Ibanez's quality control over the years

[Professor Jones]

Are there golden years and crappy years in term of quality control at Ibanez ? I'm asking because my RG570 EX CPK, made in 2001, has several flaws but I didn't notice them when I bought it because it is my first guitar and I didn't have any clue back then.

Flaws include :

- the paint isn't evenly sprayed on the body
- the layer of paint is very thin, and thus chips very easily
- the volume and tone pots aren't perpendicular to the body
- you can feel the seamline between the neck and the neck binding

Is this normal an I'm expecting too much from a MIJ guitar, or I am just unlucky ?

Also, I would like to buy an RG550 from the 80's/ early 90's, how was the quality of Ibanez guitars back then as compared to today's quality level (for MIJ models) ?

[ibanezcollector]

i'd take a late 80's RG over any of the new ones..

[red5]

I havent seen any of those issues (yet).

[glockhead]

But.... how does it play?

[Ibateur]

I have an 02 RG570EX. No issues that I didn't create myself.

Paint is indeed thin, but I only noticed because of a chip inside the spring cavity. None of the issues you mention are apparent on mine. I'm very satisfied with it

I had a MIJ 87 (?) RoadstarII that I thought was great.

[Earthrug]

If I had to pick some "Golden years" for MIJ Ibanez guitars, I would pick between the MID 70's to early 90's. I have owned all kinds of MIJ/ Ibanez guitars from those years and other than a "fluke" truss rod break on an 80's Roadstar II axe I have had nothing but GREAT times playing on Ibanez/MIJ guitars made from those years. Right now I own two Ibanez Keepers from those years. Ones a stock 1987 Roadstar II bass (black/maple/P&J) and the other is a stock 1990 RG770 (Lazer Blue/ Rosewood). Both guiatrs are rock solid/ pro gig axes period! The RG does have a finish on it that I would call "Thin", but that is only if you compare it to those "THICK SKIN" finishes that other companies are plopping out. To me it has the exact amount of finish a guitar should have on it.

[nightfiend14]

rg's have always been known to get paint chips very easily, I don't think the year matters much at all.