The Ibanez RG550 is one of the best-known superstrat guitars. Mine was made in Japan in 1991 and is still in great shape. The finish may need touching up in places, but the wood of the body and neck has kept its beautiful musical qualities.
Pickups as in the Ibanez JPM100
The guitar got the pickup set known from the Ibanez JPM100 – John Petrucci’s signature model:
- Bridge: DiMarzio Air Norton
- Neck: DiMarzio Stevie’s Special
This combination sounds fantastic.
Inspirations: Paul Gilbert and Richie Kotzen
- Following Paul Gilbert and his Ibanez PGM100, I blocked the bridge.
- The guitar has a maple fingerboard – like Gilbert’s model.
- Inspired by Richie Kotzen’s RK1, I swapped the knobs for strikingly colourful ones.
The result is a bit of a „Frankenstein”, but a very successful one.
Condition after 30 years
The jumbo frets are still in good condition. Japanese guitar making was clearly at its very best back then. In the video the guitar plays through a Roland Cube 15 – just like in the Kramer 612 video.
Are old Japanese Ibanez guitars worth looking for?
If you come across a well-kept Japanese RG from the late 1980s or early 1990s, it is worth a look. Solid wood and build quality make these guitars a great base for your own mods.
