Some things should have been retired for good. It seems that Ibanez not only reissued the guitars but also the same old problems that came with the old design. My RG770 have started to show the good old neck joint cracks. Not surprising, really. Same old neck joint, same old cracks.




There is ample clearance between the neck and the neck pocket, so it not really the fitting that is the problem. I think it fundamentally the square heel design. The square heel block behind the neck is very thin and this flexes when under the pulling tension of the strings. It creeps slightly forward and this causes the hard but yet brittle poly finish to crack. Thats why the cracks always appears at the point where the square heel joins the side of the neck pocket.

Anyone else has reports of crack neck joints? My RG550 is holding up well and hopefully it stays that way. From now on, I will stay away from such guitars.

yeah, according to jemsite.com and common sense, it's caused by the high tension/stress that is applied to that area due to string tension and so forth. it may be the design, but AANJ get them too.

anyway, as long as it's not in the wood itself, i don't really see much of an issue.

Wow! That's too early for that to happen! I haven't had one yet on any RG I've own, AANJ or square heel, though I think their typical of the old neck joint. Also it's just cosmetic. I know... little consolation on such a beautiful guitar.
So far so good on the RG550MXX. (fingers crossed)

Now That`s a very accurate Reissue!!!!!
I love ibanez because the playability... and the thin factor has a lot to do with it. I guees you have to make some sacrifices to get what you want. Like Homebake said if is not in the wood.. no problem at all!!!

Enjoy you cool axe!!!

Yep, its not in the wood and its structurely sound. But I generally do not like cracks to appear when I have not even abuse it... ha ha...

Sorry to hear that. So far so good with my LB 770dx reissue. I've sure played it a lot too, quite a few rehearsals and it's been lugged around to shows in 3 different states for the past few months. Roughly (over 20+ years) I think I've had over 15 Japan Ibanez's/JEMS...only had this problem on a few: 2 570's, 1 760, and my old 540PII had a slight sign of it on the treble side.

That is awful, just awful. Guess you'll have to sell it to me now. I'm sure the pain of seeing it everyday would be too much- I'll be happy to help you out!

Nothing on mine so far, or any of mine for that matter. Even my 1990 570 Roadstar. Maybe it's just luck?

Yeah, who cares man... play it like you stole it and forget about it.

Ouch.

Don't know what else to say.

Its not just cosmetic, keep telling yourself that. I have sanded enough Ibanez bodies to see that yes, its in the wood too on a vast number of them.

I understand that it is not going to affect the playability. Just letting you guys know that the issue of cracks on the neck joint is still affecting the new reissues. Its partly luck too I guess. Thanks.

Wow thats wierd. I own several ibanez (Rg550,Jem,s540) and none of them have that not even my old RG550.
I guess i have been lucky.

now that's what i call reissue! i always love those "mustaches"...

Yeah! edleast you know its what they got 20 years ago? Yeah?