Abstract: A stringed musical instrument particularly a ukelele employing simple rotatable friction pegs in the machine head, is provided with a tension-receiving member for the strings disposed between the instrument nut and the machine head. Each string is looped in a circle about the member and it is found there is a marked reduction in the tendency for the instrument to detune under the string tension. The member may be constituted by a screw or a rod mounted by the instrument neck and about which the respective string is looped. With a wooden-necked instrument each member may be constituted by a wood screw screwed directly into the neck.