FS: RG550 (1987?)

ModernGuitarist · #1 04-30-2008, 11:32 PM

I’m selling this RG550.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0232.jpg
Judging from the serial number, I believe it’s from 1987.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0238.jpg
Please let me know if that’s not correct. What finish is this? Somebody help me out! It’s kind of a pinkish-purple, but is it original?
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0249.jpg

The guitar is a fantastic player, but not in great cosmetic condition. Also, if there is something odd-looking about his guitar that I didn’t mention, please let me know, for I am not incredibly knowledgeable about these guitars.

It has numerous chips around the edges and some scratches and dings. I tried to highlight everything in the pictures to some extent, but it wouldn’t be easy to take a picture of everything, so just trust me that it’s not a collector’s piece.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0242.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0240.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0247.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0246.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0243.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0248.jpg

The headstock is in fairly good shape. Just a little scratching.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0236.jpg

The fretboard is pretty dirty, but the actual frets are in very good shape.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0234.jpg

The guitar was recently set up for 9 guage strings. It looks like one of the volume knobs was replaced with a different color. Again, hopefully someone more knowledgeable can set me straight if I’m overlooking something. There is a slight problem periodically when changing between through the middle pickup. It seems there might be a loose connection somewhere, but it only happens sometimes, and I can’t imagine it’s anything serious.

The original Edge tremolo is still in excellent condition with virtually no blistering, and it was actually this guitar that forever sold me on the Edge.

There is a typical crack in the upper neck pocket, but not the lower.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0244.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0245.jpg

The back of the neck is in excellent condition and does not have any cracks.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...c/100_0239.jpg

I’m looking for $400 shipped in a generic hardshell case, mostly because it’s from 1987, but I know it’s not in great shape, so I’ll consider reasonable offers as well. I only ask that we do this by money order. I have sold and bought items here and at other similar forums and can provide references if necessary. But if it’s absolutely necessary, I can use paypal as long as the buyer covers fees.

70Seven · #2 05-01-2008, 09:33 AM

Unless its been repainted, its not an 87, I don't think there was a pink 550 in 87. could be a neck swap also...

toshiro · #3 05-01-2008, 10:29 AM

They offered that finish(Heather Pearl) on the 550 in 1989.

heartfielder · #4 05-01-2008, 10:49 AM

Tell us the serial number and the mystery will be solved.

70Seven · #5 05-01-2008, 11:07 AM

its in one of the pics.

F765...

shogun · #6 05-01-2008, 12:49 PM

how do the pickups sound? any good?

ModernGuitarist · #7 05-01-2008, 01:50 PM

Yes, the serial number is pictured and is F 765192. I'm not exactly sure why that would indicate '87 and the finish seems to be from 1989. Anyone know why this might be the case? I bought it earlier this year and don't know any of its history, alas.

As for the pickups, I think they sound surprisingly good. At one point I almost replaced them with Evolutions, but decided it was worth keeping the originals in for that certain sound. Although, as I mentioned in the originalpost, when changing pickups with the selector switch, it can get a little scratchy sometimes.

Dee · #8 05-01-2008, 03:21 PM

Serial F7xxxxx = 1987.

That's certainly a 1987 neck, so there is a possibility it's a neck swap on a 1989 body, but you never know with Ibanez! I saw an almost identical guitar on e-Bay one time except it had a Floyd Rose trem. The owner claimed it was an "RG550 prototype" that he got from NAMM, which is a total lie and it was very obvious that the Floyd had been added later because it was a bad fit, with exposed areas of wood where the route had been chiselled away to accommodate the bridge. Otherwise, it looked exactly the same.

Like 70Seven said in the second post, I would guess this is a neck swap. A mongrel: 1989 RG550 body in Heather Pearl, and a 1987 neck from a black or white 550 which was added later on.

The original 1987 RG550 came in four finishes only: Desert Yellow, Road Flare Red, Black, White.

ModernGuitarist · #9 05-01-2008, 03:41 PM

Cool, thanks for helping me out here, everyone!

Since this is probably not an original, I'll knock the price down to $375 shipped. Still a very nice-playing guitar!

just42dave · #10 05-01-2008, 11:36 PM

pmd ...

ModernGuitarist · #11 05-05-2008, 06:16 PM

Found a guitar I'd really like to buy. For the next day only I am willing to sell this for $300 plus shipping. That's a steal I think! Shipping will be determined by distance, but I can't imagine it being more than about $45. Hope to move this tonight! Let me know!