Sterling AX30D…Prototype?

I just acquired this beautiful natural quilt top AX30D off Reverb last night. I happened to take a spin through my standard Reverb searches after getting home from a gig and this popped up.

The curious things are:
1. Natural finish quilt…I have never seen one before on a Sterling
2. The stamped “2008” on the back of the headstock. Seller says store he bought it from said it was a prototype. The AX30 was introduced in 2009, albeit without the locking tuners and with burst or transparent finishes.

Anyone have any info on this lovely guitar?

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