Alright, Im starting to get the guitar buying bug again and was wondering if this is a guitar that would last a lifetime? I was also thinking of switching out the pick ups, what would you add in there instead of the stock ones and would I really hear a difference in them, or is it just a slight difference? Also is there anything "wrong" with this guitar that I should be aware of, ive heard mixed reviews about the trem and such. Thanx for reading this and helping me out!
If you buy one from Rich (Ibanezrules.com) he'll set it up, touch it up, and give you the little extra screws to lock the new trem studs.
For a little extra he'll put them in for you.
I've not heard anything bad about these, I have a 1990 RG550 that I've beaten to death and it's still going strong. I did swap the pups though.
Originally it had the V1-S1-V2 combination and I put a PAF Pro in the neck, a Fender American single, and a Super Distortion in the bridge.
Just recently I changed those to a set of Evos and an HS-2 wired as a single coil . . . VERY happy with it now.
All in all they are tough guitars, with a great feel (in my opinion) and nice sound, once you get those muddy Vs out of there. Not that the Vs are BAD, they just aren't as good as a "real" pickup.
Could he put in the new pickups too? Or is that something I would do or should I hire someone to do that (as you can tell I dont have much experience with pick ups!)
Email him and ask, I don't see any thing on his site about it though . . . I'm sure that would cost quite a bit extra, if he'll even do it at all.
It's easy to do, if you're careful, but have a pro do it if you're not comfortable using a soldering pen, they can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
I have a 18 year old scar on my thumb to prove that. :roll:
But, I'd say just give the Vs a try, you might like them, there are plenty out there that are quite happy with them.
Pay list price on the pickups and instalation is free. I will need to replace the switch with either Dimarzio or Ibanez at your expense [one that has a wiring diagram I can follow otherwise it aint gettin done!]
Are they using those 4 pole-24 lug switches in the mid-range guitars as well now?
I mean, I understand what they are good for, I have two Superswitches at the moment, one is in my RG 520 so I can have exactly the combinations that I want and one on my desk as a spare, but since the HSH setup, with the "Split 5" switching only really needs a two pole-8 lug switch, I don't see the need for such a "complicated" switch.
Soldering jumper wires on those switches has to increase installation time.
Easy to wire, done it a hundred times. (Dimarzio my pref.)
Just a bit of a pain remembering what lugs go with what positions. I like the "old fashioned" ones (like used in the old Strats), where you could see the switch connections.
The Stew-Mac Superswitch is an "open" design like that, but I still had to sit there with a multitester to figure out how to get the combos I wanted with the two hums.
The "Special" five-way that comes with the two humbucker RG's is really useless for any custom wiring . . . I have one laying around somewhere . . . ah, there it is, holding down some papers. ;-)
Hey thanks for the replies and Ill have to keep Ibanez Rules in mind! Do you have a shop or anything like that to visit or do you do everything online? Also a question for everyone, If I get this guitar I may do something to the pickguard, could I paint it? Or should I just go to warmoth.com and buy some blank material and trace/cut out a new one? Thanks!
the 1550 is a very rewarding purchase for me. i've gotten this preference for maple fretboards after spending too much time with my fender tele & the 1550's is really smoooooth! despite this consideration, i bought this one on the merits of its construction (IMO- tops!) & feel. the prestige neck is a darling, it plays well despite being thin in profile.
moving to the pickups- i swapped the neck & bridge units for Duncan's Distortion & Screamin' Demon respectively. i find the original too overwhelming in the high end department. left the mid single coil alone. the new Edge Pro bridge is superb. i find the less angular components very picking hand friendly.
I put a Tone Zone and an Air Norton in mine last Thursday, and it rips! 8)
Here's a link to the wiring diagram of the Jem555. They use the same switch as the 1550 and have 4 wire pickups (evos).
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