Old RGs

[Devon8822]

Im checkign out the old catalogs because im interested in an older RG fromt he 80s. Anyways, im wonderimg about the number system how does it work? liek they have 500s, 700s.... 770, 560... can someone explain these numbers to mean? what do they mean? are the higher numbers higher quality? thanks

[RG462]

I know that numbers ending in 20 are H-H and numbers that end in 70 are H-S-H and I am not sure but I think 50 is H-S-H with a pickgaurd

[toshiro]

Yup, and x60 is H-S-S. There were almost no H-H *regular production model* RGs in the late 80's early 90's.

The RG7xx series had bound necks and headstocks, sharktooth inlays, and IBZ/USA pickups. The one odd model in the series was the RG770DX, which had a bound maple fretboard, color matched inlays and pickups, and a clear pickguard. Back then, more flash usually meant more quality. It's debatable if this holds true for the necks and bodies, but the RG7xx's were the first to get the LoPro Edge over the regular Edge, and had the Dimarzio made pickups. I definitely like the bound neck over the unbound RG5xx necks, and the 770DX could be considered only one step down from a Jem777. IMO, they were a step above the RG5xx guitars, others might feel differently.

[Dee]

Look here. It's not a complete list, but you get the picture...


RG8xxx - Japan, J custom, Dimarzio pickups, hand crafted
RG3xxx - Japan, Prestige, Dimarzio-made IBZ pickups, maple top
RG2xxx - Japan, Prestige, Dimarzio-made IBZ pickups
RG1xxx - Japan, Prestige, V-series pickups

RG7xx - Japan, Wizard neck, later models had direct-mounted pickups, early ones did not
RG6xx - Japan -- similar to the RG7xx series, but only intended for Europe
RG5xx - Japan, Wizard neck, Edge Pro
RG4xx - Japan, Wizard II neck, Edge Pro (early RG470 had Wizard neck and Edge trem, then production moved to Korea and the spec suffered)
RG3xx - Indonesia (was Korea), wizard II neck, Egde III (was Edge Pro II)
RG2xx - Indonesia (was Korea), Wizard II neck, non-locking trem
RG1xx - Indonesia (was Korea), Wizard II neck, pickguard, non-locking trem
RGx7x - H-S-H pickup configuration, direct-mounted pickups, sharktooth inlay
RGx5x - H-S-H, pickguard
RGx2x - H-H, direct-mounted pickups
RGxx7 - 7-string
RGxx1 - hardtail

EXAMPLES:

RG2550 = RG2xxx + 5xx + x5x

RG2550 = Japan, Prestige, Dimarzio-made IBZ pickups, Prestige Wizard neck, H-S-H, pickguard
RG370 = Indonesia (was Korea), Wizard II neck, H-S-H, sharktooth inlay, Edge III
RG321 = Indonesia (was Korea) , Wizard II neck, H-H, hardtail
RG1527 = Japan, prestige, V-series pickups, Wizard neck, Edge Pro, H-H, direct-mounted pickups, 7-string

Originally Posted by toshiro

I definitely like the bound neck over the unbound RG5xx necks, and the 770DX could be considered only one step down from a Jem777. IMO, they were a step above the RG5xx guitars, others might feel differently.

I agree. My RG750 neck was amazing when I first got it. It's well worn after 17 years of hard playing, but it still feels awesome now.

[toshiro]

I would avoid the "direct mounted pickups" thing, as things like the 760/520/421/320/etc had rings.

The RG5xx never had the Edge Pro, it didn't exist. Edge on most, LoPro Edge for a few years in the early 90's.

The RG4xx guitars had the Edge till 93, then in 94 got the much hated LoTRS. The year the Edge Pro was introduced they had one, and then the series died.

Otherwise, good list.

[Ferrous Lepidoptera]

> RGx2x - H-H, direct-mounted pickups

No, counterexample: RG520QS. H-H, but not direct mounted pickups. I doubt a RG320 has direct mounted pickups either.

Other than that nitpick, a fine list I intend to save. Bravo.

Edit: I see Toshiro already noticed that. And I own a RG470 with wizard neck and Lo-TRS. It's my trash Ibanez which I have no fear of taking on planes as checked baggage.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by toshiro

I would avoid the "direct mounted pickups" thing, as things like the 760/520/421/320/etc had rings.

The RG5xx never had the Edge Pro, it didn't exist. Edge on most, LoPro Edge for a few years in the early 90's.

The RG4xx guitars had the Edge till 93, then in 94 got the much hated LoTRS. The year the Edge Pro was introduced they had one, and then the series died.

Otherwise, good list.

You're right, but as I said "It's not a complete list".

[RG462]

Dee, according to your list it says that rg2xx have non locking trems. I have a rg220 that has a TRS variation that is double locking.

[Dee]

Again:

Originally Posted by Dee

You're right, but as I said "It's not a complete list".

I'm not saying the list is 100% accurate or complete, it's just a rough guide to what the numbers mean.

[Devon8822]

Bump. Is there a list like this but for S series Ibanez guitars?

[Brambram]

It is possible to create one, but it only works for the last couple of years. The RG list also is only partially correct, like only for the last 5/10 years with a lot of exceptions. Series have been shifting around, especially in the 90s a lot of 'oddball' model number RGs were made like the RG505, there have been a lot of J Custom 'RG1xxx' models, etc. Exceptions are things like 'RGT6EXFX' or the 'recent' RGA and RGT models. It's no wonder its hard to create a right list, since there are more than 300 different RG models.

Let me try it anyway. BRB.

[nuno]

everything on the Ibanez list of models is full of oddballs... it's impossible to track it down correctly, as you never stop learn about it.

[custom24]

LOVE my 1989 RG550. Killer wizard neck, and if you put dimarzios in it truly is spectacular!