Skybone

I'm no expert on these, but the truss rod area and the neck pickup rout just don't look quite right. And shouldn't they have a "skunk stripe" as well?

Paul Gray is a really great player.

You'll have to head north of you want to invade.

White Wedding - Billy Idol

Smoko on the Water - Deep Purple

Any note from a Scottish Bank is out of line across the border. And paper notes have of any denomination (or country of origin) haven't been legal currency for a few years now. Got stung with that a while ago, stopped at a cafe for a brew, paid and was given a paper £5 with the change. When I needed to pay cash for something later that day, I was told that it wasn't legal tender, and that I'd have to take it to the bank, or back to the vendor. Went back to the cafe and sorted it.

Think that they were a special run for some US shop in 2022 apparently.

Fabulous and rare.

It's certainly different! I do quite like it though.

Custardglo

IMO, a pickup in the neck position helps, but also if you move your playing position towards the end of the neck really helps to achieve a nice "plummy" sound.

Hence the term "supposed to be". I needed a new stand, so took to the t'interweb to find something that was nitro-friendly for the Ric. The only one I could find that was reasonably priced was the Hercules.

IIRC, Hercules stands are supposed to not react with nitro-cellulose finishes.

Assault & Battery - Hawkwind

Time is Money (Bastard) - SWANS

I would say that you need to take a screwdriver (or two) to your next rehearsal, and adjust the pickup heights until you can hear each string clearly. Measurements are merely a "guide", then let your ears decide.

Loved my old Rockinbetter's, great necks.

Preacher Man - Fields of the Nephilim

Back in the 80's/90's, I used Rotosound RS66's, 40-90 IIRC, mainly because they were cheap, and readily available in most shops. The quality control was never that great, and they never seemed to last that long. They were cheap though. Tried Elites Stadiums for a while, they were alright, wasn't blown away. Fender Stainless Steels (7350?), were superb. Great sound, lasted for ages and were reasonably priced. Shame that they discontinued them. Warwick Red Label Stainless Steels. Rough and ready, lasted for ages and sounded decent. Cheap & cheerful. Dunlop Stainless Steel were great, on some basses, they sounded ace, on others, they sounded meh. D'Addario Pro Steels, current favourites. Sound ace on the Ric.

I did think that way with the first 4003 I had (which I regrettably had to sell), but this current one, it's already acquired quite a few knocks & scrapes before I bought it. Definitely "player grade" / "roadworn". Sounds immense though.

Love the shape of the Fortress.

Problem Child - AC/DC

(Only) The Dead Dreams of the Cold War Kid - Hawklords (aka Hawkwind)

Sounds like an impromptu Scotland Bass Bash.