As many of you know, Gotoh tuners are pretty good. I use them in my repairs only on higher end instruments. I used to purchase off Antonia Tsai ebay site, the look-a-likes as they are somewhat cheaper and seemed to work really well. I don't know whether the Guyker (called firebirds) product are the same. I recently did a setup/repair on an Asian banjo that had the look-a-likes tuners and wasn't impressed. Not smooth but lumpy.
While the Gotoh and Guyker look identical, I think there is a difference in the tuner button screw which would ID them.
Your thoughts?
Most Gotoh banjo tuner knock-offs have a Phillips tightening screw, while genuine Gotoh banjo tuners have a slotted screw.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
quote:
Originally posted by Bob SmakulaMost Gotoh banjo tuner knock-offs have a Phillips tightening screw, while genuine Gotoh banjo tuners have a slotted screw.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
That was my thoughts also Bob. However, when you said "most", there were some Gotohs with the Phillips head screws? If so, how does one tell the difference?
Gotohs have a smaller diameter post (where the string wraps around) than the "look-alike knock-offs", which is a good way to tell them apart, visually.
quote:
Originally posted by banjonzquote:
Originally posted by Bob SmakulaMost Gotoh banjo tuner knock-offs have a Phillips tightening screw, while genuine Gotoh banjo tuners have a slotted screw.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.comThat was my thoughts also Bob. However, when you said "most", there were some Gotohs with the Phillips head screws? If so, how does one tell the difference?
You misread what I wrote. Most of the knock-offs have the phillips head screws. I have never seen a Gotoh banjo tuner with a phillips screw. There could be knock offs with a slotted screw. I can not say for sure if I have seen any.
Bob Smakula
Edited by - Bob Smakula on 02/24/2026 18:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakulaquote:
Originally posted by banjonzquote:
Originally posted by Bob SmakulaMost Gotoh banjo tuner knock-offs have a Phillips tightening screw, while genuine Gotoh banjo tuners have a slotted screw.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.comThat was my thoughts also Bob. However, when you said "most", there were some Gotohs with the Phillips head screws? If so, how does one tell the difference?
You misread what I wrote. Most of the knock-offs have the phillips head screws. I have never seen a Gotoh banjo tuner with a phillips screw. There could be knock offs with a slotted screw. I can not say for sure if I have seen any.
Bob Smakula
Yes, I did misread what you wrote. OOPS! I have PM'd you with a photo.
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