at which some of the strings pass over the guitar’s top nut. Without them, those strings – usually the high E and B – would pop right out of their slots when you pluck them. So, yeah, you need the trees, man.

We do feel your pain. Those metal clips can cause the