Newish RG 370DX, New RG350EX or '89 RG550? Please Help!

[CPOliver]

Hi guys,

I'm interested in getting an Ibanez RG and thought I'd ask a few questions seen as I'm only getting into proper playing (after 8 years of larking about on the guitar!) and not very knowledgable on the actual workings of guitars.

I was originally after an RG 350ex (Edge III) or an RG 370dx (Edge II Pro) but have heard some questionable things about those bridges and been advised that the original Edge is much better, so found an '89 RG550 for sale, in good nick.

Which guitar would be best to start getting into intermediate playing (mainly metal and hard rock) with, especially for someone who's not so clued up on guitar maintainence?

Which RG would suit me best, given they're all a similar price and in decent condition?

What are the differences between the 350ex, 370dx and the 550?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just making sure I get the right guitar to accompany me in regular practicing.

Thanks ever so much,

Charles

[taracatac]

Go for the 550, no question. It is MIJ, has an original Wizard and Edge. Great guitar and much, much better quality than the MIK or MII guitars IMO.

[Wild_Child]

Go for the 550 with the original Edge. My Edge II pro causes me no end of grief and it can't be upgraded without routing, so I just don't use it.

The only thing the 350 and 370 have over the 550 is the AANJ and thats only an issue if you're used to having one.

[CPOliver]

Ok, so I ordered the RG550.

It really is a handsome devil! I like having a pickguard, but I kinda prefer the sharktooth inlays. I can't really complain, it's a big step up from my GRX 70 (I hope!). I can't wait to get playing it.

Anything you'd recommend upgrade wise? I'll get my local guitar shop owner (and friend) to give it the once over upon arrival and get it restrung.

-CPO

EDIT: Picture

[Minimum Bob]

Another vote for the '89 550.

(edit: too late. That'll serve me right for shredding and surfing at the same time)

[Minimum Bob]

Originally Posted by CPOliver

Anything you'd recommend upgrade wise?

Folks are going to tell you to put this and that pickup in...

But you know what? My '89 550 (owned from new) is still bone stock.

[Wild_Child]

Once it is set up properly, you should have one seriously sweet playing guitar.

You might want to look at changing the pickups somewhere down the line, but try it out first and see what you think.

[CPOliver]

Originally Posted by Minimum Bob

Folks are going to tell you to put this and that pickup in...

But you know what? My '89 550 (owned from new) is still bone stock.

Excellent, good to hear from an owner. I'll probably be more than happy with the stock setup, seen as I've only owned two el cheapo electric guitars before and it's been so long since I played anything else.

CPO

[Dee]

Congrats on a wise purchase. Keep it stock and be proud. Don't "JEM-ize" it PLEASE, you'd be dissing the 550 lovers like me who don't believe in that kinda crap.

[sniperfrommars1]

The stock pickups are meh so if you want the best tone possible upgrade the pups to dimarzios, duncans, emg's of your choice

[Dee]

EDITED. NVM.

[Tungus]

The old 550 IMO is a better axe. Where else are you going to find an original (that will keep its value) that came with an edge stock? Those old 550s are toned down jems really. You wont be disappointed.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but:
I'm not a fan of the 550 reissues. It wont hurt the resale value of the originals, but we will end up seeing fakes in the future just like we do with the JEMS now.
Very unfortunate.

Wise purchase you made there.