I actually like the new tuner buttons. I’m the opposite: not sure I ever really got along with the aluminum tuners.
I have a much bigger issue with the fact the Custom 24’s are all routed for that freaking goofy shaped / proprietary shaped Paul’s pickup. It’s a great sounding pickup, and I could see myself keeping it in there; however, if there ever came a time I wanted to change the sound of the pickups, I wouldn’t be able to. I find that unacceptable on a $5,000 guitar. I’m quite sure they could have made Paul’s pickups fit a standard-sized route. This is probably the only deal breaker regarding the new changes, and it’s the one thing that would prevent me from purchasing a new Custom 24.
Going back to the tuners, if you want to swap the new tuners for Phase IIIs — although, it seems the only difference between the new tuners and Phase IIIs is the button — it looks like it’ll be a direct swap.
Some reference pics below.
All my Private Stocks have Phase III’s with ebony wood buttons. Top view:
Back view showing two screws per tuner:
I have an SE Hollowbody II from a couple years ago. Those tuners are non-locking, I’m guessing because it’s a stoptail. Incidentally, it stays in tune perfectly. I’ve maybe had to retune this thing twice on this pair of strings. Nonetheless, these tuners only have one screw per tuner.
Front view:
Back view showing one screw per tuner: