Hey Everyone,
I'm fairly new to Ibanez guitars and had a question. I am just about to buy a 1997 Rg550. The only thing I am weary about it has a crack in the headstock. I called a guitar shop and they told me its no big deal I can get it repaired at a pretty reasonable price. I wanted to know if I would need to get it repaired or would it effect my playing etc..etc..

thanks

Welcome.

Is the crack behind the lock nut?

yes I believe so, it's in the shape of a V from one hole (nut) to the other

It's a common thing to have some minor stress cracks, and most of the time they are quite harmless. They can be repaired, as your guitar shop told you, so don't let it put you off buying the RG. If it doesn't look too serious, it probably isn't. Let us know how it goes.

PS: Paint finish cracks near the neck / body joint are also common. These rarely go deeper than the paint, so no worries there either.

Yeah its hard to find an original wizard over 5 years old that doesnt have a crack there big or small.

I guess I'm lucky!

yes you are

My RG750 didn't develop any cracks until 15 years after it was bought. I think the only reason it has them now is because I made the bolts too tight. Lesson learned.

thanks so much!!! I can't wait to get it!

last thursday my teacher had a gig in "applebees" and his main axe is a 90 rg550ex, its a 16 year old guitar, no cracks or dings or dents or everything on the neck, the neck pocket is intact... it has chips on the body but thats usual thing when you play every week... the neck feels great it does need some re-fretting now but is not a big idea....
so good luck if you buy the 550, like everyone said, if it doesnt see serious go for it