I like the idea of a little more variety from year to year even if it's just some different colors. If it makes for some blowout deals at the end of the year I like it even more. I've heard a bunch of models (thunderbirds included) are going to have a special 12th fret inlay for the 120th anniversary. It seems like an odd year to commemorate, but then again I can see the 12th-120th connection.
Apparently the sale has moved some merch, I picked up the gold top Les Paul bass on day one for AMS. At that time they had 7 in stock and now they're down to 2.