[Severinsteelsmith]

Here is my recent weiner-bay purchase, a 92' Ibanez RG 550DX. Unfortunately, it is in dire need of a fret dress and maybe a refret. I spent $550 shipped on this baby, then added new pickups (Tone Zone, Air Norton, and Sh2), wired them up with a super switch, then added purple knobs and bobbin toppers. I am a bit worried that the frets are possibly too low for just a dress and that I may need a refret. I am sort of kicking myself, cause I missed my chance at a pretty new 1550 (I believe) in Red for about the same price. If I had that guitar, I would not need a fretjob etc, and I just would have probably just changed pickups. Anyway, considering how much I paid for this guitar, would it be worth a re-fret or should I snag another 550 in better fret health?

Here are some pics!

 

[PumpkinPie]

Although I don't have the answer to your question, I was also wondering about the frets. I just bought a '90 RG550 and it's frets are buzzing when the action is below 2mm, while that may be acceptable for some I can get about 1.2mm on my USA Strat (which is brand new) and prefer the lower and sleeker action. The frets don't show any visible signs of uneven wear but I think some may be higher than others, they already have a much flatter profile than my Strat's frets so I assume they've just worn down.

 

[moebius]

I don't think a refret should cost you as much as another guitar. I would think you could get a refret for $200 or less.

 

[brothersnowgone]

Although I don't have the answer to your question, I was also wondering about the frets. I just bought a '90 RG550 and it's frets are buzzing when the action is below 2mm, while that may be acceptable for some I can get about 1.2mm on my USA Strat (which is brand new) and prefer the lower and sleeker action. The frets don't show any visible signs of uneven wear but I think some may be higher than others, they already have a much flatter profile than my Strat's frets so I assume they've just worn down.

You could go the cheaper route and just get a fret level and redress, probably a bit less then the whole refretting route.

 

[Ironjose]

you know what is weird about this guitar is the model, is an 550 DX but where are the sharkfin inlays? weird huh?
but this is the same guitar that my friend has... but a bit wear out... and with a paul gilbert signature...
o well. congrats man!!!

 

[william1993]

I like it
dress the frets and you'd be good to go

 

[mi2tom]

Awesome! I'm gassing for one as well

 

[william1993]

Maple and blue just go together so well.

 

[LordGrendel]

...Looks quite amazing...

 

[ibz_SA]

...Looks quite amazing...

I agree the best 550 ive seen!

 

[ibanguitar]

I have an old RG550 that I had refretted with Dunlop 6105 frets and the fretboard laquered like a fender maple neck. I enjoy playing this guitar more than a Jem. It cost almost $400 just for the neck refret alone but in my eyes it was money well spent to have a neck redone by a luthier who builds custom guitars.

 

[Severinsteelsmith]

I agree the best 550 ive seen!

Wow, thanks guys for the complements! I used the V-RG program to figure out the color scheme. As it turns out, the neck didn't need a refret or even a fret dress. The neck just had way to much relief, so a little tightening of the truss rod and now it plays great! Since I have been looking, this is the only blue/green 550DX I have seen on weiner-bay, but there are several on there right now with the same color but a different pickguard. To me, the mirror pickguard totally completes the look.

 

[IbanezDaemon]

That guitar is stunning. There's no way in hell I'd part with it.

 

[negativelight]

I have your guitars twin sister !! Ive owned it from new '92. Exactly the same . You won't regret buying it....mine has been great. Ill post a pic tomorrow.!

 

[eruji]

what color is that guitar.. i just bought the exact same one. From the 92 catalog it shows it came in PN Purple Neon, LB Laser Blue and EG Emerald Green

I would guess EG. but it sometimes it looks a bit green.. teal really.

 

[toshiro]

you know what is weird about this guitar is the model, is an 550 DX but where are the sharkfin inlays? weird huh?
but this is the same guitar that my friend has... but a bit wear out... and with a paul gilbert signature...
o well. congrats man!!!

Back in that era DX did not mean Sharkteeth, there was a whole other line of guitar with that, the RG7xx.

what color is that guitar.. i just bought the exact same one. From the 92 catalog it shows it came in PN Purple Neon, LB Laser Blue and EG Emerald Green

I would guess EG. but it sometimes it looks a bit green.. teal really.

That guitar is LB/Laser Blue. If you have the DX you can tell by the pickguard, LB will be blue mirror, PN will be purple mirror, EG will be green mirror.

 

[negativelight]

Yep, Laser Blue same as mine . Mine still has the chrome knobs on though.
Still need to post a pic though!

cheers

negative light

 

[THEE HAMMER]

Fun FUn FUN!

Don't make me want one any more than i already do.

 

[cornstar70]

Did you install the pickguard? If so, where did you get it from?

 

[Severinsteelsmith]

Actually, it is the original pickguard from the factory. The only things I changed are the pickups, knobs, switch top, and bobbin toppers. Pretty geetar though!