Re: tuners
I have both Grovers and Schallers, and both are excellent. Locking tuners eliminate the need to wrap the strings around the post. Even if you know how to properly wrap strings, it's easy to accidentally do it incorrectly and not realize it. Locking tuners can have the string up to pitch with half a wrap or so, eliminating the tuning problems that are associated with multiple wraps. There's also a convenience factor, as you can change strings faster and easier with locking tuners.
Having said that, the nut is a cause of tuning problems more often than many people realize. I highly recommend Earvana nuts, they have all the desireable properties of a graphite nut, and they make a huge difference in intonation. I have them on two guitars, and both guitars are in 100% perfect tuning (or very, very close to it) at every point on the fretboard when checked with a strobe tuner.
Ryan
). I've seen several Gotoh's @ 16:1 and other brands @ 18:1. Any good quality tuner should do you fine. My recomendation is whatever you choose go Locking.
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