Tribute Hardware question

A dealer claimed in an email to me that Tributes now use the same bridge hardware as USA G&Ls. That certainly wasn't always the case; I think all the ones I've worked on had cheaper hardware with a chrome that wore off easily, and thin, hollow whammy bars that were nothing like the solid metal USA ones that could survive a nuclear attack.

Is this a true claim and if so, when did that start? Thanks!

A dealer claimed in an email to me that Tributes now use the same bridge hardware as USA G&Ls. That certainly wasn't always the case; I think all the ones I've worked on had cheaper hardware with a chrome that wore off easily, and thin, hollow whammy bars that were nothing like the solid metal USA ones that could survive a nuclear attack.

Is this a true claim and if so, when did that start? Thanks!

See these posts: Are the new ASAT Special Bridges made in the USA?
and What is the '05 to '06 Bridge and Trem arm differences?

So it went the other way around? The US models now basically use the thinner Tribute arms with the more prone-to-wear chrome?

Serious bummer.

I love the old trem arms. I use very heavy strings (13-62 EADGBE no detune) and the old bars never gave me an issue, built like a crowbar. Thinner bars tend to bend before the trem moves. Fender bars even bend significantly with a relatively light 11-56 set. Also, I have 20+ year old DFs that show 0 finish wear; I've seen tribs a few years old with a lot less play hours that already have issues. Oh well.