RG550 20th

MelodyMan · #1 05-05-2007, 12:14 AM

I was just wondering for those of you that have the RG550 20th, how does it stack up against a Jem7vwh...I'm assuming there are a lot of differences, but any quick info would be great...

Also, is the yellow not available anymore - it doesn't look like it is on some websites...

Should that picture arouse me as much as it does?

AlkyHauler · #2 05-05-2007, 01:11 AM

I doubt you can buy a new one now

you might get lucky IDK. There are several of us here that have that exact model and most of us pre-paid several months ago..

Dee · #3 05-05-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelodyMan

I was just wondering for those of you that have the RG550 20th, how does it stack up against a Jem7vwh...I'm assuming there are a lot of differences, but any quick info would be great...

There are a lot of differences, yeah. The 550DY looks a lot cooler.

MelodyMan · #4 05-05-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

There are a lot of differences, yeah. The 550DY looks a lot cooler.

I guess I just mean differences in sound and playability...anything would be helpful. Damn, the DY does look a lot sweeter...

AlkyHauler · #5 05-05-2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelodyMan

I guess I just mean differences in sound and playability...anything would be helpful. Damn, the DY does look a lot sweeter...

The 20th pups are kinda unique so its hard to compare, but you would need to get an opinion from someone who has played both really. As far as playability I can't see the jem playing a whole lot better.

MelodyMan · #6 05-05-2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlkyHauler

The 20th pups are kinda unique so its hard to compare, but you would need to get an opinion from someone who has played both really. As far as playability I can't see the jem playing a whole lot better.

Cool, thanks!

Dee · #7 05-05-2007, 02:00 AM

Yeah, out of the box it's most likely the JEM will play better, but once the RG is set up, it's superb. Personally I prefer the RG neck, it's thinner, plus I prefer the original Edge trem to the JEM's Edge Pro. The JEM is way more expensive, so expect a better fret job, better pickups, etc. With a JEM, you are paying also for the flashy stuff -- vine inlay, monkey grip, Lion's claw trem route, gold hardware, and let's not forget the large cut of the profit going directly to Steve. With the RG, you're not paying for a rock star's association, and these guitars are good for modding with improved pickups, etc. Not that the RG pickups are bad at all, in fact I really like 'em. It's a great guitar. You really need to see it in person to appreciate how amazing the finishes are on the Road Flare and Desert Yellow models. The Desert Yellow is like a highlighter pen yellow, and the RF just GLOWS like no red I've ever seen.

screamndemon69 · #8 05-05-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

Yeah, out of the box it's most likely the JEM will play better, but once the RG is set up, it's superb. Personally I prefer the RG neck, it's thinner, plus I prefer the original Edge trem to the JEM's Edge Pro. The JEM is way more expensive, so expect a better fret job, better pickups, etc. With a JEM, you are paying also for the flashy stuff -- vine inlay, monkey grip, Lion's claw trem route, gold hardware, and let's not forget the large cut of the profit going directly to Steve. With the RG, you're not paying for a rock star's association, and these guitars are good for modding with improved pickups, etc. Not that the RG pickups are bad at all, in fact I really like 'em. It's a great guitar. You really need to see it in person to appreciate how amazing the finishes are on the Road Flare and Desert Yellow models. The Desert Yellow is like a highlighter pen yellow, and the RF just GLOWS like no red I've ever seen.

I think Dee covered most of it. You could compare the tone closer to a basswood, maple fretboarded Jem once you install the same electronics but not similar to a VWH or VSBL due to the alder bodies.

I've been playing the BLK version like crazy lately (pups are clean and LOUD) and the neck is a different shape from the VWH ot VBK I have. Of course they sound day and night apart since the pups, electronics, body woods and neck/fretboards are different. The RG's were designed to be a stripped down Jem so the similarities are there and if you changed the pups and electronics you could get darn close to the tones but I doubt you will get the SAME tones as a VWH since it is alder and not basswood.

I'm still waiting on my DY to show up and I don't play my RFR but seeing it has a maple fretboard it is probably "spankier" than my BLK version that has rosewood. The rosewood board is one of the reasons I bought the BLK to go with my DY.

Dee · #9 05-05-2007, 01:26 PM

http://www.ibanez.com/eg/featured/rg20th.aspx

Does this not sell the 550 to you?

MelodyMan · #10 05-05-2007, 01:45 PM

Whoa, mama...yes it does, Dee. I wonder if I should just go for an RG and soup it up instead of paying an arm and a leg for a 7vwh...ahhh decisions, decisions...

Dee · #11 05-05-2007, 02:00 PM

I know I'm biased, and I know I will love the RG550 until I die, but that would be a smart decision, in my opinion. Actually, you might find you're perfectly happy with a stock one. In fact for the price of the VWH you could have two 550's! The only problem is getting one, I'm not sure if stocks are running out, but there's always e-Bay. Quite a few of them keep appearing. If you want one, now is the time to grab one.