RG550 DY restoration

Thatguy731 · #1 11-10-2009, 05:14 PM

hey guys, first post here. just thought i should share this crazy project i have been workin on for a few weeks. found this Rg550 MIJ at a used guitar store for $150. Mostly everything was there but whoever had it primered and spray painted it this ugly flat maroon color complete with a black horse/dragon stenciled on the front lol. but seeing the bright yellow shining through i thought i'd give it my best to save the desert yellow. using 60, 200, and 400 grit sandpaper i slowly got it down to the yellow. It wasn't perfect, but trying to get all the primer off, i was taking more yellow off then primer. So i decided to stop and clear coat it. I used krylon clear to spray 10 thin coats. Used some buffing compound to fill in the tiny scratches, and try to bring the shine out. It looks pretty, good, just not a mirror like shine on this one. But at least it's protected. Threw it back together, and just trying to set it up as best i can. THinkiing about throwing either some caparison pickups in it or wolfgang pickups since the stock pickups are shot, and the dimarzio it came with is not F-spaced. any ideas? Just wanted to say thanks for all the info and great posts. Keep it coming.
Tim
Accidentally deleted the beginning pic, so this is after a day or so of sanding

Down to the yellow

finally thrown back together

Caparison TAT II and 91' Rg550 DY

Hub · #2 11-10-2009, 06:37 PM

Great job! The yellow fits so much better than that red crap... Almost looks reliced now

Just needs a decal for the headstock!

**Ayrton** · #3 11-10-2009, 07:44 PM

Well it is an improvement thats for sure.

jbandy10 · #4 11-10-2009, 11:14 PM

I would go ahead and do a full relic job if it was me. I mean you're already 1/4 there...why not make the best of it?

**jim777** · #5 11-10-2009, 11:23 PM

Nice save

nuno · #6 11-11-2009, 04:43 AM

we all thank you for saving that beauty

IbanezDaemon · #7 11-11-2009, 06:38 AM

Good job mate!! On the pickups thing, I would be looking to throw in a set of DiMarzio's. I was never that big a fan of the stock Caparison pickups. Your Caparison in the Red Sunset finish looks great as well!

crossbones · #8 11-11-2009, 08:41 AM

Looks awesome!!

Unrelated but on the caparison, behind the nut you have some foam. Whats the actual reason for that??

Homebake · #9 11-11-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossbones

Looks awesome!!

Unrelated but on the caprison, behind the nut you have some foam. Whats the actual reason for that??

helps cut down on unwanted resonance when you have a lot of gain and do a lot of riffing. same idea as stuffing springs in the back of the guitar with foam etc.

Thatguy731 · #10 11-13-2009, 05:55 PM

thanks for all the great comments guys. Kinda crazy the 550 had those wear marks under the bridge and by the armrest. but it turned out better than i thought. probably just leave it for now, but might save up for an evo dimarzio set.