RG550LTD info?

Davey · #1 05-14-2006, 02:17 PM

I've got a limited edition Japanese RG550 that is in a copper finish with matching headstock, pearl-ish looking pickguard (that's the original one) rosewood fretboard with sharktooth inlays, bubbinga stripe, Lo-Pro Edge trem and V-pickups.

I can find RG550LTD's with a black finish everywhere and the odd pink one, but I've never in my life seen one of these in copper anywhere. I took the neck off to see what it said and it had "NRG550LD" printed on the neck and "NRG-550LD" on the body.

So folks, any idea on it's history? how many were made? etc.

Thanks in advance!

ibanez2005 · #2 05-14-2006, 02:33 PM

Sounds like a nice guitar, post some pics.

Davey · #3 05-14-2006, 03:09 PM

Will do, just got to get my camera back and I'll get some up!

mi2tom · #4 05-15-2006, 03:51 AM

congratz!!! That's a cool looking one with the shark inlays and all

Davey · #5 05-16-2006, 08:20 AM

Ok, here we go..

Click on the pics for a bigger version.

Davey · #6 05-16-2006, 08:23 AM

Phew, glad that worked!

Anyway, sorry for the poor photography, I was in a rush to get the photos taken.

A little bit of digging brought up this recent auction on the 'bay, item number 7411409365 which went for £440 (plus £25 postage) and it's the bog standard black version that comes up all the time (without an Ibanez case either). I've actually seen them go for slightly more than that but that's besides the point.

I'm 50/50 on keeping it, it's an awesome guitar and plays like you couldn't imagine, but I've been given a few offers on other guitars that I can't really afford to pass up on recently. Like I say, I'm really after finding out how many were made in this finish because I've never seen one like it.

Ideas anyone? From what info I can gather, I think this was probably just been released in Japan

Any info appreciated!

Davey · #7 05-16-2006, 10:59 AM

Just found out N stands for Natural in Ibanez colour codes.

WTF? This is copper! at least very least, bronze.

JoeJoe · #8 05-16-2006, 11:02 AM

Never seen that model in my life...

Congratz! Great playing guitars (i have the odd pink one

)

Ant1981 · #9 05-16-2006, 11:31 AM

Here's some info.

If you ever get a chance to get a 550LTD, buy it. If you don't wanna spend the money on Jems anymore, you'd be hard pressed to find a better guitar for the money. The 550LTD rocks.

TheJazzTerminator · #10 05-16-2006, 01:06 PM

I have a black RG550LTD with a mirror pickguard. I bought it back in '95; it really is a great guitar. I replaced that horrible "V" pickup with a Tone Zone and unfortunately 'blocked' the tremelo, but I'm going to remove the block soon.

Anyway, the copper one looks cool. I think you should keep it...

Ant1981 · #11 05-16-2006, 01:16 PM

I wish I bought them all when I had the chance, the black one looks stunning. My 550LTD is the one finished in Pewter, or metallic gray. Best all time 550 ever. Wish they still made them. Probably the best RG ever. One thing I've noticed, is the more expensive RG's really do play the same, even J Customs, it's just the finish on them that you pay for, like the Jems.

Davey · #12 05-16-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeJoe

Never seen that model in my life...

Congratz! Great playing guitars (i have the odd pink one

)

lol, that must've translated wrong (me and my English dialect.) Over here when you say the "odd" one, it means that something is very rare or scarce.

I think I'll end up keeping this one for a while at least whilst I make up my mind. They don't come up often and I don't want to regret letting it go, although if I was made a good offer I'd probably consider it (or a trade for a Jem or PGM

)

andy7jem · #13 05-16-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanez249

it's an awesome guitar and plays like you couldn't imagine,

Looks great, i just can't imagine what it plays like!!!!!!!!!!!

Davey · #14 05-16-2006, 04:26 PM

Buttery

GAS is a terrible thing, it's the only thing that's got me questioning it!

TheJazzTerminator · #15 05-16-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant1981

I wish I bought them all when I had the chance, the black one looks stunning. My 550LTD is the one finished in Pewter, or metallic gray. Best all time 550 ever. Wish they still made them. Probably the best RG ever. One thing I've noticed, is the more expensive RG's really do play the same, even J Customs, it's just the finish on them that you pay for, like the Jems.

What? Are you kidding? It's "just the finish" you pay for? lol

What about the fact that Prestiges and J Customs are made with Mahagony, usually have better trems and other hardware and most come with either DiMarzio pickups (like my 3120TW) or Ibanez/ DiMarzio pickups compared to the crappy V7/V8 and Infinity models on the RG's?

Secondly, like I said in my last post, I have a black RG550LTD and I have two prestiges, one being a 3120TW and the other being an RGA321FSPB and BOTH of those guitars play WAY better than the 550. Just by picking up the guitars (not even playing them!), you can tell they're better instruments.