RG550 Prototype on the Bay

Dee · #1 04-15-2007, 04:39 PM

Yeah right.

330108191421

I have been chatting to the guy who swears I am incorrect in saying this is not a proto.

Discuss?

TommyGuitar · #2 04-15-2007, 05:04 PM

How do you explain the OFR? It doesn't drop straight in to the Edge route does it?

bikeman · #3 04-15-2007, 05:14 PM

Bashed up innit? Looks like a normal early nineties RG550VM with a bridge change to me...

TommyGuitar · #4 04-15-2007, 07:13 PM

Okay, after closer inspection, it's definitely not a proto. Look how tight the OFR fits on the right side, it practically rubs. I bet this guy had an old OFR sitting on his shelf, and he wanted to keep the Edge for his own pleasure, so you know.

Dee · #5 04-15-2007, 09:08 PM

Just realized I posted this thread in the wrong section. Thanks to whichever mod moved it.

Anyway, the ill-fitting OFR was one of the first things I noticed too. 1986/7 were important years for Ibanez, and I cannot imagine they would ever display such a guitar at NAMM with an ill fitting OFR, especially when the Edge had already been developed and was available on other guitars at that point.

Also, we know that this finish was never featured on the first year 550's, they were released in DY, RF, BK and WH, so that rules out the theory about it being a first year production model.

Non-matched headstock too.

**elcid** · #6 04-15-2007, 09:28 PM

Damn that thing earned itself 2 threads.

pinto79 · #7 04-15-2007, 09:29 PM

I would have posted in here, but I didn't see it first. Oops!

Someone needs to ask that guy for the S/N, I'm curious as to what year it really is.

Dee · #8 04-15-2007, 09:35 PM

It was the first thing I asked in my many messages to him. He will not give the serial away.

Dee · #9 04-15-2007, 09:50 PM

Thanks again to Jeremy (Salami at the Ibanez forums) here's a 550 in the same finish from 1991. 110115088531

pinto79 · #10 04-15-2007, 11:46 PM

^^^ That one's in much better condition and totally stock and the price is much more reasonable.

Batchimp RG · #11 04-16-2007, 06:26 AM

330108191421

Listing removed

540s · #12 04-19-2007, 04:30 PM

It's back.

The seller insists the authenticity of the guitar as well as the OFR was verified by Ibanez's vintage guitar department... over the phone of course.

He said for verification I should call Ibanez, ask for the vintage guitar department & they will tell me that they had a couple protoypes with an OFR. His guitar has an OFR on it hence it must be a prototype & why anyone would question that is beyond him. He has said He will send me better pics of the trem route but they have not arrived.

Since I have installed OFR's in place of Edge's I know the tell tale signs of the modification... not that it wouldnt be obvious to most people anyway..

The bottom line is.. even with those pictures it is fairly obvious to me that the main bridge to wood interference points caused by an OFR in a Edge route are all area's that by a stroke of incredible coincidence, have no paint on them on that particular instrument... & also show signs of amature cutting.. go figure

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #13 04-19-2007, 04:39 PM

I hate people that know no bounds to their lies!!!

Dee · #14 04-19-2007, 04:52 PM

It's so blatantly a 1991, same as the one Salami found. Also has a black headstock.

I can't find it. Are you sure it's been relisted?

EDIT: NVM. 330110985059

jb4674 · #15 04-19-2007, 04:54 PM

Did you guys see the way he cut that hole for the middle pup?

Also, look at the pickguard, it definitely looks like someone's tried relic it by scratching it with something

The neck plate looks as if it came out of a Korean RG IMO.

Jimmy