Ibanez RG550 Genesis...Anyone Else Excited?

[lewis]

Bumping this...

Just got an RG550 in purple neon and it’s gorgeous! Serial says it’s the 13th one made this model year.

The fingerboard has some light flame texture, which was a cool surprise.

Build quality seems flawless, then again its made in Japan...

Need some time getting used to a floating trem, at least it’s one of the best out there.
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Soulhenge?
is that you?

if so, hey bro!
Love the channel!

 

[Soulmate]

Soulhenge?
is that you?

if so, hey bro!
Love the channel!

Sorry, mistaking me for someone else

 

[lewis]

Sorry, mistaking me for someone else

haha sorry man!

mental though because you, like him have "soul" in their name and look what guitar he just picked up -

 

[Soulmate]

haha sorry man!

mental though because you, like him have "soul" in their name and look what guitar he just picked up -

Can’t blame him, if you don’t hate the super wizard neck these are one of the best bang for buck guitars on the market now. Everything else besides the pickups is top quality.

Anyway, I got my purple one earlier and was blown away with the quality. I had to return my yellow Solar because of finish issues and I knew I wanted another yellow guitar so this was an easy choice.

 

[lewis]

Can’t blame him, if you don’t hate the super wizard neck these are one of the best bang for buck guitars on the market now. Everything else besides the pickups is top quality.

Anyway, I got my purple one earlier and was blown away with the quality. I had to return my yellow Solar because of finish issues and I knew I wanted another yellow guitar so this was an easy choice.

I think I would have done the same bro!

Shame about the SOlar though :/

 

[Drew]

the originals came with v1/v2s.
I've used them both...they are all the same level of replaceable.
it's a reissue...they only ever had 2 choices and neither were any better then the other.

I have a Japanese market Genesis-series RG550RFR that came with a set of V1/V2s, and they were actually a lot less-awful than I expected. Very "big" and thick sounding. I swappped them out for something a little more to my taste, but I didn't think they were unusable at all.

The V7/V8, however, I remember being very uninspiring.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

The only thing that is dealbraker for me with that model is the lack of AANJ.

 

[jaxadam]

I have a Japanese market Genesis-series RG550RFR that came with a set of V1/V2s, and they were actually a lot less-awful than I expected. Very "big" and thick sounding. I swappped them out for something a little more to my taste, but I didn't think they were unusable at all.

The V7/V8, however, I remember being very uninspiring.

The V1/V2’s in my opinion are stellar pickups, the poor man’s TZ/AN combo. I still have a set around here somewhere and I’d absolutely throw them in something.

 

[trem licking]

this model gets a pass because its supposed to be a tip to a classic... back when it had the wretched block heel... but that block heel is MAJORLY unacceptable. horrible feel/access to upper frets and the wood/paint cracks way more easily in the pocket area. simply no reason to use that anymore, other than nod to the past i guess.

 

[bzhang9]

this model gets a pass because its supposed to be a tip to a classic... back when it had the wretched block heel... but that block heel is MAJORLY unacceptable. horrible feel/access to upper frets and the wood/paint cracks way more easily in the pocket area. simply no reason to use that anymore, other than nod to the past i guess.

dude its not that bad... people still love the old 550s, jems, etc all have block heels

and the Ibanez block is still better than most block heels like strats/teles which is like 30% of all guitars on the market

 

[trem licking]

dude its not that bad... people still love the old 550s, jems, etc all have block heels

and the Ibanez block is still better than most block heels like strats/teles which is like 30% of all guitars on the market

Strongly disagree, all block heels suck. Yes, ive played an old rg550 plenty of times, block heel is a deal breaker

 

[Spicypickles]

There is something to be said about the increased surface area and contact between the body and neck. It’s probably just a mind trick, but I also don’t have bitch hands and don’t notice block heels either way.

 

[Leviathus]

AANJ vs block heel is on SSO debate bingo for sure.

 

[CerealKiller]

Snatched one in RFR last year as well, put a Tone Zone in the bridge. Heel doesn't bother me at all. Great guitar, super fun to play!

 

[Matt08642]

They really should reissue the mid-90s 550s. Bolt through neck locking nut, aanj, classic colors

 

[Wolfhorsky]

Why though? Have you played the block joints? If you haven't give em a try. I don't hardly notice much difference at all, no matter what fret or string I'm on.

I have MIJ Dinky and had few guitars with this kind of joint. I even played the original rg550 and that bulky neck joint is a no go for me. YMMV, mate. I am a big fan of NTB or AANJ.

 

[trem licking]

If you don't play up there or have a thumb under technique, I'm sure its fine... But still, why? Surface area contact/tone debate is definitely a mind trick, for sure

 

[Spicypickles]

If you don't play up there or have a thumb under technique, I'm sure its fine... But still, why? Surface area contact/tone debate is definitely a mind trick, for sure

I mostly live in the 10-24 fret range these days (Technique practice) and play thumb under. I grew up on block heels so I’m used to them and they just don’t bother me at all. I don’t notice it’s there.

 

[Wolfhorsky]

I mostly live in the 10-24 fret range these days (Technique practice) and play thumb under. I grew up on block heels so I’m used to them and they just don’t bother me at all. I don’t notice it’s there.

Me too, BUT after playing NTB or AANJ there was no way back for me.