Fake 1991 RG550?

864 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by bondo2t, 16 d ago

RMontier

Discussion Starter · 23 d ago

I just bought a green (like the green Jems, loch ness green I think is the name of the colour) RG550 from second hand in Madrid. Then I try to find more info about the model and there are some details that seems strange, so maybe this is not a genuine 550.

First things first, the serial number in the headstock is F150341, so seems like a Fuji 1991 guitar (at least the neck).
The neck is maple 24 frets with black dots.
The headstock is the same colour as the body, so either they match, or they've been repainted at the same time. Also, I cannot find any example of a RG550 in this color.
The output jack is attached to the body with a squared plate with 4 screws.
The neck is bolted to the body with a 4 screws plate, but its not tilted, its like the standard stratocaster joint.
HSH configuration. Green plastic covers in the pickups so I dont know how to check if they are V1/S1/V2

Anyway, when checking the headstock closely and comparing it with my own RG350, thats when I think its not even an authentic Ibanez. The logo seems different, and the curved line does not reach the end of the headstock.

(I will upload pictures in a moment)

Do you guys know what model could be?

Edit: After asking the seller, he says the color is customized and the guitar was entirely black. This could explain the differences in the logo, and maybe it is an Ibanez. Even so, the body is clearly not a 550.

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RMontier

Discussion Starter · #2 · 23 d ago

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Rich

· #3 · 23 d ago

The neck is real Japanese, no way a 550 has a jack plate and doesn't have the tilt neck joint. My bet is somebody wanted an LNG, whatever the body is was modified to fit the trem and the headstock is definitely repainted to match the body.

Reactions: 2

jemboyee

· #4 · 23 d ago

RMontier said:
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Pull the neck off and let’s see the pocket and heel.

RMontier

Discussion Starter · #5 · 23 d ago

This is what I found. Seems like the body is a 450 and the neck a 460M. For what I see in Ibanez wiki the 460s have a rosewood neck :S

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jemboyee

· #6 · 22 d ago

RMontier said:
This is what I found. Seems like the body is a 450 and the neck a 460M. For what I see in Ibanez wiki the 460s have a rosewood neck :S

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Rosewood, unless it is a 460M (maple). Still, everything is Fujigen and with an original Edge so depending what I paid I might not be too upset. Plus, it’s a great looking guitar.

Reactions: 1

Ashurbanipal

· #7 · 22 d ago

Nice score. Yep, it's all Japanese stuff, except for the pups. Those are generic, latter day Chinese pups with brass baseplates, stamped 'N' and 'B' for the respective positions, and a typical ceramic single. Looks like it's wired up without the split hbs in positions 2 and 4 as well.

The 1992-93 RG450s were some the more basic spec Japanese models - they differed from the 550 in the lack of a tilt neck joint, as pointed out, and a plate mounted jack, as opposed to barrel. They still had the V1/2, S1 pups, Edge trem, and mostly rw boards.

The Wiki and catalogues don't always give the full picture of all the models what were out there. The only 460 of the time I'm aware of was a HSS, 22 fret model with the TRS 101 trem. It's possible that there was a 24 fret, Japanese, maple version was for a particular market or spot run.

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RMontier

Discussion Starter · #8 · 22 d ago

For those wanting to know, I managed to contact the previous owner (not the seller), and confirmed the pups are brand "Fleor". A single search in Google throws a lot of AliExpress links, so yeah, the pups are basically crap haha.

After some negotiation I managed to get partly refunded by the seller given the model is not the same offered in the add, so I'm going to buy a couple of DiMarzio's (Crunchlab and Liquifire) and to renew the electronics.

So in the end is not a 550, but a really good looking 450 MIJ with Edge trem, so I'm happy.

Thank you all for your help! I was really lost trying to identify this guitar and needed some help. Much appreciated

Ashurbanipal

· #9 · 22 d ago

Hmm, I put a set of Fleor pups in a guitar I was doing up last year and didn't want to spend a fortune, though different type to the op. They're like Duncan '59 copies (A5, nickel bases, similar dcr range) and are quite good, imo: bright, clear, and clean up well. They do offer some pups which look like they're in the fridge magnet category 😜.

The pots and caps do look like they would be original to the guitar; can't tell with the switch, don't know what they used in those and whether it was different from the higher spec models.

Gonna be nice, nothing like reviving an old Ibanez and letting it rip 🤘.

Reactions: 2

DP155FBK

· #10 · 22 d ago

was gonna say...might be fake but still looks badass

\m/

Reactions: 2

bondo2t

· #11 · 21 d ago

The neck is real, I think the body is fake. both refinished.

RMontier

Discussion Starter · #12 · 21 d ago

bondo2t said:
The neck is real, I think the body is fake. both refinished.

What makes you think so? They used a fake body and put an original Edge? Or do you think the Edge is also fake?

RMontier

Discussion Starter · #13 · 21 d ago

By the way, I took some pictures of the trem to check condition

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jemboyee

· #14 · 21 d ago

RMontier said:
What makes you think so? They used a fake body and put an original Edge? Or do you think the Edge is also fake?

Nothing is fake. The body is a 450 from 92-93 that was equipped with the edge originally. All parts are legitimate.

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/RG450_(1992–1993)

Reactions: 1

bondo2t

· #15 · 16 d ago

jemboyee said:
Nothing is fake. The body is a 450 from 92-93 that was equipped with the edge originally. All parts are legitimate.

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/RG450_(1992–1993)

Im going off of the heel and the output jack. That heel is not the recessed, or tilt. Also, that output jack is only used on very cheap models.

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