A device and method for reducing wear and stress in the string of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. Certain stringed instruments are strung by advancing strings through string apertures in the body of the instrument. The device includes tubular sleeves that are placed into the string apertures. As the instrument is strung, the strings of the instrument are tightened. When tightened, the strings abut against and bend around the tubular sleeve. The tubular sleeve has a curved surface against which the strings bend. This lowers stress concentrations in the strings at the points of the bend. Furthermore, the tubular sleeves are made from a material that is softer than the material of the instrument's strings. Accordingly, as the instrument's strings wear against the sleeves, the sleeves experience the wear more so than the strings.