Well, what I think the difference is, is the "Big Apple" had a Hum-single-single pickup config. I haven't checked out the double-fat Strat yet, but I would guess it just has two humbuckers. Studio guys preferred the hum-single-single config for it's versatility. Pensa-Suhr, PRS, and one or two other companies put out "Studio style" instruments some years back to acquiesce requests from New York and LA studio guys....the Ernie Ball/Music Man "Luke" Steve Lukather Signature model is a good example of a current, better quality version.

If you are looking for a high quality-better built alternative, check out Ernie Ball/Music man or Tom Anderson guitars- www.andersonguitars.com Tom Anderson and crew have done work for the Fender Custom shop, and he also worked for and designed for Schecter years ago. Several of the luthiers for Ernie Ball/Music man have also worked for Fender and Valley Arts guitars.