Gotoh GB707 5 String Bass Tuning Keys — 3+2 Sealed, 20:1, Chrome (GB707-320)

The Gotoh GB707 is a five-string bass tuning key set in a 3+2 configuration — three tuners on the bass side of the headstock (low B, E, A) and two on the treble side (D, G). Built in Japan to Gotoh's precision engineering standards, the GB707 features sealed gear construction, a 20:1 gear ratio, 14mm shaft hole requirement, and a chrome finish. Each tuner includes a mounting screw, bushing and washer. The GB707 is a direct replacement or upgrade set for five-string basses with the 3+2 asymmetrical headstock layout — the most widely used configuration on contemporary five-string instruments including Music Man StingRay 5, many Ibanez, Yamaha and ESP/LTD five-string models. Before ordering, confirm your headstock uses a 3+2 layout and that your existing tuner holes measure 14mm, then verify all base plate dimensions against the technical diagram provided.

Five-String Configuration — Which Headstock Layout Do You Have?

Sealed Gear Construction — Modern Performance and Low Maintenance

The GB707's sealed gear construction fully encloses the worm gear mechanism within the tuner housing. This is a fundamentally different design approach from the open-gear Gotoh GB2 and FB30 sets — and the distinction matters for both appearance and long-term maintenance.

What sealed gear provides:

• Protection from the environment: The enclosed housing keeps dust, moisture and debris away from the gear mechanism — particularly relevant for gigging musicians who transport instruments regularly in varied conditions
• Self-contained lubrication: Sealed tuners are factory-lubricated at manufacture and do not require periodic re-lubrication. The mechanism operates within its sealed housing for the life of the tuner without user maintenance
• Clean modern aesthetic: The sealed housing presents a smooth, uniform appearance on the headstock — a contemporary look that suits modern bass designs without the exposed gear teeth of the vintage open-gear format
• Consistent feel over time: Because the mechanism is protected from external contamination, sealed tuners maintain their operational feel more consistently across years of use than open-gear tuners exposed to dust and debris

What open-gear provides that sealed does not:
The open-gear format of the GB2 and FB30 is accessible for direct lubrication and has the classic vintage aesthetic associated with traditional bass design. Players who specifically want the vintage open-gear look, or who prefer the instrument to match existing open-gear hardware, should consider those models instead. The GB707 is the modern sealed alternative.

20:1 Gear Ratio — Precision Tuning Across Five Strings

The GB707's 20:1 gear ratio — twenty rotations of the tuning button per one full rotation of the string post — provides significantly finer tuning control than the 14:1 and 16:1 ratios common on budget and stock replacement tuners.

On a five-string bass, gear ratio performance matters across a wider tension range than on a four-string instrument. The low B string carries the highest tension of any standard bass string — and the mechanical demand on the tuner holding that string in position is correspondingly higher. At 20:1, the gear reduction gives string tension substantially less leverage to move the tuner out of position, contributing to stable tuning on the low B string under playing load.

For players who have experienced a low B string that drifts in pitch during a set — particularly on basses with budget stock tuners — the improvement from upgrading to a 20:1 sealed mechanism is one of the most practically noticeable hardware upgrades available.

Chrome Finish — Matching Contemporary Hardware

The chrome finish of the GB707-320 suits the hardware specification of most contemporary production five-string basses — bridges, strap buttons and control hardware on modern instruments are typically chrome. For players replacing tuners on a bass with existing chrome hardware, the GB707-320 provides a consistent finish match across the instrument.

Gotoh's chrome plating is applied to a consistent standard across production — the finish depth and coverage at contact points and across the tuner housing reflect the same manufacturing approach as the rest of the Gotoh range.

Installation — What Is Included and What to Check

Each tuner in the GB707 set includes a mounting screw, bushing and washer — all hardware required for a standard installation on a compatible headstock. The washer is included in addition to the screw and bushing, providing a clean, protected contact surface between the bushing and the headstock face.

Before ordering, verify the following against the technical diagram provided:

• Configuration: Count the tuner positions on each side of your headstock — confirm 3 on the bass side and 2 on the treble side before ordering
• Shaft hole diameter: Your headstock's existing tuner holes must measure 14mm (9/16"). Holes smaller than 14mm require reaming by a guitar technician before installation
• Base plate dimensions and screw spacing: Compare the technical diagram's measurements against your headstock's existing screw positions for a clean installation without additional drilling

If you are uncertain whether the GB707 fits your bass, contact us with your instrument's make, model and year before ordering. Professional installation is available through our guitar technician.

Who Is the Gotoh GB707 For?

• Five-string bass players upgrading from stock or budget tuners on a 3+2 headstock instrument — seeking improved tuning precision and stability, particularly on the low B string
• Players replacing worn, damaged or cosmetically degraded tuners on a contemporary five-string bass with a 3+2 asymmetrical headstock layout
• Music Man StingRay 5, Ibanez, Yamaha and similar five-string bass owners looking for a direct replacement set to Gotoh's precision engineering standard
• Luthiers and repair technicians fitting quality sealed hardware to five-string customer instruments with 3+2 headstock configurations
• Bass builders requiring a sealed, chrome, 20:1 ratio five-string tuner set for a new build with 14mm shaft holes
• Players who want a modern sealed aesthetic rather than the vintage open-gear look of the Gotoh GB2 or FB30 range
• Players who have confirmed their headstock is 3+2 configuration and that the GB707's dimensions are compatible before ordering

Specifications

Expert Advice and Installation at Angkor Music

At Angkor Music Melbourne we stock Gotoh hardware across five-string and four-string formats, sealed and open-gear construction, and multiple finishes. Five-string tuner selection requires confirming both configuration and dimensions before purchasing — contact us with your bass's make, model and current tuner layout and our team can confirm the correct product. Professional installation is available through our guitar technician.

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