I agree!!
I thought mine was cool till I saw this one (check my profile)
G

Hello! Here is the newest picture:

We're thinkin' Monday the 5th for a shippideedodah.

Those cream pickups are too cool.
 
I love it!

Wow,
 
That is just awesome.

Great picture!

Wow!
Someone's going to be very happy... VERY HAPPY!
 
Mike

I was staring at that picture for a long time last night, and again this morning.  It's just a really cool guitar!

Ditto on the cream pickups.  Perfect with this guitar.
 
Bill, tgo

This is such a cool guitar - right down to the vintage-looking cream pu's.  Congratulations.  I can't wait to see the glamour shots when it's done.
Bill (The other one)

Is there a difference in sound, or is it some other reason for the opposite slant to the bridge pup when compared to the Stratocaster?

I like the end of the fretboard.  Nice detail with the truss-rod cover

Rob; yes, any time you move the position of a pickup there should be a change in tone.  Go here for a demonstration of how pickup placement changes tone.  Using the demo you can see how angling the bridge pickup in this way will make the high frequency strings a little warmer.

Here's the control layout we're proposing:

 
The drawing you sent us had the pickup selector switches parallel with the strings, but they will really be crammed in there. We hope you like this suggestion.