[Dexter Morgan]

NGD - Mysterious 550

Hey all, been awhile...

So I am about to buy this guitar... but nothing about it adds up. The serial number indicates an '87 550, a year which neither the apparent coral mist paint job was available, nor would it apparently have come with a black headstock.

I realize that there are anomalies out there, but I wonder if I'm missing something. Anyone help me out? I appreciate it! Here's the link:

https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/ibanez-rg550-electric-guitar/6737201901.html

 

[Agent540]

candy apple red finish with a later neck ?

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Later neck but with the old SN sticker? I don't know... I think the guy is being straight with me. I think in his post he mentioned, but I don't remember, that he bought it new in 1990... but it was overstock and the guitar place put their older 550s on sale I think...

 

[sepulchrave]

Not all 550's from 1989-90 had matching headstocks, it does look pukka to me though.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Right but the serial number says it is an '87. So both the body color and the headstock color don't jibe with that year...

 

[sepulchrave]

Right but the serial number says it is an '87. So both the body color and the headstock color don't jibe with that year...

Are you suggesting it's a fake then? That's definitely a 550 neck and that's definitely a 550 body, the tilt joint and pickups are all consistent with it being an 89-90 guitar, it looks candy apple red to me as well from the terrible photos.
If I had to pin it down I'd say it was a 1989 build using a 1987 neck with a non-matching headstock and it sat in the shop a year before it was bought. What's not to like?

 

[Dexter Morgan]

No, not at all - and I like it! But that's what I have wanted to do, is figure it out. Your idea makes sense except for the color... if it's an '89 it could be five alarm red too.

 

[sepulchrave]

The volume pot got moved for the 1990 model so it's obviously 1987-89, up to you really, I think it came from the factory like that and I'd buy it if the owner would take a cash offer on the asking price.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

That's good info, the kind of things I was looking for. Thanks. I never doubted the current owner, and I'm sure you're right that it's original. Just an odd combination.

I wonder if there's any way it's RFR, which is the only color close to it in that year's catalog... Anyway thanks!

 

[diablomozart]

that is a cherry sunburst 550...i've only ever seen one other...go get it...d.m.

 

[FireEagle]

Nice find... original pickups and all. I hope it's as nice as it looks and you get it. Good luck!

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Right-o DM, email sent and if he still has it it shall be mine tomorrow afternoon. Yeah, I never find these from the original owners even, it looks to be in great shape, and good price, reasonable anyway! Thanks everyone...

 

[DeeJayK]

Ibanez printed a BUNCH of those SN stickers starting with "F7" and apparently continued using them until they were used up. They were used through 1988 and into 1989. It looks like Coral Mist Metallic to me. I realize that color is believed to be only a 1990 finish, but perhaps they made a few earlier.

Worst case it's a 1990 guitar with a 1988-89 neck. Nothing about it looks like a fake. It's a great deal as long as the neck's in decent shape. Go get it.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Coral Mist metallic was what I always thought, but it does appear to have a bit of sunburst fade to it too... If I recall the serial number doesn't exist anywhere else on the guitar, right? Like the neck pocket only has the model...? I'll get it anyway, need to make a family out of these things. Thanks.

 

[DeeJayK]

Coral Mist metallic was what I always thought, but it does appear to have a bit of sunburst fade to it too... If I recall the serial number doesn't exist anywhere else on the guitar, right? Like the neck pocket only has the model...? I'll get it anyway, need to make a family out of these things. Thanks.

Yeah, I can see a bit of sunburst. I've never seen a sunburst 550 (from the factory), but I won't say it's impossible that it happened. They were experimenting with lots of things back then.

You're right that the headstock is the only place you'll find the SN. You may find a model stamp in the neck pocket, but that's about it.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Yeah, it's kind of crazy that a sticker is the only SN... thanks.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I just realized you wrote DeeJay that worst case it's a 1990 guitar, but sepulchrave astutely pointed out above that the volume knob was moved from where this one is for the 1990 model... I'm thinking that the sticker might be accurate and it's just a weird guitar, but wth do I know...

 

[Dexter Morgan]

OK, I'm picking it up tomorrow. I will post a NGD after I clean it up with some clear well-lit pics, if anyone is interested... Thanks for your help and insights guys...

 

[diablomozart]

btw ive got a coupla 89's (black headstocks) and they all have 87 serial stickers...the puzzling one is a desert sun yellow where the pickups have no logo yet it's all original...it's been guessed it is an 88...congrats on the ngd...d.m.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

btw ive got a coupla 89's (black headstocks) and they all have 87 serial stickers...the puzzling one is a desert sun yellow where the pickups have no logo yet it's all original...it's been guessed it is an 88...congrats on the ngd...d.m.

Lol... well in the future I am probably not going to try to figure this stuff out... if it's that all over the place with the early ones why even bother. Thanks. I'll post some pics...