vinorange

Harry White. He’s a skilled luthier banging out very good Ric copies to your own spec. Some say they are better than originals and cheaper too. I enquired a few years ago but didn’t go ahead as I’m a brand snob and couldn’t quite bring myself to pay a lot for a (very good) fake.

I have a 1980 4001 which is fantastic. The neck is skinny, stable and the frets don't wear with roundwounds. I replaced the bridge with a hipshot as the old bridges are a weak link for sure but a 78 would sound and play really nicely in my opinion. I have 2 other Rics, a brand new ltd edition orangeglo and a 2019 Ltd pillar box red with .apple board. I've also owned several others down the years but you cannot beat the gnarly grunt and playability of a 4001. Also, the necks are fiddly to set up and should be done by a pro but once set they rarely need tweaking. I can do my own fret levelling and set ups but won't touch the old hairpin truss equipped 4001. It was set up 2 years ago and plays as well now as then. Guess mine is a thumbs up to joining the Ric club.

What a tricky question. Playability also to me also means comfort and versatility so the red 4003s would be the most playable. With having a maple board it’s a bit snappier so is less of a one trick pony and of course no body binding means no forearm injury so if I was gigging and needed the most playable then I'd take the red.