I'd love to pick one up some day, but it was never the highest on my priority list and i fear with used prices doing what they have been the last few years, and other things I need to take care of, I may not get one.
I did get an opportunity to pcik up one of the new ones in the shop a month or so ago. I was looking at SG's but my sales guy pointed out the L6-S and the LP Classic Customs to me as well.
Another difference I noticed was the vintage model was equipped with that harmonica bridge.and grovers with metal keystone buttons, and I think they may have had a volute on the neck?
I did a bunch of research maybe 4 or 5 eyars ago, this is all stuff I read on the interwebz, but apparently when Bill Lawrence was working for Gibson back in the 70's they asked him to make a new model but were very particular about price point/budget. The original had HB's in it that he designed, I don't recall their specs, but they had covers without cutouts for adjustable pole pieces. Later on, the midnight special version was introduced as a simplified version along. The other two differed in that they had a 6 way rotary switch or a 3 way toggle. I don't remember all the dates and stuff anymore but Iv'e seen vintage ones with both maple and rosewood boards and with dot and sometimes small block inlays. When I started price hunting used ones on fleabay maybe 5 eyars ago or so, they were running about 600 or so for one in great shape, now i see people all the time asking a grand or more for ones that are pretty banged up.
The one I looked at in the store was very heavy and solid feeling. You could probably drive railroad spikes with it. Very pale blond color, I imagine after a year or two, the nitro will start to yellow up nicely and within a few years it'll have that nice golden color to it. I did not play it, as I said, I was looking for SG's, btu as stated above, there were some minor changes to the original, nothing major. I wouldn't expect them to go to challer or whoever their vendor was and re-source a part that's been out of spec like the bridge for a gutiar that is not in their custom shop price range. I think the street price on it was 1699 or 1799 USD.
*oh, and I don't think TP-6's were stock, but they're fun so if you like it, it's all good :)