I'll start with this. Forgery in the name of profit or gain in anyway shape or form is completely detestable and indefensible. However here's my thoughts on building one of these kits for whatever they're worth.
Some day I want to build my own guitar. I'm constantly modding guitars as it is. I've just now gotten into "remodeling" them. I've refinished an old strat copy that was my first guitar, and now have completely refinished a PRS SE EG. It's not done, but when it is I'll post pics. I don't plan to sell it, and if I ever do, I will make it absolutely clear that the work was done by me and not PRS/PTC. I do plan on putting the PRS SE logo back on the headstock along with the serial number. Those things belong to that guitar. Much like my Ford Mustang I recently owned. I did some work to it. Nothing extravagant, but it was definitely not stock when I sold it. However it was still a Ford and the VIN was still the same.
So what does this have to do with a guitar kit? I work at a Harley shop. I've built several "customs". They're based on Harley Davidson motorcycles. You could/can use many stock parts from HD on these motorcycles. Although most we built were obviously far from a true HD, we had a few customers that wanted what looked like a stock bike but with a big inch motor. So we've done those also. Their titles did NOT say HD nor were their VINs an HD VIN. I'm not a lawyer and don't know how the bird inlays work. I have no doubt putting PRS or their logo on a kit guitar is illegal. It's also my understanding that the headstock shape is the part that can be trademarked. So them using the PRS headstock is probably very illegal also.
I say that to say, I've almost purchased one of those kits. If/when I do buy and build one, I would never attempt in anyway to pass it off as a real PRS. However I do think the bird inlays are the best looking inlay on any guitar out there. So I want one that has those, even if they are obviously PRS. IMO it would be more like an homage than trying to rip them off. There's a good chance I would modify the headstock to make it more symetrical and "M" shaped. My name s Matt so I even have an idea or two about using a veneer to make the M shape more obvious. And my biggest reason for doing this, would be that I want a 305 style guitar with a figured maple top. I haven't found too many, and the ones I have found are out of my price range. So I'm also not just copying one of the more common model but recreating a tribute to one that is no longer made. And it would be something to check off my bucket list. Make my own guitar. The biggest thing holding me back is making sure they correctly route the body for the pickups. I've considered asking them just to do the neck pocket and control cavity. But then I would have to do those things and get them right. It's mostly a matter of who I trust more to get them correct. Haha. Although even after building one of these, the next step would be to make one from just planks of wood. Much like Paul did with his first guitars. Which I believe are quite similar to another big guitar makers guitars.
All that said who knew Martin made kits??!?!?!? That's awesome. Just looked them up and they're even reasonably priced IMO. If PRS would sell me a kit I would be all over it. I mean all over it. Like here's my credit card number 1234123412341234 and my address is ......
Anyway if that could somehow happen, man would that be awesome!!! Maybe change the birds and the headstock shape so people couldn't try to pass it off as genuine. At least not without so much work it wouldn't be worth doing. Maybe swap the location of a couple of birds and use the reverse headstock of the silver sky but keep the symmetrical tuner location. Seriously is there a phone number or something I can call to talk someone into this??????
p.s. once I found out that employees get guitars after certain years of service, I considered moving to Maryland from Oklahoma. However I have a family and that won't happen. At least not until my youngest is out of the house. He turns 2 this July, so it will be a while. But if I can make the move happen, get a job there, and then be able to get my employee guitar, the one caveat would be, if possible, I would want to do as much work on it as possible myself. Obviously let the CNC's do their part. But let me sand and shape and glue together as much as possible. I would even want to do the stain, but would probably let the top coat be done by those who know what they're doing. I struggle with spray paint.
Off I go to what for an email or PM about how I can make this guitar kit thing a reality. Seriously I want this to happen. That would be a great way to fight the imposters. Why buy a cheap kit from china, when for 50% more you can buy a kit made on the same machines as a real PRS. They could even come from the SE plant IMO. And would probably be the best idea. Okay I digress.