Detail 01
TUSQ XL material
Self-lubricating polymer. Strings slide back through it after a bend instead of catching and returning sharp.
Product detailSKU #1301702803109
Graph TechBlack TUSQ XL Sleek String Tree
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Black TUSQ XL string tree for the headstock. Low-friction replacement for players whose high strings bind and ping under the retainer.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Strat-style headstocks where B and high E go sharp after bends
- Players adding lubricity without switching to a locking nut
- Matching black hardware on a headstock with black tuners
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Headstocks with no string tree or retainer bar
- Anyone whose tuning issues start at the nut slots instead
- Players wanting chrome or gold to match existing hardware
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
Sleek profile
Low, shallow break angle over the tree. Less downward pressure on the string than a tall vintage butterfly tree.
Detail 03
Black color
Blends into black or dark headstock faces and matches black tuner buttons. Stands out sharply on natural maple.
Detail 04
String tree, not a nut
Only controls break angle behind the nut on the two or four highest strings. Does nothing for the wound strings.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mounting screw not guaranteed to match your existing one — check before removing the old tree
- 02Height spacer may be needed depending on your headstock and tuner post height
- 03Loosen and lift the affected strings rather than fully removing them for a faster swap
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01How many strings does this hold?
It retains the strings that pass beneath it on a standard headstock — typically the B and high E, depending on where it sits on your particular guitar.
02Will this stop my guitar going sharp after bends?
It helps if the string tree is the pinch point. If the nut slots are tight or unpolished, the string still catches there and no tree will fix it.
03Do I need to drill anything?
No, if you're replacing an existing tree in the same location. The original screw hole is reused. Only a new installation needs drilling.
04What is TUSQ XL?
A man-made polymer with a lubricant compounded into it, so the friction reduction is built into the material rather than applied as a coating that wears off.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
