It's NIB...well it was until I took outa the box.
You don't like slick actions and fast necks? I do no matter what company make them. I like fenders and Gretsch too..Gibsons are too heavy for me to play for long periods of time but I like them too and have owned variuos models from each mob. Owned a couple of peaveys and a couple of matons as well.
I must admit I prefer my guitars older as well, as the wood gets aged the guitar will sound even better but new guitars don't need breaking in as such.

i like very fast actions and dont like those style bridges.
but rics are good guitars but as you said they are unique sound and they need to be suited to you.
i used to own fenders and im not a fan really they are too plain imo. gibsons are nice but not my style. i mostly had esp's and Jacksons, but i used to go through guitars like it was going out of fasion. had an esp kirk H guitar, was good not a fan of the band but was a fast guitar took ages to break in, as my uncle owned a music store id be trading and swapping guitars and what not. ive picked up a few ric's of his for a play as he is a collector as well very nice guitar great quality just didnt suit me. Gretsch are another guitar like rics you need to play to the guitars style. rics demand respect i think and i dont play a guitar with much respect.
but the fastest guitar i have come across was the one i have now had the longest time, and thats my peavey Vandenberg, never been a peavey fan and still arent but man do i love this guitar. but guitars are like cars, you need to buy one that suits you
i do beleive guitars break in, frets feel better after user lots of use and the action changes