Identify My RG!!!

Speedabob · #1 07-24-2007, 05:00 PM

Right so i got this a couple of months ago from the EvilBay, i have an idea that its a RG550 , but not entirely sure , and also i dont know what year its made in + the serial is missing. It does say Made In Japan though (check pics), GIMME SOME INFO! please.
Check Pics =].

Shot with Canon DIGITAL IXUS 40 at 2007-07-24

southpaw_lefty · #2 07-24-2007, 05:03 PM

looks like a 550 to me. I think they were available w/ rosewood board at one point.

Speedabob · #3 07-24-2007, 05:09 PM

any idea from what year it could be from?

urdvurk · #4 07-24-2007, 05:45 PM

H-S-H config with pickguard would indeed make it an RG550. What year it is from will be hard to determine if the serial number is gone, if not impossible.

It looks like the pickguard is that smoke-mirror color, I can't really tell from the pictures, and I think the combination with the rosewood fretboard would make it quite recent, maybe up to 5 years old.

Also, on older RG necks, it says 'RG series' just below and to the right of the Ibanez logo, which would also indicate a more recent neck I guess.

Hope this helps.

urdvurk · #5 07-24-2007, 05:52 PM

Ah, and only then did I notice the non-AANJ neck. Sorry about that.

That would basically invalidate everything I said above, and make it somewhat older. I don't know when they first started doing AANJ necks, around '92 or thereabouts?

Speedabob · #6 07-24-2007, 06:08 PM

ahh cool, its a black pickgaurd btw =], if i took the neck off, would there be a marking on the back of it with the year or model?

horstausmforst · #7 07-24-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urdvurk

Also, on older RG necks, it says 'RG series' just below and to the right of the Ibanez logo, which would also indicate a more recent neck I guess.

No, it indicates the opposite.

Together with the square heel, the edge trem and the gotoh logos on the back of the tuners i'd nail it down to a european '89-'90 or '93 RG550 (iirc, '91 and '92 models had the lo pro) or a '91-'93 RG450. The type of your output jack should indicate this. Barrel type with a seperate back cover -> 550, plate mounted without the cover -> 450. I'm not sure about those pickups, though.

Where all neckplates on the post-'90 guitars of the deeper engraved type or was that just the case on the 7xx series? If not, your guitar would definately be a '90 or earlier, which would make it a 550.

horstausmforst · #8 07-24-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedabob

ahh cool, its a black pickgaurd btw =], if i took the neck off, would there be a marking on the back of it with the year or model?

There should be a model stamp in the neck pocket. But I wouldn't go through that hassle just to find out a model number

Speedabob · #9 07-24-2007, 06:39 PM

hmm well it does have a barrel jack output, to me it looks a bit like the 20th Anniversary but it isnt i know hmm still confused about my guitar...

EDIT: to horstausmforst

Bleh i'll probadly check it out next time i change the strings =] i'll let you guys know what it is then =p

BTW guys any idea what its worth?

Mister CCJ · #10 07-24-2007, 07:27 PM

Its got the original volume knob position wasn't that only on the '87s?

brianxtr · #11 07-24-2007, 07:35 PM

100% a rg 550..before 1993.i think befor1992 because she has a edge bridge.
cool guitar.a classic.

Ironjose · #12 07-24-2007, 09:45 PM

its a 550 89 model, check inside the neck pocket and you will see the year it was made...

cusplaya · #13 07-24-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianxtr

100% a rg 550..before 1993.i think befor1992 because she has a edge bridge.
cool guitar.a classic.

Correct on this, the edge was replaced with the lo pro on 5xx and up in '92. The 450 was introduced in '93 and had the orig edge but the neck pocket was not sculpted. the neck may have been replaced making a serial # a moot point any way. However you may get lucky if you remove the neck and find matching model #'s stamped on the neck and the body. Hopefully RG 550 BK R or R BK. I'm not sure which they designate first, body color or fretboard material. Or if anything will even be stamped on the neck....def '91 or older. looks pretty clean from what I can see in the pics!! Congrats!! I'd play it!!!

Speedabob · #14 07-24-2007, 11:14 PM

Hehe i might just check it tommorow, i'll take off the neck and check the pocket =], oh and i DO play it , regularly too , i play between 2 - 5 hours a day, i'm suprised the only fret wear is only on the 8th and 15th fret, the rest is good =], so its a classic? and either a 87, 89 or 91? hmm cool =p , any idea what its worth? not that i'm going to sell it, i just want to know =]