the rg550.
the lo pro is generally considered better than the edge pro.
I dont have a guitar with either bridge, but ive played guitars with them and i can say the lo pro is the better one, by feel.
also it has locking studs, which the edge pro doesnt.
So basically, 550 because of the bridge.

 

The RG 550 for sure I like the wizard neck better than the super wizard. I also much prefer the Lo-Pro to the Edge Pro. Also I prefer the maple fingerboard on the 550.Plus the late 80's early 90's was the height of pointy shred guitars to me so I would buy the 550.But its mostly personal preference if you like a rosewood board and a thicker neck and the edge pro than you might want something different. Good Luck

 

I have both trems and they work the same.
I'm just old school too, I like the Lo Pro better.
If I had never seen either one and tried them both today, I wouldn't have a favorite.
The RG550 has a square heal, the RG2550EX has an AANJ.
You can reach 2 to 3 frets higher without having to change you grip on the neck with an AANJ. I have both styles of necks, they say the newer 3pc are stronger. I've never had any trouble with almost 20 1pc necks that are from 1988 to 1992. I'd take a 1pc neck over a 3pc any day. I'm old school and love wood working too. I think Ibanez is just trying to save money by using cheaper and smaller pieces of wood to make necks for less money. I play high up on the neck a lot, so I might lean towards the RG2550EX just because of the AANJ. If your first finger doesn't get past the 17th fret much, get the RG550 hands down.

 

RG550 no contest.

 

If you want a more reliable guitar go with the newer prestige.
There is alot of hype on the old rg550's i have had 4 and guess what i have 0 now.
The newer axes have strenghtened necks and aanj is no contest.
The lopro edge is better for one reason ( it flutters better).

That said my rg1570 with edgepro flutters better than those 550s now because it is a 2002 with ( old springs). Hands down my rg1570 prestige is the best guitar i have ever owned and i have to tune it once a year with string change lol yes once a year it stays in the case and i wipe the strings down after every play .

I would go newer and kiss that square giant chunk of wood away.
Also the endless cracks and probably loose stud inserts in the body from years of abuse and improper locking of studs.

Just get the lock mod from rich for the edgepro and you wont be sorry.

 

If you want a more reliable guitar go with the newer prestige.
There is alot of hype on the old rg550's i have had 4 and guess what i have 0 now.
The newer axes have strenghtened necks and aanj is no contest.
The lopro edge is better for one reason ( it flutters better).

That said my rg1570 with edgepro flutters better than those 550s now because it is a 2002 with ( old springs). Hands down my rg1570 prestige is the best guitar i have ever owned and i have to tune it once a year with string change lol yes once a year it stays in the case and i wipe the strings down after every play .

I would go newer and kiss that square giant chunk of wood away.
Also the endless cracks and probably loose stud inserts in the body from years of abuse and improper locking of studs.

Just get the lock mod from rich for the edgepro and you wont be sorry.

I disagree, the early MIJ's are not unreliable despite their age. If anything, they are much easier to deal with. Most people jive better with the early Wizards. They age well and despite being unsophisticated compared to today's 5 piece necks with modern truss rods, they generally dont need much adjustment. I've had my 88 for 5 years now. I've had a ton of other Rg's and prestige's. I sold all of my prestiges over time but this Rg has stuck by my side. I Buy some here and there, but they are hands down the best guitars for the money. They will be cheaper than 1550-2550's and you'll get just as much. The whole square heel thing? Get over it guys, people can shred on these fine , and have for many years. I don't really care for either, but it's worth mentioning that as far as square heels go, the Rg550 is a lot more accessible than a fender strat thanks to the dimensions of the lower horn.

They are both good guitars, but I can guarantee you will connect more with the older 550. They were made with love and ambition. Back in the days that Ibanez was a hungry company trying desperately to prove that something made in japan was not inferior to US made guitars.

 

Ibanez guitars are like wine. Some years are better than others. And just because it old doesn't mean its good. Quality, I think, isn't necessarily a slope that's angled up or down from the past to today. Some year's quality was good, the next not so much, then another good year.

 

In my mind 1991 was the best of the old stuff.

 

my advice is to get both !!!
both guitars are reliable
both trems are great
so get both... simple as apple pie

 

Is it one of the blue RG2550's, if so, I'd get that one for the color alone. I'd love to get my hands on one of those. Best blue Ibanez has ever produced. Also, since the only issue with the Edge Pro can be fixed by buying locking studs (or doing the locking stud mod), I say go for it.