I spent last Saturday morning playing both at a local dealer, so here goes..
It's not always the case (but usually in my experience) but the baja weighed about 2 pounds more (7-7.5 vs 9++).
The baja neck is thick the 52 not thin, just less thick by a noticeable amount.
the setup was quite different on them, maybe due to neck radius difference or frets, I dunno but the 52 had lower action.
The pickup specs are worlds apart, but if you're the tinkering kind, that wouldn't matter (I am).
I'm not gonna be much help with this opinion: "The baja is a great $700 guitar and the 52RI is a great $1400 guitar".
If I was being given one, I'd take the 52RI (definitely prettier), but if I was paying, I could make the Baja amazing with different pickups, wiring and setup for under a grand.
Buy either one though!
