i installed the first of this kind on a bass i bought in 1987, on which the original "switch-on electronics" was producing false contacts and horrible noises. it might have been 1991.
that bass is still in use, and daily, by the friend who bought it from me soon thereafter, and the Neutrik locking jack socket is the only bit that hasn't been replaced on that bass.
tuning heads: gone. bridge saddles: gone. pickups: replaced because they shorted out themselves. pots: ditto. jack: still locking, still perfectly silent at both plug-in and plug-out, no trace of rust, stain or corrosion.
clear, installing it on a stringed instrument requires a lot of work, it wasn't meant for this (unless the instrument came with this one specifically, and i know of only one such instrument).
but, if you either have a patient luthier who can route it flush, or if you can accept creative workarounds to alternatively place it where it gets easier and cheaper to install it...
this, and a 90° jack with plug-in switch of the same brand, will work as smooth as melted butter for the nephews and nieces of your grandsons and granddaughters.
ps: black it is, and black will be, if you like it black.
ps(i): price difference isn't huge, make sure you opt for the version with gold contacts, that's like in the 007 movie title track "golden are forever".
