Excuse me, but what the hell is this?

[Invisible_Kid]

I've been wondering ever since I started playing.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[HUnt49]

Never never never press that button. It triggers a nuclear armmagedapocalypse the likes of which the world has never seen.

 

[DevinF]

Strings pop off the nut without it. That's all

 

[Invisible_Kid]

What's it called?

 

[tifftunes]

It's called a "string tree."

 

[spaz21387]

and the reason why some basses dont have them like the epiphone thunderbird is that the headstock is angled back enough that the headstock angle presses the strings into the nut...

 

[Invisible_Kid]

Never never never press that button. It triggers a nuclear armmagedapocalypse the likes of which the world has never seen.

Signature'd ;D

 

[lowdown3]

armmagedapocalypse &$%#*$%
I like that word for a bands name.

 

[No Malarky]

Invisible Kid: That is an ego elevator button. For a small price I can install a little blue button to get you down! All Hail Daffy Duck!

 

[millsbass5]

It's called a "string tree."

Don't forget,now....It needs pruned at least twice a year,too.

 

[KeithAlanK]

If the strings don't cross the nut at the correct angle they might buzz, and will definitely lose a lot of sustain.

Too much of an angle is bad, too.
The string gets bent and tone/intonation goes in the toilet.

I have been known to add washers under the string tree, or grind away the bottom, just to get it right.

The name "string tree" comes from the way they are made for Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, etc.
It's a smaller design that has to be seen to be understood.

 

[BassicJohn]

Actually it is just the seed of a string tree. If you plant it in the backyard it will grow into one of the trees they use to make strings.

 

[lowendblues]

Never never never press that button. It triggers a nuclear armmagedapocalypse the likes of which the world has never seen.

I love this place.......

 

[panama]

Strings pop off the nut without it. That's all

"pop off the nut"

 

[tjmdetroit]

I've been wondering ever since I started playing.

Don't ask questions like that... you know your just encouraging them..... lmao!

 

[Aspidites]

Never never never press that button. It triggers a nuclear armmagedapocalypse the likes of which the world has never seen.

I just pressed it and nothing happened, maybe mine is broken.

 

[GM60466]

It is a tuning ring. Tap it lightly and it rings an A440 tone

 

[Jon_West]

I just pressed it and nothing happened, maybe mine is broken.

Must be Mexican made.

 

[Meddle]

Whatever it is there is no need for such an aggressive thread title. It also worries me that OP has a Fender instrument and does not even know what the function of the string tree is....

 

[Sufenta]

Hate to break it to you, but it looks like you've got some sort or fake Fender there. Real ones have a string tree for the E/A strings as well. Your E and A strings are sure to go flying off the nut putting you and anyone near you at risk of severe bodily injury.