Identifying RG unknown

[mullmuzzler]

I've came across an Ibanez RG guitar that I want to buy. Since there is no model number on the back of the headstock, please help determine this model. Here are the facts:

Rg body, yellow lacquered finish, Lo-Pro Edge trem, two humbuckers V7 and V8, direct-to-wood (not ring) mounted, 5-way switch, rosewood fretboard, one piece maple neck (no bubbinga skunk stripe), "rg series" logo on front of the headstock, serial num F602608, imprint under ser. num. "mede in japan" tuners and all the hardware is gold-plated. The guy says that it's RG520 but I think That there is not laminated maple or sapelle on top of the guitar, but maybe I'm wrong. I've contacted Rich Harris and he said that I should try on jemsite forum to determine model by serial num by some of you European guys. Any comments are welcome.

[winterlong]

there were 520s without a laminated maple. 520 just means that it is a 500 model with two humbuckers. But they were not direct mount and no gold. I think I have the model you are talking about in a european catalog but can't remeber the number.

[caprile]

i don't know the model, but it's equivalent to a 5xx rg. the F in the serial number says it was made in japan. if you like it, pay whatever a 550 or 570 costs in the same condition.

[Neven]

520 just means that it is a 500 model with two humbuckers.

???please explain??? what would 570 mean by that theory?

[jemsite]

Originally Posted by Neven

???please explain??? what would 570 mean by that theory?

Rear routed, 2-1-2 pickup config.

[jono]

Well, the direct mounted pickups from the mid 90's suggests RG620 to me. There were a few RG620SOL that I've seen, but never one in yellow...

I'll get my catalogues out later and see what I can find, BUT the only one over the last 10 years I'm missing is the 96 one

[jono]

Well I can't find it in any of my catalogues. It definately sounds like and RG something 20.

The RG 620 comes with the direct mounted pickups but htey're the QM series ones, whereas the RG 520 has the V7/8 pickups but in rings.

I've never seen either with gold hardware, or in a yellow finish.

I'm sorry I can't help any further

[mullmuzzler]

Thanx for so many replies! Please, if someone has a '96 catalogue, browse it and respond! The guy is selling it for 500 EUR without case or anything else. Is it a good deal since nobody has seen or heard of such a model minding it has a LoPro and direct mounted HBs?

[jono]

I'm going to say yes.

If it does have a Lo-Pro Edge (assuming you've verified this yourself and are not taking the seller's word for it) and seems to have RG500 series pickups I'll assume that it's at least an RG520, or at least a guitar brought up to that spec. Thus on the european market it should be worth at least the 500 Euro that he's asking.

Obviously try to haggle for a better deal and get him down to 400 But still I think it sounds a very individual guitar, and one who's hardware will make it a great little guitar.