RG550 Serpent?

IbanezGirl · #1 05-25-2006, 01:12 AM

Hi guys,

The info i have on this guitar is it's a 91 -92 model, serial # F218576. I've been told that this guitar was only released for the Japanese market. Would this be true?
I'm not sure i like the green colour or the serpent up the neck at this stage, but i'm curious to get anymore info and also a rough estimate on what you'd pay - in aussie $$$ would be good

for something like this?

Here's a link of a picture that was posted by amd1.1
(http://www.kosakuworld.com/gtr-ibanez.htm)

Thanks!

Oops! Forgot to mention, there's no cracks in the neck, fretware supposed to be good. Has one ot two small dents (nothing major).

ibanezcollector · #2 05-25-2006, 01:21 AM

David McCarroll · #3 05-25-2006, 01:25 AM

Hmmmm - very strange..... is that an inlay, or some kind of decal?

Kind of cute though!

IbanezGirl · #4 05-25-2006, 01:27 AM

Thanks for the pic ibanezcollector.

I'm not sure i like the look of the serpent on the neck.
What do others think?

David McCarroll · #5 05-25-2006, 01:29 AM

...... if it's a decal you could scrape it off .......... ouch!

gu1tar · #6 05-25-2006, 01:37 AM

The 2 after the F in the serial number means it is a '92 model. If you are looking to buy one, a 550 on the bay goes for $300 to $500 (U.S.) depending on condition. Since this is a more rare one, it could fetch a lot more though(?) if it is in great condition.

IbanezGirl · #7 05-25-2006, 01:39 AM

Hmmm, that's true David.
I'll ring and ask if it's inlay or decal.

Ok just rang and it's definitely a decal.

Thanks for the info gu1tar.

As gu1tar mentioned this is a rare one, the price tag on this isn't cheap.
I've talked them down too $1,000AU but i still think that's too much and they won't budge below that price. What do you guys think?

Ki swordsman · #8 05-25-2006, 04:17 AM

depends how much you want this particular model..
for aus prices, $1000 is quite do-able but i'd personally be cringing spending a grand on it unless i loved it, $8-900 could be reasonable cos it's rare BUT if the inlay is just a decal then maybe it's not so great? i don't see why ibanez wouldn't inlay it?

can you bust a move on it in person to see if you love her?
if you just really want a 550 you could get a regular used one for 6-900$ in aus or import one for maybe $6-800
i got a japanese made RG470 in aus for i think $600 shipped to Tasvegas not too long ago

i've also seen a used jem7dbk go for around $16-1700 and you can import a used (but very new) jem for about $2000-2500
or a brand new jem7vwh for $2500 from china, maybe 26-2800$ from japan or US
.. just giving you some examples of aussie market

btw i'd never buy anything brand new in aus, cos of HUUUGELY ginsane markups,
Eg- jem7vwh bought in japan or US=$2500AU
7vwh bought in china= $2100AU
7vwh bought in australia? = oh... only about $40000000000!!! (...i meant $4000)
this tends to also mean the used 'but very new' gear market can be marked up a bit too

just throwin info about.. good luck

Spider-Skot · #9 05-25-2006, 04:53 AM

Here ya go: http://www.ibanezregister.com/Galler...g550-snake.htm

Ki swordsman · #10 05-25-2006, 05:58 AM

im startin to think it's pretty damn cool, could make for a sick modded guitar..
i really wish the fretboards weren't a light wood like maple. dark wood would make it killer

Davey · #11 05-25-2006, 06:15 AM

Isn't that an RG505?

IbanezGirl · #12 05-25-2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the link Spider-Skot.
How come the one in Spider-Kot's link seems like a mint green (which i like) and the the pic above that seems more a sickly dull green. Is it lighting or was there two different greens released?

Ki swordsman, i love a maple neck.

Still not sure if i like the serpents though.

Ibanez249, what's an RG505?

gu1tar · #13 05-25-2006, 05:00 PM

$1000AU ($760US) doesn't seem that bad a price but I'm prejudiced against the non-AANJ necks so I wouldn't personally get it unless you really like the snake inlay/sticker. You could get newer 550 with the better trem (Edge Pro instead of Floyd style) and AANJ for less.

The difference in green is probably just lighting; this was a limited run guitar so the odds of Ibanez using different green colors is slim. (or maybe one is a prototype and the production color was slightly different?)

I don't think the RG505 was introduced until 95(? or later ?) and since this is a 92...

**jono** · #14 05-25-2006, 05:49 PM

I remember these being advertised in the June 93 issue of Guitarist magazine in the UK. Vai was on the cover with Evo in a silly shirt

(Vai in the shirt, not Evo

)

They were being sold at a store called "Musical Exchanges" in Birmingham which was, allegedly and at the time, the worlds largest guitar store and was basically a converted warehouse.

I think they were £100 more than a regular RG550 at the time and I remember playing one and I think it was inlaid, not a decal!

Anyway, the ad said they were done as a limited run for this store and were an exclusive.

Hope that helps