Ibanez RG550

Double locking blocked LO pro edge Floyd Rose, stock IBZUSA pickups (H,S,H) manufactured by Dimarzio. The humuckers are equivalent to a souped up PAF Pro, and teh Single coil is the same as the HS-2. Excellent neck. Very low action. Unbelievable.

It can be used to play anything. Mostly metal and instrumental solos, but is pretty versatile. With my cheap Johnson acoustic amp, it even sounds great. These pickups are awesome. Now that I blocked the tremolo the sustain is much better and it stays in tune for the rest of your life.

Action is low and awesome. Pick ups are awesome. Excellent look. CLosest thing to the JEM, if not the same thing just without the monkey grip.

Reliable and durable for anything, anywhere, anytime. Hardware is high quality, finish is long lasting.

Never dealt with them

Its really a JEM without the monkey grip. In Fact, Steve Vai built his JEM based on the RG550 platform. I have two rg550's, one with stock action, and the other with slightly lower action and a blocked tremolo(awesome). Both really are shred masters!! If any one of them were stolen, there will be a big war between me and the thief. To put something into consideration, www.warmoth.com with make any custom guitar. I will have them build me a JEM7VWH.

This is an ibanez RG550 jap guitar. It has 24 jumbo frets that leave room for options (fretless...). strat figure bit a little sharper with a pick shield.
It has a volume and tone knobs, a 5 way switch.
H/S/H.
It has locking on the edge of the riff and double locking with a floyd rose tremolo on the bridge.
It has a super wizard thin neck maple made.

I like all kinds of music, from rock, blues, jazz to eastern off scales music.
The guitar gives great sound on all configurations, clean or not.
i'm using a crate 60W amp, it is really bright, i like it. and a korg ax100g multieffect.
If you turn the gain up to full and use the single coil s1 pickup it might sound a little buzzy but noone really uses that pickup like that.
It has amazing sound with soft dreamy effects like chorus and reverb.
It has amazing feedbacks and screming posibilities.

If you like soloing and different types of melodies she is for you.
You can easly get the joe satriani sound out of it and more.

The super wizard neck came perfectly fit to my needs low profile action with no buzzing. It's fast free and easy to play it with those jumbo and flat frets.
The floyd rose tremolo with the double locking keeps the guitar always in tune. you can bend 2 tones and raise an octave do a dive and it's perfectly in tune!!!!!!!!!1 unnormal!!!

The guitar is just diamond solid! i would use it on any ocation.
It has great finish to last for years. I got myn used from a second jand guitar shop and it was in perfect shape no complais.

never used ibanez.

iv'e been playing for 5 years. i started with a old samick classic guitar and moved to a start fake by discovery electric guitar that had 21 frets on humbucker and two singles. roundy frets and noise g string. so i think moving up to this RG 550 made my life easier. it gives you space to improve. i would go up the rg ladder to a prestige model after all you have to advance.

I have 2 Ibanez 550DY Desert Yellow - black pickguard.
1984??? I think and 1994 I think?
Both have FREDS in the Bridge pickup.
double locking EDGE Trem keeps these in tune for ever!
Old I bought used. And the New one I bout off Ebay.

They both sound great!
The FREDS make them scream on solos. and they have a very heavy thick and bright. The newer 550 does sound a bit thicker.
I use 10's on the new 550 and 9's on the old one.

I play so much on the old 550 I have acquired a nice buzz when I play the second fret. But It's almost 20 years old!

Action - Low as can possibly be.
Extreamly Fast.
I adjust everything my self since I put my own pickups in.
there was no flaws on the New 550. They look great as long as you like yellow! :)

Live Playing - hell yeah!
Well it's almost been 20 years on the old 550 and It's been throuhg one fret Job and needs another and the phone jack is starting to loose connection. Few Nicks and dents. Paint cracked at Neck Joint after someone droped it but the paint is still looking fairly new. I have never tighted a strap button.
the new 550 is still mint. 0 flaws.
I use both live. The phone jack on the old 550 is driving me crazy but that can be easily fixed!

never!

I have been playing about 20 years.
I wish I had asked if I would have been addicted to yellow after I bought this. ha!
I love the sound the speed and percision I can play at. I hate that after 20 years I have to retire it and the fact that they seem to only come in Black now.

Hello Ibanez I want another new one but I don't want it black. I like yellow! Actually I wish they would build this guitar. basicaly a 550 with the shark tooth inlays. Or can I buy the EDGE trem and put it on a guitar with the shark tooth inlays? I could Care less about the pickups because I am going to put a FRED on it!



I love playing this damn thing.

I think anyone who is serious enough about guitars knows what features this one has :)

From metal to jazz, anything is possible with this guitar

I only got mine about three days ago, new for only $375 and it's very well set up, very low action and it sounds great.

Hopefully this guitar will last ages. I use to have an ibanez jpm1 model and it was a dream. After selling it back in 2000 I've pretty much been without a guitar since. The reason I bought this one was mainly becuase it sounds and feels very similar to my old jpm. A few things I like about his guitar in particular, compared to some older and more expensive ibanez models, such as the old jems and jpm models would be the newer neck joint for easier access, and also on the newer ibanez range, most of them have the babinga reinforced neck which is very reasuring. This is certainly a rock solid guitar for the serious player; now if only I was good enough to fall under that phrase "serious player" hehehe

Not sure, never had to contact them. Only if I'm putting in an order; I work for a large music store back home in England www.vibesmusic.co.uk

OK I dont know if I've got the right model here, but it is an RG. Bought it second hand. Don't know where it was made. It is a dark purple colour (almost black). I haven't changed the pickups H,S,H. 22 threts. Floid Rose trem, locked tuning, 5 way switch, 1 tone, 1 volume, pasive pickups. I like the metal nobs on this, as they seem alot sterdier than those plastic Fender ones.

This is definately a rock/metal guitar. As that is what I play most of the time through a Marshall Valvestate, it is the business. The sound isn't particularly bright, not like say a Les Paul. However, it is powerful especially the neck pick up which has a warm bassy sound and the whole set up is very responsive. On clean tones the Humbuckers are very fat and flat sounding.. You need to fiddle around with the EQ to get a nice clean tone. That may be different on other amps. Marshall are known more for the overdrive.

The action is realy low and the neck is fast. This is a confortable guitar to play quickly. I like the weight and general shape. It's pretty light and and pointy. One problem though is the Floid Rose. The bar wobbles in the nut. Also the tuning does slip especially the G. However, it was second hand so I wouldn't blame Ibanez for that.

Considering this is second hand and I've played it pretty much every day for the last 7 years, it's stood up realy well. However, I do take care of my guitars and don't chuck them around or drop them. I can feel confident in playing this live.

I've never delt with Ibanez. The only work done on this is the occasional service. I change strings every few weaks. I had to get one of the locking nuts replaced as when I first had it I put the lock thing on round the wrong way and chipped off some of the metal. Dummy!

If some one stole this, I'd beat them to death with my old strat copy. If I lost it I'd cut of a hand. I haven't tried the newer Ibanez RGs but if there still the same quality I'd definately get another.Although I admit I'd be torn between replacing it or saving up my pennies to get a PRS, )lots of pennies that is)

Mine is a 1989 made in Japan 24 fret standard rg 550. Standard H-S-H pickup config. Super thin and fast Wizard neck. the color is a very bright orange. Still has original pickups.

I play everything from blues to progressive rock to jazz and my 550 does all of them superbly. I play through an array of effects too numerous to mention but the highlights are an analogman comprosser, original 808 tubescreamer, vox wah (modded to true bypass), voodoo labs sparkle drive. I've been meaning to replace the pickups with some newer dimarzios but just haven't gotten around to it but the stock pickups aren't bad considering that they're stock.

I bought this guitar used a few months ago and had to have it set up since the person who had it before me played extremely light strings. Once the guitar was set up for heavier strings it plays wonderfully. the neck is very flat and thin. The edge tremolo stays in tune extremely well and has a very fluid range of motion. The body shape is also very comfortable to play and allows for excellent access to the upper frets. It does have several dings and scratches, as most 13 year old used guitars do. but other than that it looks great.

This guitar is extremely well built. the hardware does show some signs of wear but like I said its 13 years old. This guitar is a workhorse that was designed for night after night gigging. I would definitely depend on it but I would never play a gig without a back up.

Can't really say much about this Ive never tried to contact Ibanez. General opinion seems to be that they are pretty useless. no such thing as a warranty on a used 13 year old guitar.

I have been playing for over 15 years. I own several other guitars and too much gear to list. If it dissapeared I would be dissappointed but not destroyed. I love this guitar but finding another on ebay doesn't appear to be to difficult. I would most definitely replace it. I wish that it came with better pickups but for the price it's hard to find another guitar that plays that smooth and is this comfortable in my hands.

Bought mine new in 1989. Atlantic Blue color; never seen another in this color. I bought it because it was one of the first mass produced guitars with H-S-H pickup configuration, 24 frets and a recessed Floyd.

Original V1 and V2 humbuckers are OK, but I shoulda replaced 'em years ago with something better. Good guitar for metal, though.

No complaints here

Replaced the p'up switch a few years ago. Everything else has held up pretty well, EXCEPT(here we go) the neck. Early RGs had deeper holes drilled for the Floyd Rose nut, making for a very unreliable headstock. Mine has cracked 3 times. The first two it was repaired easily, but the last time rendered it unrepirable.

HORRIBLE!!! I've tried to get a replacement neck through Ibanez directly and through 2 dealers, all with no success. Yes, I offered to pay for it, not turn it in on the warranty. Now I have a guitar that is totally useless until I can find a used one to rip the neck off of!

I've been playing for 20 years, and also own an SRV Strat.I liked playing my 550 and miss gigging with it,but next time I'm guitar shopping, I'll make sure I buy from a company that actually CARES about their customers. Anytime you can't decide between an Ibanez and some other guitar, pick the other one!!!

'92 Japan, in the Fujigen Factory! 24 frets, solid top, standard H-S-H. I bought it off some guy on ebay and he'd replaced the pickups with a Dimarzio Air Norton in the neck and a DiMarzio Evolution in the bridge. Mine also came with a Lo Pro Edge, although I'm aware most of the 550's come with the Edge. Don;t know if the orignal owner did the mod himself.

I'll give it an 8 without my mods, a 10 with them.

I won't give an opinion of the sound since I've nvere heard the stock pickups. I still have the S7 single coil and it sounds like $hit, though I'm not sure how the humbuckers would sound.

Do yourself a favor and swap in a couple of DiMarzios. I'd give it a 10 with those upgrades.

Simply incredible. If you have not had the chance to play an early 90's RG 550, you're missing out. No problems at all with fret buzzing or misalignment commonly assoicated with Korean guitars (my JS-100 and SA-160QM can attest to that).

It just feels incredibly solid. The neck on this guitar is better than most Fender Strat USA necks. Very smooth and the high quality maple. Even the newer Japanese necks don't look this good. I've seen a few JEM 7VWH with necks that don't look as good as this. My guess is that Ibanez eventually scaled down on these guitars to save costs. My two Korean Ibanezes don't even come close, and my Korean JS cost twice as much!

Veteran collectors will tell you, most early 90's Japanese guitars are superior to USA made guitars(e.g, Ibanezes and Fenders) I can't vouch for the validity of that, but I will tell you this guitar plays and feels better than any US Strat I've ever played.

The Ibanez Lo Pro Edge is the most amazing Floyd Rose i've ever had so far. A far cry from my Lo TRS II equippeed JS-100. I have yet to go out of tune with this thing, and I set this up myself, not professionally!

Pickup adjustment is as easy an on any guitar. I've busted this open on a few occasions to swap pickguards.

I did this really funky thing where I put an Evangelion Japanese Anime graphic image onto a custom black design-a-guard pickguard from Jeannie pickguards. It just looks incredible. Since the guard is clear, it really looks like a custom paint job I had done, unless one inspects it closely and discovers the paper cutout ^_^

The owner also had straplocks installed so this thing is a marvel of modification ^_^ The hardware has some oxidation and wear after 10 years in existence, but that's to be expected I suppose.

Never Gig without a backup, that's a golden rule! That said though, I probably wouldn't need a backup, but I keep my JS for that purpose nonetheless. Its funny that a signature guitar plays second fiddle to a mid-priced guitar, but that's how it is.

Dunno. Heard it was pretty bad though.

I've been playing for 10 years. I do stuff from Vai to Metallica, and Stevie Ray vaughan. The RG is really a Rock guitar. It sounds incredible for that type of music.

Some people claim this guitar has absolutely no tone when played clean. Unfortunateley I must agree. If you're looking for a bluesy Strat tone, you won't find it here, nto even with the pickups replaced.

If it were lost, the heavens would weep(or at least I would) ^_^; i would probably buy another one or a 570. Probably the nicest Ibanez guitar you can get short of getting a Prestige or JEM, or Universe(jeez who has the money for these?). The fact that it resembles those guitar shapewise doesn't hurt either.

2000 model made in japan,24 frets,black with black pic guard (scratches very easy )volume tone 5 way selector switch h/s/h pickup conf,basswood body,maple neck,locking floyd rose bridge,wizard 2 neck.

sounds great played through my marshall avt 20 very rich full sound when using the neck p/u (v7). I like classic rock above all and this guitar gives me all the tone I need for this.personaly I dont have a problem with the p/u sounds v7 s1 v8

this guitar was set up great with low action and no fret buzz.as with many reviewers here my strap buttons were loose also I bought a Daddario strap that is supposed to fit all guitars, it has plastic locking ends that ratchet in place (cool idea)but this is not made for the RG 550.AFTER MUCH STRUGGLE TO GET THE STRAP ON I CHIPPED THE PAINT ON THE GUITAR.all leather is the only way to go for this guitar.that aside, everything about this guitar feels good and i realy love the neck.

i dont play live so i cant comment on that. the hardware seems very solid and i wipe everything down after playing,i also use some lemon oil on the neck to keep things like new.i think this guitar will last a very long time if looked after.the strap buttons came loose on me again and i think i will try adding some wood glue to the threads

never delt with them.

I havent been playing this guitar for very long but i love it.if it were stolen i would indeed buy another,or atleast an rg 570.then i would hunt down the person who took it and shove a cattle prod up his but and drain the batteries on it.I will soon buy an effects processorto finish off my gear.

Great Liscensed Floyd Rose, Beautiful thin profile, flat 24 fret maple fretboard/maple neck. Locking nut, H-S-H pickup layout with 5-way strat switch. Position 1 & 5 is your humbuckers, 3 is the single coil and 2 & 4 give you that awsome in between Strat sound. This guitar is a nice ballance of Van Halen shred machine and Fender Strat.

Don't let people tell you that the trems on these won't stay in tune, these are just people that have no idea how to set up a floating trem. I set this up following the instructions in "Guitar Player Repair Guide" (great book BTW) and I've stayed in tune for 4 weeks and counting now with moderate trem use (a dive bomb here and there too :-)

The humbuckers are pretty raunchy, but you can get a nice clean sound with the 5-way in positions 2,3,4. This guitar is a hard rocker/heavy metal, but you can squeeze some nice strat sounds out of it too.

Nice low action, beautiful finish, excellent apointments. Great purple finish :-)

This sucker is a tank! It's a 1992 model and It was used by the kind of guy who put stickers all over it and didn't take great care of it. A couple of hours of cleaning and setup and she was ready to rock for another 10 years.

Ibanez doesn't seem to reply to their emails and the one Ibanez dealer I tried to get parts from were useless knobs :-( So, who cares, learn to fix 'em yourself and scour eBay for parts like I do
;-)

I've gone through around 30 guitars in my near 30 years of playing and this sucker is the most fun versitaille guitar I've EVER picked up! This is hands down the best bang for the buck I've ever gotten on a used guitar!!! If I ever lost this guitar I wouldn't hessitate to run out and buy another one (or 2).