Yes, it is a throwback to the other strat copy, the Tokai "Silver Star". So actually I guess PRS is copying two companies with this one.
The new PRS "Artist" marketing theme:
"You don't like our PRS guitars, fine, most don't. We'll make you a copy of the brand you like. We have no shame. Show us the money."
I think this is really short sighted...
Why is it a strat copy? Because it has single coils mounted on a pickguard? With that line of thinking, every guitar ever made is a Fender/Gibson copy?
I don’t want that Toyota Tundra, it’s just a model T copy.... I don't want satellite TV, it’s just a copy of my rotary antenna... I don't want my wife to wear victoria secret, it’s just a copy of corsets from the 1800’s... you get the point...
When I but a 9V pedal power supply from china for $3 instead of the exactly same one from CA that is $15, that is a copy!
The whole point of innovation is to take something and make it better... PRS guitars are make with exceptional care to details. This results in better finish, tone, durability, feel, and overall quality. That's why we all have them...
If Fenders/Gibsons quality control was half as good as PRS, we wouldn't be talking about this. People would just buy a guitar from them.
That is the signature of PRS... not a pickup or shape... It’s a quality instrument that plays like a million bucks out of the box everytime... Haters be on notice...