Basic Tuning Machine Questions

[Fresh_Start]

I’ve got a neck with a blank peghead that I’m going to put on a Warmoth Strat body. Some really basic questions:

Is there an advantage to machine heads secured with 1 or 2 posts instead of a tab/extension with a screw?

Is a 12:1 ratio good enough or is a 16:1 or 18:1 really an improvement?

Are 2 post heights - one for wound and shorter for unwound strings - good enough or would 3 staggered heights be an improvement? I’d like to avoid a string tree but don’t know if that’s likely.

I know that there can be passionate debate regarding locking tuners; however, that is what I would like on this guitar. I can spend $50 on a Fender branded set, a bit more for Hipshot, about $100 for Sperzels, or $150 for Schallers. Since this may replace my primary electric guitar, I don’t mind spending money if there’s a long-term quality advantage. Any advice there?

Thanks in advance,
Chip

[Mincer]

Higher ratios are an improvement...so 19:1 is better than 12:1. As far as if it is better with the tab- that doesn't affect the mechanics of the tuner, just how it is mounted. I just built a Warmoth, and I went with a Hipshot open gear locking tuner. It has a high ratio, it looks cool, and can be mounted with this mounting plate that assures they will all be in a perfectly straight line. If I ever need to switch them out, they leave no other holes (no tab required). Being open gear, they are lighter than Schallers or Sperzels, as I was afraid of the guitar being neck heavy (it isn't). The Hipshots cost about $80.

[ehdwuld]

as Mincer said above
the higher the ratio (19:1 vs 12:1) gives a finer adjustment and that is better
tabs or screws, not that important they keep the tuner from spinning under load
locking tuners are nice, I put them on my acoustics because it speeds up string changes
open gear may be more prone to collect dust, I'm not sure if that is empirical, but that is my guess
if you are doing six inline with no tiltback, staggered tuner post may be able to eliminate the tree
the high E and B strings are the most likely to need the lower post so three sizes are not necessarily better than two
Ernie Ball got around it by doing a 4x2 headstock
this moves the two high strings closer to the nut and increasing the break angle over the nut
if you have a blank this may an option as well as 3x3
give it some thought...