I wanted to know when the prestige line start and if the older '98, '99 RG550 560 and 570 moddels are part of that Prestige line or if it was later. Is $400-$500 a good price for a used one? What are the tremolos like on them compared to the others?


thanks!

those old rg 550 are great! you cant go wrong with them!
buy a old 550 from *bay.good priced guitars .i like them more than the new ones.

I had a 2000 570 which (apart from the stock pick ups) was absolutely fantastic.

Any of those years and models you suggest were great quality instruments and they had the original edge bridge, which is great.

Don't know about pricing in the US, but that seems about the right kind of money.

the edge. one of the best tremolos ever.

They started using the Prestige label (along with the J Custom label) in 1996. The RG5xx models weren't part of it in '98/'99, those became 'Prestige' in 2003 when they were reintroduced as the RG1550, RG1570, etc.

well, you'll have to go back to 1993 for the RG560, when they were discontinued

Assuming it's in Very Good to Excellent condition, $400-500 is a good price. I've gotten perfectly playable, although ugly looking, RG570s and 550s in the $275-300 range.

As for their quality, I'd say they're right up there with today's 1570s. Ibanez allegedly adds extra steps of hand finishing to the new guitars, but I typically find the old 570s, 560s, and 550s to be smooth playing and well crowned. Unless they've been abused by their previous owners, most need a good setup and new strings.

The tremelos on the 570s were the original Edge, which many of us still prefer over any "improvement" Ibanez has attempted since.

Personally, I love the older 570s-- just bought a nice RG570FMTB this week!

I recently owned an RG3550MZ. Sold it and bought an RG550 20th. I couldnt be happier about it. I prefer the RG550. Edge FTW