Well at least the Les Paul players will feel at home on those. Wouldn't this neck angle make for a less lengthy reach toward the nut end of the neck? Maybe they viewed it as an improvement to the design? I wonder if it will effect sales that much. Most first time Thunderbird buyers may not be bothered or concerned.
By the way, hope you enjoy the eclipse coming up Scott. Looks like you'll be in the path of totality over in western New York. I'm debating whether or not it'd be worth making the drive to see it myself. Those eclipses happen as often as Epiphone China get vintage Gibson specs right.