The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stabilizing a tremolo system in a string instrument, the tremolo system having a block and a number of tensioners in extension from the block. One aspect of the invention includes an apparatus, mountable to the string instrument, and having a first retainer to engage a first one of the tensioners and a second retainer to engage a second one of the tensioners, wherein the first retainer is closer to the block than is the second retainer when the apparatus is mounted to the string instrument.