I'm a big fan of the Wilkinson E Z Lock Tuners on my Vintage V6. The damn thing just won't go out of tune, no matter how much bending I do, or how much whammy action I give it.... They've been a bit of a revelation. As much as I love my old Westbury Standard, in the studio earlier this year I was having to tune between every take. No such problems with the V6 on the last session.
Can't help with the second bit though, sorry!