After Japan was hit by natural disasters in 2012, G&L was forced to temporarily use Blades humbuckers manufactured by Kent Armstrong instead of the Gotoh manufactured Dual-Blade and Power-Blade pickups. The former was replaced by the Dual Blades - Hum Canceling Strat Cool (HR1RC) as used in the neck and middle position, the latter by a Power Blades - Hum Canceling Strat Hot (HR1R) in the bridge position. These pickups provide more wiring and switching flexibility with their 4-conductor leads but this remained unused to ensure the Legacy Special and Invaders operate the same with this type of humbuckers from either manufacturer. This was not the first time Kent Armstrong pickups were used in lieu of a Gotoh pickup. Some very early Legacy Basses also have a Kent Armstrong Hot Twins Split pickup (VPB), or something closely related, before they got a Gotoh PB-Classic.