[erikheffner]

Hey everyone, so I have had this Ibanez RG550 claimed to be original in Road Flare Red for about 3 and a half years, stupidly never took the neck off after buying it until recently, keeping it as a case queen because of its condition. Now I was always a bit curious about the paint around the trem and the seemingly large amount of clearcoat that pooled up around the peg holes of the tuners (store owner couldn't see it apparently). For awhile I thought maybe Ibanez was just getting used to applying the paint in the first run of bright neon RGs and/or the tech wasn't there to make it as perfect till the mid-90's..? Eventually I couldn't agree with that excuse.
So I have talked to some people on Facebook on the JEM/RG group and made my own conclusions about this guitar. Unfortunately everything seems to point toward some sort of refinish. There is no model number in the neck pocket, the paint is harsh around the trem and neck cavities...metallic or silver paint under the white base coat? And maybe white wax from polishing? There are a few other things I see. Can you see?
What do you all think?

 

[Hoseki]

I am calling that a refinished guitar, although it looks much better than most of the at-home paint jobs I've seen. Definitely better than my Kramer Pacer.

 

[erikheffner]

A few more pics...

 

[erikheffner]

Wow that was pretty quick, thanks for the input. So far, That has been the general agreement. Unfortunately probably paid too much...

 

[TJ777]

Looks refinished to me too. Here is the neck pocket of my RG550 I bought in '87.

 

[erikheffner]

Ok cool, thanks for the picture of that, it is hard to get one from facebook people, ebay, google, etc ha.

Here it is next to my Genesis BTW. Could almost never tell, so I don't know how they repainted it so well.

 

[The TPS Report]

How much did you pay for that guitar? Only ask since I have an original 1987 RG550 in white that I’ve owned since a youth.

 

[erikheffner]

$650 in 2015 with "original hard shell case" (whatever that means now) after Colorado taxes and some haggling.
Of course at the time I thought I was buying a 1987 factory paint job.
I paid $1000 for my Genesis with a JCraft case, the resale is almost half already on those now, but at least I know I have the REAL THING.
I thought $650 was a steal at that time too lol.
Love the guitar but pretty bummed I paid that much

 

[erikheffner]

Well just to update, I've contacted Ibanez and apparently they are happy to have me send pictures and they'll do their best to see what the guitar was/is.
I'll post an update but I'd assume they have the same impression. Unless the factory redid it, which, ehhh doubtful.

 

[Takin' a Ride]

Could just be a resprayed RFR. Paint in the neck pocket looks like the original paint. All the white is just polishing compound that never got cleaned up. Looks like they polished it with the pickguard in place.

 

[erikheffner]

Could just be a resprayed RFR. Paint in the neck pocket looks like the original paint. All the white is just polishing compound that never got cleaned up. Looks like they polished it with the pickguard in place.

Some of that "under the pickguard" wax is probably my fault; I carnauba wax all my guitars from time to time I was just anxious to rip it off and take pics, but its McGuires with a yellow hue, the white I am not sure.
I know I did it to this one to try and protect the "original paint". Jokes on me for waxing too I guess lol

 

[Takin' a Ride]

The white stuff is buffing compound. You’ll find it on pretty much all guitars, especially if you remove the tuners and look in there. But they usually remove most of it. This is really out of hand.

 

[erikheffner]

Well I'm not sure what to say guys. Ibanez emailed me and says it appears original. I'll ask again about the weird stuff but I thought they would have point test that out themselves if it was relevant.

I've seen the catalog pics already...

 

[chris101]

The weird thing is that under the paint chips you can see a further coat of red paint, rather than a primer or bare wood...... (1546424013)

 

[erikheffner]

The weird thing is that under the paint chips you can see a further coat of red paint, rather than a primer or bare wood...... (1546424013)

Yeah I saw that, it's kind of a hot pink. I thought maybe the old paint was a two color coat maybe. Like white, pink then a transparent orange to give it that weird red orange glow...but the silver doesn't make sense. I even thought maybe it was a RFR and someone painted it silver and another owner had it restored?
I cleaned it up under the pick guard and there is definitely a shadow of a more red paint color underneath showing signs of paint fade.

As far as Ibanezs reply, I'm not sure if I got a lazy rep or it's just a first year run that was in a rush? Still didn't really give me a satisfying answer...

 

[chris101]

I think he's just fobbing you off because he/they don't care.