RG 1550 help needed

DangerStorm · #1 07-17-2006, 02:07 PM

Hi guys,

I just started getting into higher end ibanez guitars and have a alot to learn. I have been buying the "lower end" indonesian rg 350's 370's etc which I like but started looking into better quality japanese models to get into..... anyway I came here knowing you guys could answer some questions I have.

I just recently purchased an Ibanez RG 1550 with a serial number that starts with - F0244XXX when I tried to look up this guitar at Ibanez at this link http://www.ibanez.com/parts/2003_PAR...0BK_00_05.html
it says that the production year is 2003.
So my question would the serial number on mine indicate it was produced in 2002? And if so why is there no info on it?

Does anyone have any info on the rg 1550 as to production years.
Mine is the black one with maple neck (im not sure if there were other colors/necks)

Thanks in advance for any insight you guys can give.

Danger

sniperfrommars1 · #2 07-17-2006, 04:15 PM

God my memory is bad i thought 03 was the transition year, not 02.

Eggy · #3 07-17-2006, 04:18 PM

*shouts*...... HEY RICH !!

DangerStorm · #4 07-17-2006, 04:51 PM

yeah it would seem from that ibanez URL that that it is 03.

DangerStorm · #5 07-19-2006, 12:07 PM

So where is Rich?

GAZ · #6 07-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Although the model year is designated as '03', actual production of the RG1550 ran from November 2002 to October 2003, so yours is a very early one !!!!!

DangerStorm · #7 07-19-2006, 01:04 PM

GAZ thanks for the help...

That would be cool if it was an early one but November?

I thought that in the serial (F0244XXX) the first 4 after the 2 was to indicate the month so April. Maybe they don't do that anymore? What do you think?
I guess I might be more concerned now that I got a parts guitar or it's faked somehow ......everything seems to be original though and looks exactly like the one pictured at the Ibanez URL so you can see my confusion.

King Nothing · #8 07-19-2006, 02:52 PM

i've got a 1997 rg570. The back of the headstock says it's a '96 but the metalflake green paint job was only offered in '97. So nothin to worry about man, your guitar isn't a parts guitar, ibanez just starts production early

DangerStorm · #9 07-19-2006, 04:29 PM

ok cool that makes me feel a little better.

sniperfrommars1 · #10 07-19-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Nothing

i've got a 1997 rg570. The back of the headstock says it's a '96 but the metalflake green paint job was only offered in '97. So nothin to worry about man, your guitar isn't a parts guitar, ibanez just starts production early

Well the neck pocket would likely be stamped 1550 on the neck side that is. And since that model wasnt available in 02 yours is an early production 1550.

DangerStorm · #11 07-19-2006, 08:52 PM

Ok I'll check it........

Not that is matters, but what do you guys think a fair price for a 1550 would be?

Lets say the condition was a 9/10, 10 being new.

I'm just curious.. I'm pretty sure I over paid for mine but I REALLY wanted it.

sniperfrommars1 · #12 07-19-2006, 11:20 PM

Im not sure what they are selling for. If you bought it new i wouldnt imagine you paid more than 7 or 800 for it. OUt of curiosity how much Did you pay?

DangerStorm · #13 07-19-2006, 11:48 PM

I know what I paid is high but I paid $650 for it one because of the condition and two because I can't get a new one like this. At least if there are new ones like this (black body maple fretboard) I can't find them.

King Nothing · #14 07-20-2006, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniperfrommars1

Well the neck pocket would likely be stamped 1550 on the neck side that is. And since that model wasnt available in 02 yours is an early production 1550.

lol, you quoted me on accident

GAZ · #15 07-20-2006, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerStorm

GAZ thanks for the help...

That would be cool if it was an early one but November?

I thought that in the serial (F0244XXX) the first 4 after the 2 was to indicate the month so April. Maybe they don't do that anymore? What do you think?
I guess I might be more concerned now that I got a parts guitar or it's faked somehow ......everything seems to be original though and looks exactly like the one pictured at the Ibanez URL so you can see my confusion.

The month designation was/is by a prefix letter not number (F would be June) but your 'F' stands for Fujigen. It was the 44,XXX th guitar produced in 2002 in the Fujigen factory.