nuke

I have a 2001 H535, with HRW's. The switch tip has a black dot (and black tips have a white or cream dot). The pickups have the double height adjust screws, as do the regular Schaller humbuckers. (HRW's are made with the same hardware from Schaller). They are also marked on the back of the pickups as HRW in ink.

I went with Farber, including the insert bushings. Super happy with the results, especially my 2001 H535 which came with the same Schaller roller bridge and top-load tail piece. I had to wait on getting the inserts for the H535, so I played for a while with just the Farber bridge. Once I pressed the much longer steel Farber bushings into the guitar, I was amazed at how much better it sounded. The go will into the maple center block, where as the original tailpiece bushing from Schaller was very short and just mostly contacted the upper shell. My 1998 H150, came with Gibson style zinc tailpiece and a "Nashville" bridge. The Farber hardware didn't make as much sound difference, but the lighter stop bar helped my goal of reducing weight of the guitar to under 9lbs, along with replacing the Grover tuners. I find the ABR-1 style bridge more comfortable to play.

I guess we'll see. F-brand and G-brand still continue their made in USA standard lines, at the apex of their standard lines. It is undeniable that inexpensive guitars sell in higher volume and make up the bulk of revenue, at much thinner margins. The lure of inexpensive off-shore products is undeniable. Pretty much everyone with some volume is doing it. I think it waters down the brand, especially if not clearly labeled in a way that is clear what it is. Strangely, Gibson will make some Epiphone models in the US from time to time, despite its position as their off-shore less-expensive line.