I just bought the yellow one. Even I m a fender strat player I could not resist to buy this Ibanez. Good quallity and total atention to details. 100% recomended if you wanted one of these in the 80’ but only did have money to buy a used Squire (which I still have). great video guys.
This. I wanted one of these when I was learning as a teen in the late 80's but it never happened. I also ended up with a Squire, although it was new :) Was able to acquire a Purple one just recently from Sweetwater! Teenage dream accomplished!
Bought the yellow. Loved it so much bought the red. Loved it so much, bought the purple. Wish I could find a white one now. A complete Genesis collection.
Amigo yo soy Chileno, y tengo el honor de que por fin pude conseguir la IBANEZ RG550, la misma del video, color blanco con las capsulas HSH V8 en el puente y V7 en el mástil, y más encima tengo la pedalera multiefecto BOSS GT1000, conectada a 2 amplificadores Fender Americanos, bueno que te puedo decir, SUENA DE DIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here in Asia we get an Ibanez model grx55b that looks exactly the same, even the colours except its more affordable. I don't know if its available in Europe
WOW that white RG550 🎸 I really like that Ibanze . And Let.... Is a great guitarist . GAK y'all 🤘 . Thanks TroyFrost / Troyster 😎 CoolRiffs 😎 Cool 🎸 🤘🤘 🤘
The thing about the neck being smaller on the Genesis is not true. The neck had no name in the 1987 catalog but the thickness was the same. They used the Wizard name for a long time until they finally named the ever thickening Wizard to Wizard HP and reissued the original rg neck under the Super Wizard name. So the Genesis neck is just about the same as the original. The only differences are that it's made out of five pieces for durability, there is a bump under the first fret so that the neck won't break if the guitar falls and finally, the truss rod is dual action.
I don’t think so. Watch the demo with jen majura on youtube rg550 and she tests the old and new one after the other and says the genesis neck is flatter
I ordered the Purple RG 550 Genesis this week 11/9 and waiting on it’s arrival. I have the 89’ RG 570 (purple)I love but mostly playing the RG 450DX(white) till my 550 arrives. I have tried many guitars Fender strat, Gibson Les Paul, & Charvel San Dimas was closest to the sound I crave but sold them to get my new 550. It was just made for me....#Ibanez🎸❤️
I had a 570 in 1990 for like $600 and I got a guy to make me a clear pick guard but he just messed it up, I sold it for $300. Now I have the opportunity to own it again.
The are few mistakes. First of all the neck is different, the original one was a one piece maple neck (or two piece, considering the headstock as a different part), the original pickups were the V1, V2 and S1, in 1994/95 the moved to the V7/V8, probably when they introduced the AANJ (All Acces Neck Joint). Aniway it's a fantastic guitar, I've had an original 91 550 and it was an unbelievable shred machine, so much comfortable. Love the white one :-D
Would a guitar with such a thin flat neck suit a relative beginner returning to playing after 15 years away ? The guitar that's been gathering dust is a Fender Japan 57 reissue (made in early 90's). Totally appreciate that locking trem set up will be a skill to learn.
Me too, 1987 RG550DY. Got it second hand from my guitar teacher 20+ years ago, my very first electric. Still have it and its my favorite go to axe to this day, even with having an 91 RG565LB, a couple early 2000s JEMs and a few Fenders... Really want either another original or this Genesis reissue in Road Flare Red to compliment my Desert Sun Yellow.
They’re both great guitars. I’ve had a chance to own both models over the years. I got the original RG550 when I started playing guitar back in late 80’s (loved it so much, but it got stolen). I like the RG2550z better because of the Edge-Zero system, It really makes a difference in stability. I vote RG2550z
There is no hear say fellas. The RG came after the original JEM based on that design. For a RUclips channel that promotes guitars you should be onto it
Yes. The quality of the guitar is top notch, so you'll never need to worry about outgrowing it quality wise. The significant learning curve is going to be negotiating the tremolo when you change strings and do setups. Floyd Rose style trems are kind of a pain in the ass till you figure them out. But there are lots of good videos on RUclips to help with figuring them out!
Hell, yes! Owned an original first-year (1987) model from 1989 to 2016. (Forced to sell it for financial reasons that year.) This one can satisfy for a LIFETIME. In my opinion, it's one of the best all-purpose rock guitars you can get, and easily one of the sweetest guitars I have ever played.
First time I've watched you guys, you where entertaining I'm getting the white one it will be my eighth guitar I own. I only own American & Japanese guitars. What do you think of Godin guitars, they are min price in America close to $2000 those same models in Australia go for $695 brand new with a great gig bag to boot, only one shop does it they're the only shop that stocks them here as far as I know. They are so cheap for $ 2000 being an American made guitar , let alone $695 how do they do it ? They make amazing guitars with a Canadian rock maple body & neck the redline 3 I mean . ( The parts are made in Canada )I subscribed cheers guys. Sorry for the long response & question.
man you guys made the pickups sound great (even with distortion) while they do suck on most demo's.. I'm wondering if I have to change them eventually after I get it!
I've found it difficult to get a great heavy sound with the 550. Not sure if it's the basswood or what. Ended up with a Evo2. Tried 3 Duncan's and they sounded nothing like they do in my other guitars.
@@wills8705 I doubt it's the basswood, even concrete strats sound like a strat (check youtube), and i also have 2 of the exact same guitar but they still sound different. anyway yea, I doubted that they'd get that heavier tone I was after so I bought another model (another ibanez rg)
@@wills8705 Duncan’s just don’t sound good in RGs. They sound great in alder guitars though. It took me a while but I dialed in a tone that’s brutal with the RG 550. It made me appreciate lower output pickups for heavier music. My tone is basically a patch of a mid modded JCM-800 with a TS in front 50/50, with rich delay and reverb. The V pickups really work with a high gain Marshall or EL34 amp.
Charvel has real S.Duncan pickups and a compound radious neck and cost around the same price.They also have a new model,the DK 24 Pro Mod,with 24 frets and roasted maple neck,like the custom shop Guthrie Govan model,that costs a little bit more. The RG's Ibanez pickups suck,you need to put some proper DiMarzios on it,to make it sound good,also the neck is super thin and the fretboard radious is super flat.For fast shredding that's great but for rythm playing not so much. Compound Radious Charvel neck>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ibanez Wizard neck.
@@greekfreak1980 hmm. Guess it all depends on you as a player. The pups dont' suck on these. But pups are up to each individual. Just because Charvel comes w/ Seymours doesn't mean they're the set you really like. And if you have great tone in your fingers who cares. Don't really need all the fancy pups if you really know how to play. Which is why when these first came out most artists kept the stock pups. It wasn't till the artists started getting endorsement deals w/ pup companies that started making them change them out. And the for me the Charvel necks don't feel right, they look nice, but don't feel right in my hand. And as for not playing rhythm on these? I'm pretty sure players like: Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick, Paul Gilbert, Bruce Bouillet, Dexter Holland, Gary Holt, John Petrucci etc.. all would argue this. Although most of these guys are known for their blistering leads, they're also very well established Rhythm players as well.
@@arun7837 Not really. The Roadstars were incredible shredders, which in 87' became the RG "Roadstar Guitar". Roadstars started around 83' but prior to that into the 70's it was the Roadster..
I used to hate that focused, hi-fi, modern tone, but when you hear it played like that....I want one!! I mean, I want one for the fluoro... the Floyd...the 24 frets and super scoop cutaways....The contoured heel joint (the modern one, not that poor excuse you dished up today!) ...But now I want one for the tone too. Ibanez...you complete me!! Now hurry up and get in my possession!!
How do I say this politely? I want to learn about this guitar. like the playing, but I really didn't come here to hear it. Not hear you guys show off your guitar playing skills (which are pretty impressive). This video is about 75% (or more) playing.
its tilted and it's just fine, just like the originals. Remember just about every shredder used these w/ the tilt joint back in the day and it was just fine. I don't even really notice when playing
You guys need to research your facts before you make a video. You guys got a lot of information wrong. The RG550 got a 20th anniversary issue in 2007. I know, because I own one.
Get your facts straight. A new RG550 was introduced in 1997, like a 10th anniversary model. Then in 2007 the Ibanez RG550 was introduced again as a 25th anniversary model.
Not a fan of Ibanez designs lately. These things look pretty tasteless and toy-like, I must say. I have a japanese RG550 from 2001, in a "galaxy black" powder finish with a mirrored pickguard and a dark rosewood fretboard. Looks so much more classy than these things.
@Luke Aware of that obviously, but 80s hair metal isn't generally associated with good taste. Google that RG550EX BK - now that's a sexy looking RG, isn't it?
Hmmmm. Basswood. No Bass, soft Top-End, Soft Tone Wood with almost ZERO sustain or punch. This Tonewood has almost as little personality as Nebraska lol NEXT !!!!!
@@1970borntorun no it's really not. It's been proven so many times. With pick ups and electronics now and of course the way they primer and paint guitars today.. the wood really doesn't make much difference in tone. I have one of these w/ a set of Seymours in it (TB-6 and SH2) and I have another super strat made of Mahogony w/ the same pups and they both sound the same. Only difference between the two is I prefer the Ibanez cause of the neck and feel.. However, acoustics are a completely different story when it comes to wood/tone
I’m always impressed when soneone really makes beautiful music with a guitar. It isn’t very often on RUclips videos. happened today.
They released an RG550 for its 20th anniversary in 2007.
Was thinking the same thing...
I just bought the yellow one. Even I m a fender strat player I could not resist to buy this Ibanez. Good quallity and total atention to details. 100% recomended if you wanted one of these in the 80’ but only did have money to buy a used Squire (which I still have). great video guys.
This. I wanted one of these when I was learning as a teen in the late 80's but it never happened. I also ended up with a Squire, although it was new :) Was able to acquire a Purple one just recently from Sweetwater! Teenage dream accomplished!
Best guitar I’ve ever owned
I have an original 1989 RG750 in Violet Pearl. By far its the best guitar I have in my collection... and yes that includes my Gibson LP Standard!!
Bought the yellow. Loved it so much bought the red. Loved it so much, bought the purple. Wish I could find a white one now. A complete Genesis collection.
I couldn't find white either
I have a white model ;)
I have the white one now. I had to order it from a store in Japan.
@@alfredoverton9649how much did you pay in USD?
The video's length is 5:50 LOL!
Viewers: I see what you did there, GAK. :)
Very sneaky.
And you've got 55 likes.... I won't wreck it for you 🙂
Expected 4:20?
Great Solo at the end, cudos!
Brutal demo! And I always loved the White and Black RG550. Greetings from #Venezuela 🤘🏽😎🇻🇪
Amigo yo soy Chileno, y tengo el honor de que por fin pude conseguir la IBANEZ RG550, la misma del video, color blanco con las capsulas HSH V8 en el puente y V7 en el mástil, y más encima tengo la pedalera multiefecto BOSS GT1000, conectada a 2 amplificadores Fender Americanos, bueno que te puedo decir, SUENA DE DIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
La jem blanca con oro me acuerdo q la vendian como por 5000 verdes en allegro alla en el san ignacio. Tremenda guitarra
sweet licks, Lee Wrathe!
Love my ‘90 mint condition desert yellow RG 550!
Great demo! @leewrathe is such a great guitar player 👍
regular playing man I don't see anything special and extraordinary.
I own the white 1. And I can say I love this guitar.Plays so very nice.
Congratulations
Here in Asia we get an Ibanez model grx55b that looks exactly the same, even the colours except its more affordable. I don't know if its available in Europe
WOW that white RG550 🎸 I really like that Ibanze . And Let.... Is a great guitarist . GAK y'all 🤘 . Thanks TroyFrost / Troyster 😎 CoolRiffs 😎 Cool 🎸 🤘🤘 🤘
Got the white 1 coming my way from Sweetwater in about 2 weeks.
Daniel Hartman Niceeeeeee. Enjoy :)
how is it m8?
hey Daniel howz the rg so far ? I am just about the order the white one it should be great for shredding right ?
I'm looking to purchase a white one as well - what are your thoughts a year later?
the one guitar that i never sold ... love my 1990,s 550. lots have tried to fill the place but failed .
The thing about the neck being smaller on the Genesis is not true. The neck had no name in the 1987 catalog but the thickness was the same. They used the Wizard name for a long time until they finally named the ever thickening Wizard to Wizard HP and reissued the original rg neck under the Super Wizard name. So the Genesis neck is just about the same as the original. The only differences are that it's made out of five pieces for durability, there is a bump under the first fret so that the neck won't break if the guitar falls and finally, the truss rod is dual action.
I don’t think so. Watch the demo with jen majura on youtube rg550 and she tests the old and new one after the other and says the genesis neck is flatter
This statement is untrue I believe. They didn’t have the technology back then to make them thin.
Best demo of the RG-550 series. Got mine after watching it!
Does the tremolo stay in tune good?
@@FingerBob the EDGE is the best tremolo ever!
I ordered the Purple RG 550 Genesis this week 11/9 and waiting on it’s arrival. I have the 89’ RG 570 (purple)I love but mostly playing the RG 450DX(white) till my 550 arrives. I have tried many guitars Fender strat, Gibson Les Paul, & Charvel San Dimas was closest to the sound I crave but sold them to get my new 550. It was just made for me....#Ibanez🎸❤️
Was good of Rylan to step in and play it for us 👍
I had a 570 in 1990 for like $600 and I got a guy to make me a clear pick guard but he just messed it up, I sold it for $300. Now I have the opportunity to own it again.
Serious playing, mate!!!!
The are few mistakes. First of all the neck is different, the original one was a one piece maple neck (or two piece, considering the headstock as a different part), the original pickups were the V1, V2 and S1, in 1994/95 the moved to the V7/V8, probably when they introduced the AANJ (All Acces Neck Joint). Aniway it's a fantastic guitar, I've had an original 91 550 and it was an unbelievable shred machine, so much comfortable. Love the white one :-D
They didn’t add the all access neck joint to this guitar i guess to make it affordable and keep the price at $1000
Would a guitar with such a thin flat neck suit a relative beginner returning to playing after 15 years away ? The guitar that's been gathering dust is a Fender Japan 57 reissue (made in early 90's). Totally appreciate that locking trem set up will be a skill to learn.
Yes dude , this guitar plays buttery smooth. It's incredible for that price range.
have one in original color rg550 DY 🤟🏼
Me too, 1987 RG550DY. Got it second hand from my guitar teacher 20+ years ago, my very first electric. Still have it and its my favorite go to axe to this day, even with having an 91 RG565LB, a couple early 2000s JEMs and a few Fenders... Really want either another original or this Genesis reissue in Road Flare Red to compliment my Desert Sun Yellow.
Lee Vai!
that guitar player needs a record deal
Hey guys I need help. I'm looking for first guitar between rg550 and rg2550z which one is better?
Same here
550
did you end up with buying :D ?
They’re both great guitars. I’ve had a chance to own both models over the years. I got the original RG550 when I started playing guitar back in late 80’s (loved it so much, but it got stolen). I like the RG2550z better because of the Edge-Zero system, It really makes a difference in stability. I vote RG2550z
My first guitar costed £50 with an amp...
There is no hear say fellas. The RG came after the original JEM based on that design. For a RUclips channel that promotes guitars you should be onto it
Would you recommend this guitar to a semi beginner looking for a guitar to grow into and not grow out of?
Yes. The quality of the guitar is top notch, so you'll never need to worry about outgrowing it quality wise. The significant learning curve is going to be negotiating the tremolo when you change strings and do setups. Floyd Rose style trems are kind of a pain in the ass till you figure them out. But there are lots of good videos on RUclips to help with figuring them out!
Hell, yes! Owned an original first-year (1987) model from 1989 to 2016. (Forced to sell it for financial reasons that year.) This one can satisfy for a LIFETIME. In my opinion, it's one of the best all-purpose rock guitars you can get, and easily one of the sweetest guitars I have ever played.
love that guitar, easy to shred on...like melted butter... I bet when that guitar came out, you guys where little whippersnappers LOL...
i just wish they had a black headstock like the one i played all those years ago that got me into ibanez guitars
i prefer the matching colors..
What do you think of this VS the RG1070PBZ?
1070pbz is a stellar.... Good looking with very good specs on an affordable price
First time I've watched you guys, you where entertaining I'm getting the white one it will be my eighth guitar I own. I only own American & Japanese guitars. What do you think of Godin guitars, they are min price in America close to $2000 those same models in Australia go for $695 brand new with a great gig bag to boot, only one shop does it they're the only shop that stocks them here as far as I know. They are so cheap for $ 2000 being an American made guitar , let alone $695 how do they do it ? They make amazing guitars with a Canadian rock maple body & neck the redline 3 I mean . ( The parts are made in Canada )I subscribed cheers guys. Sorry for the long response & question.
Last payment today !
Hyping myself watching this
man you guys made the pickups sound great (even with distortion) while they do suck on most demo's.. I'm wondering if I have to change them eventually after I get it!
I've found it difficult to get a great heavy sound with the 550. Not sure if it's the basswood or what. Ended up with a Evo2. Tried 3 Duncan's and they sounded nothing like they do in my other guitars.
@@wills8705 I doubt it's the basswood, even concrete strats sound like a strat (check youtube), and i also have 2 of the exact same guitar but they still sound different. anyway yea, I doubted that they'd get that heavier tone I was after so I bought another model (another ibanez rg)
@@wills8705 Duncan’s just don’t sound good in RGs. They sound great in alder guitars though. It took me a while but I dialed in a tone that’s brutal with the RG 550. It made me appreciate lower output pickups for heavier music.
My tone is basically a patch of a mid modded JCM-800 with a TS in front 50/50, with rich delay and reverb. The V pickups really work with a high gain Marshall or EL34 amp.
You can change the bridge pickup to a dimarzio super distortion. Don't really need to get too fancy to make this guitar sound good
I've still yet to see these for sale anywhere.
po.st/PDhD8S | po.st/f8TL5V
riding on the metro...
Ibanez rg550 or Charvel pro mod dk24??
I’m with the same question
@@Ethelmer1 i am going for the schecter reaper man
The 550 is a slightly better build quality. However, both are excellent. The Charvel will produce a better sound for anything rock or heavier.
Charvel = sound
Ibanez = quality built
04:04 - 05:10 Through Her Eyes \m/
Have to say I don’t really dig the super thin necks anymore, but do love these guitars
Sadly the white one is no longer available. Very strangely discontinued by Ibanez. I'm baffled by that decision.
Funny Fender charges crazy money for reproductions of the origionals. This thing is made in japan for 1000 bucks!
where to find the proper 7mm tool for adjust RG 550 ?
This or charvel san dimas?
This is an always was the mother. Also more versatile than Charvel (I also love them, but 550 is 550 ;-) )
Charvel was making shred machines way before Ibanez...
Charvel has real S.Duncan pickups and a compound radious neck and cost around the same price.They also have a new model,the DK 24 Pro Mod,with 24 frets and roasted maple neck,like the custom shop Guthrie Govan model,that costs a little bit more.
The RG's Ibanez pickups suck,you need to put some proper DiMarzios on it,to make it sound good,also the neck is super thin and the fretboard radious is super flat.For fast shredding that's great but for rythm playing not so much.
Compound Radious Charvel neck>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ibanez Wizard neck.
@@greekfreak1980 hmm. Guess it all depends on you as a player. The pups dont' suck on these. But pups are up to each individual. Just because Charvel comes w/ Seymours doesn't mean they're the set you really like. And if you have great tone in your fingers who cares. Don't really need all the fancy pups if you really know how to play. Which is why when these first came out most artists kept the stock pups. It wasn't till the artists started getting endorsement deals w/ pup companies that started making them change them out. And the for me the Charvel necks don't feel right, they look nice, but don't feel right in my hand. And as for not playing rhythm on these? I'm pretty sure players like: Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick, Paul Gilbert, Bruce Bouillet, Dexter Holland, Gary Holt, John Petrucci etc.. all would argue this. Although most of these guys are known for their blistering leads, they're also very well established Rhythm players as well.
@@arun7837 Not really. The Roadstars were incredible shredders, which in 87' became the RG "Roadstar Guitar". Roadstars started around 83' but prior to that into the 70's it was the Roadster..
I used to hate that focused, hi-fi, modern tone, but when you hear it played like that....I want one!!
I mean, I want one for the fluoro... the Floyd...the 24 frets and super scoop cutaways....The contoured heel joint (the modern one, not that poor excuse you dished up today!)
...But now I want one for the tone too. Ibanez...you complete me!! Now hurry up and get in my possession!!
Is anyone selling one I've got money waiting
THE market for shredder guitar is still a great demand even though a lot of players are going acoustic.
How do I say this politely? I want to learn about this guitar. like the playing, but I really didn't come here to hear it. Not hear you guys show off your guitar playing skills (which are pretty impressive). This video is about 75% (or more) playing.
Shame it has the block style heal joint.
its tilted and it's just fine, just like the originals. Remember just about every shredder used these w/ the tilt joint back in the day and it was just fine. I don't even really notice when playing
They had to cut corners somewhere lol
You guys need to research your facts before you make a video. You guys got a lot of information wrong. The RG550 got a 20th anniversary issue in 2007. I know, because I own one.
Video is 5 minutes 50 seconds long. I see what you guys did there lol
Nice review, but I don't speak German.
Get your facts straight. A new RG550 was introduced in 1997, like a 10th anniversary model. Then in 2007 the Ibanez RG550 was introduced again as a 25th anniversary model.
Not a fan of Ibanez designs lately. These things look pretty tasteless and toy-like, I must say. I have a japanese RG550 from 2001, in a "galaxy black" powder finish with a mirrored pickguard and a dark rosewood fretboard. Looks so much more classy than these things.
Honigdachs Classy isn’t what they were going for...think retro 80’s.
Lol these are retro
@Luke Aware of that obviously, but 80s hair metal isn't generally associated with good taste. Google that RG550EX BK - now that's a sexy looking RG, isn't it?
Hmmmm. Basswood. No Bass, soft Top-End, Soft Tone Wood with almost ZERO sustain or punch. This Tonewood has almost as little personality as Nebraska lol NEXT !!!!!
"Tonewood" it's just a myth on electric guitars 🙄
@@iranhernandez6659 Were you dropped on your head when you were an Infant? Lol
1970borntorun It’s a fact ...the wood has minimal impact on a electric. As far as basswood goes...its preferred by Suhr and EVH...so there’s that.
@@deltawhiskey1398 It's a fact! You're a deaf idiot.
@@1970borntorun no it's really not. It's been proven so many times. With pick ups and electronics now and of course the way they primer and paint guitars today.. the wood really doesn't make much difference in tone. I have one of these w/ a set of Seymours in it (TB-6 and SH2) and I have another super strat made of Mahogony w/ the same pups and they both sound the same. Only difference between the two is I prefer the Ibanez cause of the neck and feel.. However, acoustics are a completely different story when it comes to wood/tone
Best guitar I’ve ever owned