RG550 production years?

[toddw7]

Hi, does anyone know the production years of the RG550?

I'm looking to buy one and would like to know the most recent year they were made.

Thanks,
Todd

[Dee]

1987 - 2002. In 2003, the 550 was replaced by the RG1550 Prestige. It is now the RG2550 Prestige and has been through some changes, most notably, it has a rosewood fretboard. Since 2007, it has "ghost" sharktooth inlays and binding to the neck.

Other info: The 550 got the AANJ (All Access Neck Joint) in 1994. 550's built before this had the old-style "Tilt" joint.

[toddw7]

Ah, thanks for the info.

Yeah, I dig the maple fretboard with dot inlays + AANJ. It's too bad they don't seem to make any RG550 caliber guitars with maple necks + dot inlays anymore. Otherwise I'd just buy a new one.

The RG350MDX seems close to my ideal, but I don't know anything about how the Edge 3 compares to the Edge or even the TRS.

Do you happen to know when the Lo Pro Edge replaced the original Edge? I know the Lo Pro was introduced in '91, but that doesn't necessarily mean the 550's had it by then.

Thanks,
Todd

[Dee]

Lo Pro was fitted to the RG550 in 1992, I believe. They chopped and changed between the Lo-Pro and the original Edge at various times, though.

You don't fancy an RG 20th then?

[toddw7]

The RG20 looks nice, just too expensive for me. :-)

Thanks for the info.

[Dee]

No sweat. Good luck finding a nice 550 if that's what you're looking for.

[thedonutman]

Originally Posted by Dee

They chopped and changed between the Lo-Pro and the original Edge at various times, though.

Hmm....that explains why half the people on Harmony Central have Lo-Pros on their 570EXs, and I have a normal Edge.

Is there any reason why Ibanez kept switching between the two bridges?

[bikeman]

Probably depends what stock was on the shelf at the time of the crossover.