Review: Gotoh GB350-5 3L/2R G Bass Tuners
I recently upgraded my 5-string bass with the Gotoh GB350-5 3L/2R G Bass Tuners, and overall I’m very impressed with them.
Build Quality & Materials
These tuners are made from duralumin and manufactured in Japan, giving them a solid, premium feel with excellent fit and finish. The enclosed design and gold plating look classy on the headstock and feel durable without being overly heavy.
Weight & Balance Improvement
One of the standout benefits of these tuners is how light they are. They’re significantly lighter than many stock machine heads, which can help reduce neck-heavy balance on 5-string basses. I noticed a noticeable weight reduction up top, which helps the bass sit more comfortably when playing standing up.
Performance & Tuning Stability
The 1:20 gear ratio feels smooth and precise — turning the pegs results in very accurate tuning adjustments. I found tuning to be stable and reliable across gigs and practice sessions. The smoothness of the gear action makes fine adjustments easy.
Installation & Fit
Installation was straightforward — they fit the standard 14 mm tuner holes and included all necessary screws and hex bolts. These mounted cleanly without modification on my bass.
Value & Overall Thoughts
While a bit pricier than generic tuners, the quality, feel, and balance improvements make this set worth it if you’re after better performance and reduced headstock weight. If you want a professional feel and a noticeable improvement over stock hardware, these definitely deliver.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ / 5
