RG550 vs RG2570

kyotochocobo · #1 01-05-2008, 07:18 PM

Decisions decisions.

I've got the choice between a black '99 RG550 and a silver '05 RG2570, $600 and $500 respectively. I've played both models and don't really have a preference one way or another. Can anyone give me some more info that might sway my decision one way or another? Disregard pickups since they will eventually be swapped out on either.

My playing style is mostly hard rock and metal.

Thanks!

**jono** · #2 01-05-2008, 07:36 PM

I'd be looking for an Edge trem with locking trem posts if possible - which the 99 RG550 should have.

By 2005 the switch to the newer Edge Pro trem had been made, which although it's still a brilliant unit, isn't my personal fave.

That's the major difference I think you need to consider, along with your choice of scratchplate or not.

Drow Swordsman · #3 01-05-2008, 10:42 PM

I love the matching headstock silver 2570's, I don't know if they did that in 05 or not though.

TheDarkOne · #4 01-06-2008, 01:49 AM

I would get the 2570. I don't think pickguards look good on superstrats. and the 2570 is a nice color, cept' I don't like that the texture on the vital silver color.

kyotochocobo · #5 01-06-2008, 02:02 AM

Thanks for the feedback.

@ jono: Yea, the RG550 has the original edge while the RG2570 has the newer edge pro, though again, after playing both I didn't really feel much of a difference between the two. I'm still quite a novice guitar player though, this might change down the line.

@ Drow: Nope, this one doesn't have the matching headstock, sadly. I thought it looked awesome too, but a minor detail I suppose.

@ TheDarkOne: I actually bent the truth a little when I said I played both models, I really played the RG1570, which is essentially the same guitar besides the finish and the pickups. What is the texture like on the RG2570?

courtney2018 · #6 01-06-2008, 02:13 AM

It's got a flat silver base with silver gloss paint splatter drops all over it giving it a slight texture. The splattered drops are quite thin so it's not a rough texture at all. It's smooth, but you can still tell that it's got a bit of a texture to it. I was "lucky" enough to get one that had the matching headstock. I just wish the gold version had a matching headstock. I don't think it ever did though.

Dee · #7 01-06-2008, 04:21 AM

99 RG550

Vinco · #8 01-06-2008, 06:54 AM

2570 has IBZ/DiMarzio pickups.

If the 99' 550 has V pickups then my choice would defintely be the 2570!

peromucho7 · #9 01-06-2008, 07:29 AM

2570 is MUCH better then 550 only if they are in simmilar conditton. If is so, than 2550 has excellent dimarzzio IBZ pickups, AND prestige tretmant to neck and fingerboard and I am shure You will like that, I have bouth guitars and difference in neck is extreme, even with SAME width, prestige neck on 2570 feel like complittely different neck and very comfortable.
Still advice is to tray exact ( or at least same model) guitar before bying.
regards

no1spretty · #10 01-06-2008, 09:46 AM

I have an RG550 (20th anniversary) and my friend has the RG2570. My preference is the rg550. maple fretboard, thinner neck, more comfortable bridge and better pickups IMO

atimoc · #11 01-06-2008, 10:34 AM

For what it's worth I used to have a 550 and a 1550, and kept the 550. It was 13 years older than the 1550, busted and scratched but still for some reason it felt better in almost every way. The only downside was the block heel which should already be AANJ in the '99 version. Price-wise the 2570 seems like a much better deal, but personally if I was looking for a keeper I would take the 550.

richard1973 · #12 01-06-2008, 10:40 AM

what about the fret condition? the '99 550 model is gonna have 6 more years of wear? Or are they both in mint condition and been stored away, or not had much use?

Dee · #13 01-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peromucho7

2570 is MUCH better then 550 only if they are in simmilar conditton. If is so, than 2550 has excellent dimarzzio IBZ pickups, AND prestige tretmant to neck and fingerboard and I am shure You will like that, I have bouth guitars and difference in neck is extreme, even with SAME width, prestige neck on 2570 feel like complittely different neck and very comfortable.
Still advice is to tray exact ( or at least same model) guitar before bying.
regards

MUCH better? This is not true at all. The build quality is pretty much the same, and Prestige finishing to the frets is merely a luxury. In practice, you don't feel any difference. The 550 is a better guitar IMO because of the Edge trem. Edge Pro isn't as good. 550 looks better too. The lumpy paint on the 2570 is horrible. Pickups can be replaced easily when finances allow, and no guitar should be purchased based on pickups anyway.

kyotochocobo · #14 01-06-2008, 02:13 PM

Condition wise they're both in decent condition, the 2570 slightly better, being 6 years newer and whatnot. Both have minor cosmetic scratches here and there but play like new.

Having actually tried out the 2570, I'm still seeing very few discernible differences between the two.

Looks like I'll be taking the 2570 over the 550, at $500 CAD, I can put the money I save towards a better amp or better pickups.

peromucho7 · #15 01-06-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

MUCH better? This is not true at all. The build quality is pretty much the same, and Prestige finishing to the frets is merely a luxury. In practice, you don't feel any difference. The 550 is a better guitar IMO because of the Edge trem. Edge Pro isn't as good. 550 looks better too. The lumpy paint on the 2570 is horrible. Pickups can be replaced easily when finances allow, and no guitar should be purchased based on pickups anyway.

Dear Dee, I can't compare every 550 and 2570 but with mine guitars, bouth of bought new,
first: neck on 550 feel like unfinished square piece of wood, until in my anger , and this could bee good tip, I take botom of pick and press it against top and botom edge of fretboard from first to last fret and smooth extremly sharp edge of fretboardand, after that neck was MUCH more comfortable, neck on 2570 is far more comfortable then neck on my 550 and feel much THINNER and faster.
My Edgepro has longer sustein then LoProEdge,and inonation is better on Edgepro, and the bigest difference is that 2570 has perfect tension, on 550 any finger band greater then 3 steps take strings to the point of brake, while on 2570 edge pro I can bend 5-6 steps easily, amd tension on fast or chordal playin is stil excellent.
With pickups: where V pickups are dying on me, 2570 dimarzzios still strongly sing, with fastpicked high notes there is greater definition, and when play with palm muting 2570 dimarzzios sending MUCH more melodyc content then V pickups.