The 550 was the best of the RG's IMHO. I have owned 550's, 570's and a Lazer blue 770 but always preferred the 550 for some reason. Something about the Maple board with that Wizard profile i guess?
Back in 1996 i bought a pink 1989 Ibanez RG550, it was on display in a store window to a guitarstore, it have been sitting there for a whole summer so the wax from the pickups had melted, i got it for a cheap price and swapped for two EMG 81 and one EMG SA, the guitar was a dream to play, i wish i had it today but i sold it in the late 90´s and bought a Gibson Flying V instead, thats when i got the taste of Gibson and now i own about 10-12 Gibson Les Pauls, but i still miss that Pink RG550.. thanks for showing us this fantastic RG560 that has alot of history to it..
I just bought a 1991 RG 570 in black that sat in the case for 20 years. It had EMG 89/SA/89 installed in it. The battery and terminal was completely corroded and the battery was dated 1996. Great guitar and it is one of my favorite guitars now.
Got my 1987 serial RG550 in white in 1999 used in a London guitar shop when I was still just a teenager. Years later I eneded up selling it and always regretted it. Then about 5 years ago I swear I literally saw it on eBay as it had the exact same relicing on the body and wear on the maple neck and was only around 10 miles from where I live crazy man!! Love the wear and tear on your one Steve rock on!!
I was 19 in 1988 so you're speaking my language! I didn't know you had these Ibanez models. I've always wanted a DY 550. Someday... Thanks for sharing! \m/
I think it's about time we got an updated guitar collection video (however long that would take to film!), Been watching your videos for years and would love to see where the collection is at at the moment.
Thanks to this channel I've become interested in Ibanez guitars from the golden years. Recently got an RG570 (1992) in beautiful Emerald Green. Pickups were replaced with Dimarzio PAF Pro and Evolution. Fast becoming my favourite axe!
My first Ibanez is a1990 RG560 in metallic lipstick red. I kept the original pickups. I still play her because like you said very dependable tuning with the Edge locking tremolo and i love her now as much as i did in March 1990 when I first got her.
Bought my 560 (Red, like yours) in May 1988 with my graduation money. Ended up years later sanding the body down. Eventually wrapped in crush velvet. I recently restored it. The body was pretty wasted, so I bought a used (black) 550 body. Transferred all the components over and it plays and looks great. Those early RG's are great guitars. Not my main player these days but cool to still own one. Great story!
Ibanez saved my back. My 75" LP was starting to create serious back problems. I liked the way the JS/Radius body felt and it was half the weight of the LP. Been playing those guitars now for over 30 years.
I got to tell you she really sounds good. Sometimes it takes some time & elbow grease along with all of the knowledge that we have learned over the years to bring them back but it is worth it. Excellent job. See you on Saturday night, stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John (Zepbass) Gregory from Munster Indiana.
My first Ibanez was a S370 that I got for $40 and had to fix the locking nut with missing parts. Got it because of your review of an S470 that you got back in the Pixxy Lixx days. 370 is the same as a 470. It was the hideous matte orange, I unfinished it and made it natural, they are all one piece mahogany, looks gorgeous now.!
A few months ago, I picked up an Rg450 on fb marketplace for $300. Previous owner swapped out the three stock pups for a JB and Jazz set (custom pick guard). LOVE IT!!!
That's awesome Steve. The video where you first talked about this guitar and your favorite books was what got me on to your channel. Keep up the great work and content.
Original 1991 770dx in Ruby red (white bound maple board with red shark tooths und pup's) original edge trem. best guitar I've ever bought...never sell it
Awesome story about your 1st Ibanez. My first Ibanez was a 1989 540 Sabre which I bought brand new at House of Guitars in Rochester New York. It was my first "good" guitar after 2 years of playing on a cheap beginner guitar in my early teens.
I've never owned an Ibanez but they make some very fine guitars at good prices. I watched them totally explode in popularity around '87. They had all the right endorsers, and they gave players what they wanted without having to break the bank. They had the Wizard neck, the tapered neck joint, often very good DiMarzio pickups, a superior locking trem, better than a Floyd, 24 frets, and they looked cool. I'll eventually get an S or RG with a hardtail and some DiMarzios. They play like butter. I liked Petrucci's Ibanez sig a lot more than anything he's signed his name on with Music Man. Ibanez are now offering many more options including EMG, Fishman, Duncan and Bareknuckle, which is smart. They're not getting stagnent.
I have charvel from 88 that had fret sprout that I fixed, brought back to life. Is not bad, having trouble intonating the A string won't go back far enough.
Looking very nice!! I have a Love/Hate relationship with StewMac. I bought the 2 sided, re-curve diamond fret files. 2 of them for doing 4 sizes/types of frets. They also work outstanding, very fast and accurate. $140 each!! When I converted my computer lab to a mini-guitar shop I spent a lot of $$ at SM! It hurt, but it allows me to do everything right, and gives me a lot of capability. Now there are a few other choices other than SM we didn't have ~10 years ago to. I have a lot of stories about that!! LOLOL. Peace... --gary
I want a scalloped neck again. I used to do it to all my guitars. The feel of wood under your fingers is cool, i like it too, but scalloped is just so smooth especially with big fat frets like that. \m/\m/
Very nice! Got myself a RG 570 in 1997 as my 1st real guitar. My frets look the same as yours now...haha. Also threw in a set of 81, 85's because I had to be like Zakk Wylde and Metallica. Its still awesome!
I traded in a beat down Gibson Invader and some cash for a lefty 1990 RG550 in the Coral Mist color. Loved the guitar but there was no other color I could find in stock in a lefty. I stripped it down a year or so later and painted it satin black. Still have it and it plays great.
I have this guitar too but i bought it about 8 years ago , 225 with the case!!! , your guitar looks to be the same finish as mine, but mine turned into "army greenish" .
Bonjour Steve, I am Xavier, hello from France ; thanks for your videos, and all the info and historical details you give, as an actual witness of this 80's/90's era. It's a very precious input. Concerning these 87 Fujigen stickers, can you please tell me the first 3 digits of the serial of this 560? I have an F744xxx RG and I'm pretty sure it is an early 88 as well, but that is just a guess and your answer would immensely help! Merci
Very Cool Thankyou. I only have an Ibanez Artwood Acoustic, Amazing Guitar. Have been waiting for a suitable Ibanez Electric to become available 2nd hand locally, none yet. Cheers
There was a MIJ Malmsteen model that was incredible! it was leagues better than the first USA YJM strats. it had the large headstock and 6 point trem while the USA one had the small headstock and two point trem? Nothing like what Yngwie was playing? I never understood why fender did that on the first USA's?
That Volume knob looks like id hate the position of it. My ESP's have that problem, so much so that I put one of those Ratcheting DaDDario knobs on it so i cant hit the volume out of wack. Funny enough,all the LTD variants have the volume knobs further away from PU. I sold off 3 RG550's during the lockdown. really liked them but not as much as my other guitars, they turned into 2 Charvel DK24's and an E-II, zero regrets. I think Im going to go with a Prestige at some point so i can have an elite Ibby,
the guitar sounds great and i really like the tone, classic but very clear. i had similar issues with an emg install that included a screw through the back. guess tape measures arent cool. also had an ibanez dg350 i believe from 84 i think. awesome guitar but it got stolen.
Scalloping a Original wizard neck was Insane! I do not care how good you are a wizard neck in 17millimeters at the first fret and 19 at the 12th fret so when you scallop it the neck loses any strength it had. If that thing gets knocked over the neck will snap like a twig!🤣
Naw, it's fallen over and been dropped dozens of times, that neck isn't going anywhere. And I strung it with 11-49 for years, only recently went back to 10s on it.
Not a chance! a mint RG560 that is still all original sells for under $800. His has flood damage and was scalloped. For what he would get it does not pay to sell it. better to just keep it as one of your early guitars.
Mine is a 91 RG570fm in Blueburst. You do not see them much? it has a flame maple top. It is in Mint condition and all original. Not a scratch or ding on it. I got it on Craigslist for $400! My other one is a 89 white RG550 that needs a refin. the white paint turned a real ugly cream, figures it did not turn a regular cream color! That i could have lived with😁
I bought a 80's Ibanez and sold it for a loss soon afterward. If I knew it was a 'classic'. I would of keep it but couldn't tease my hair sufficiently to play it.
Scalloping a Original wizard neck is Insane! The wizard neck in 17 millimeters at the first fret and 19 at the 12th fret so when you scallop it the neck loses any strength it had. If that thing gets knocked over the neck will snap like a twig! I am surprised it even holds string tension!🤣
Naw, it's fallen over and been dropped dozens of times, that neck isn't going anywhere. And I strung it with 11-49 for years, only recently went back to 10s on it.
Both sides, but at an angle for each of the two sides of the file. It's a flip file. Hit it with one side of the file, then turn file over to the other side and hit it again. Perfect every time.
I miss my 560 soooo much I foolishly traded it in on just stupid stuff not worth the sentimental value of that guitar , I owned it since 91 stopped playing for a good few years cause I thought I should be devoted to family but once my marriage fell apart and started playing alittle again I thought ill get something newer to get me back into it , BOY did I make a mistake had no idea what I had.
Hey Steve, nice job, the pickups sound great. My first strat also had a scalloped fretboard. I rounded the edges slightly on the first frets, felt very good. 👌 btw....i saw you're left-handed but you play the guitar right-handed ? 🦧
I graduated High School in 1988. Cool video. I also bought a brand new Desert Sun Yellow RG550 in 1989
Wish I still had it.
This is a trip back in time in multiple ways, nice work we need more of this.
First Ibanez was a yellow RG 550, then bought a purple RG 570 several years later! My favorite guitars! You rock Steve!
The 550 was the best of the RG's IMHO. I have owned 550's, 570's and a Lazer blue 770 but always preferred the 550
for some reason. Something about the Maple board with that Wizard profile i guess?
beautiful guitar! Love those H-S-S (as well as H-S) configuration!
Back in 1996 i bought a pink 1989 Ibanez RG550, it was on display in a store window to a guitarstore, it have been sitting there for a whole summer so the wax from the pickups had melted, i got it for a cheap price and swapped for two EMG 81 and one EMG SA, the guitar was a dream to play, i wish i had it today but i sold it in the late 90´s and bought a Gibson Flying V instead, thats when i got the taste of Gibson and now i own about 10-12 Gibson Les Pauls, but i still miss that Pink RG550.. thanks for showing us this fantastic RG560 that has alot of history to it..
I almost bought that same model and color. If memory serves me correct the Pink was not just a regular boring pink
but had a almost pearl to it?
I just bought a 1991 RG 570 in black that sat in the case for 20 years. It had EMG 89/SA/89 installed in it. The battery and terminal was completely corroded and the battery was dated 1996. Great guitar and it is one of my favorite guitars now.
Videos like this are why I started watching this channel years ago. Do more!
Got my 1987 serial RG550 in white in 1999 used in a London guitar shop when I was still just a teenager. Years later I eneded up selling it and always regretted it. Then about 5 years ago I swear I literally saw it on eBay as it had the exact same relicing on the body and wear on the maple neck and was only around 10 miles from where I live crazy man!! Love the wear and tear on your one Steve rock on!!
so much history in this one! glad u kept it
I was 19 in 1988 so you're speaking my language! I didn't know you had these Ibanez models. I've always wanted a DY 550. Someday... Thanks for sharing! \m/
I remember this guitar from years ago man your TH-cam has come a long way. Love the water damage relicing. Shes a survivor that guitar tells a story
I think it's about time we got an updated guitar collection video (however long that would take to film!), Been watching your videos for years and would love to see where the collection is at at the moment.
Thanks to this channel I've become interested in Ibanez guitars from the golden years. Recently got an RG570 (1992) in beautiful Emerald Green. Pickups were replaced with Dimarzio PAF Pro and Evolution. Fast becoming my favourite axe!
Holy shit! I remember this guitar from FOREVER ago! Nice to see it back
My first Ibanez is a1990 RG560 in metallic lipstick red. I kept the original pickups. I still play her because like you said very dependable tuning with the Edge locking tremolo and i love her now as much as i did in March 1990 when I first got her.
Bought my 560 (Red, like yours) in May 1988 with my graduation money. Ended up years later sanding the body down. Eventually wrapped in crush velvet. I recently restored it. The body was pretty wasted, so I bought a used (black) 550 body. Transferred all the components over and it plays and looks great. Those early RG's are great guitars. Not my main player these days but cool to still own one. Great story!
Ibanez saved my back. My 75" LP was starting to create serious back problems. I liked the way the JS/Radius body felt and it was half the weight of the LP. Been playing those guitars now for over 30 years.
Yes, I love, LOVE the vintage Ibanez content!!
I got to tell you she really sounds good. Sometimes it takes some time & elbow grease along with all of the knowledge that we have learned over the years to bring them back but it is worth it. Excellent job. See you on Saturday night, stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John (Zepbass) Gregory from Munster Indiana.
Cool guitar. Love that one and your story!
My first Ibanez was a S370 that I got for $40 and had to fix the locking nut with missing parts. Got it because of your review of an S470 that you got back in the Pixxy Lixx days. 370 is the same as a 470. It was the hideous matte orange, I unfinished it and made it natural, they are all one piece mahogany, looks gorgeous now.!
Love these vids .. dont sell.. rehab.. nice job.. too bad she gained some water weight.. but she is a survivor..
It's got character! A survivor.
A few months ago, I picked up an Rg450 on fb marketplace for $300. Previous owner swapped out the three stock pups for a JB and Jazz set (custom pick guard). LOVE IT!!!
That's awesome Steve. The video where you first talked about this guitar and your favorite books was what got me on to your channel. Keep up the great work and content.
It's great to see new life brought into the old axe! I have a couple golden era Ibby's ('91 RG565 and '92 RG570). Both are great guitars.
Original 1991 770dx in Ruby red (white bound maple board with red shark tooths und pup's) original edge trem. best guitar I've ever bought...never sell it
Love a vintage Ibanez, I have a 1993 RG550 and always wondered how to compares to the current reissues.
Crazy, I was just watching the relic vid with that guitar from 8 years ago yesterday.
Whenever I think of you or your vids, I always think of that guitar. Kinda like your signature guitar.
Awesome story about your 1st Ibanez. My first Ibanez was a 1989 540 Sabre which I bought brand new at House of Guitars in Rochester New York. It was my first "good" guitar after 2 years of playing on a cheap beginner guitar in my early teens.
You still have it?
@@metalEric69 No I wish. I sold it in college when I was broke lol.
Very nice job on the frets, Steve 👍
I've never owned an Ibanez but they make some very fine guitars at good prices. I watched them totally explode in popularity around '87. They had all the right endorsers, and they gave players what they wanted without having to break the bank. They had the Wizard neck, the tapered neck joint, often very good DiMarzio pickups, a superior locking trem, better than a Floyd, 24 frets, and they looked cool. I'll eventually get an S or RG with a hardtail and some DiMarzios. They play like butter. I liked Petrucci's Ibanez sig a lot more than anything he's signed his name on with Music Man. Ibanez are now offering many more options including EMG, Fishman, Duncan and Bareknuckle, which is smart. They're not getting stagnent.
Nice job on that re-crowning, SFB!
I have charvel from 88 that had fret sprout that I fixed, brought back to life. Is not bad, having trouble intonating the A string won't go back far enough.
Looking very nice!! I have a Love/Hate relationship with StewMac. I bought the 2 sided, re-curve diamond fret files. 2 of them for doing 4 sizes/types of frets. They also work outstanding, very fast and accurate. $140 each!! When I converted my computer lab to a mini-guitar shop I spent a lot of $$ at SM! It hurt, but it allows me to do everything right, and gives me a lot of capability. Now there are a few other choices other than SM we didn't have ~10 years ago to. I have a lot of stories about that!! LOLOL. Peace... --gary
I want a scalloped neck again. I used to do it to all my guitars. The feel of wood under your fingers is cool, i like it too, but scalloped is just so smooth especially with big fat frets like that. \m/\m/
Very nice! Got myself a RG 570 in 1997 as my 1st real guitar. My frets look the same as yours now...haha. Also threw in a set of 81, 85's because I had to be like Zakk Wylde and Metallica. Its still awesome!
Cool. I have 3 of the "S" series Ibanez guitars. I like them because they are really light. There's an "S" series Nita Strauss signature version.
I traded in a beat down Gibson Invader and some cash for a lefty 1990 RG550 in the Coral Mist color. Loved the guitar but there was no other color I could find in stock in a lefty. I stripped it down a year or so later and painted it satin black. Still have it and it plays great.
love that guitar, looks great
Wonderful Guitar 🤘
Seriously cool Guitar!
I have this guitar too but i bought it about 8 years ago , 225 with the case!!! , your guitar looks to be the same finish as mine, but mine turned into "army greenish" .
Bonjour Steve, I am Xavier, hello from France ; thanks for your videos, and all the info and historical details you give, as an actual witness of this 80's/90's era. It's a very precious input. Concerning these 87 Fujigen stickers, can you please tell me the first 3 digits of the serial of this 560? I have an F744xxx RG and I'm pretty sure it is an early 88 as well, but that is just a guess and your answer would immensely help! Merci
Very Cool Thankyou. I only have an Ibanez Artwood Acoustic, Amazing Guitar. Have been waiting for a suitable Ibanez Electric to become available 2nd hand locally, none yet. Cheers
I've 'never' understood why people think to cut the pickup leads in the middle, mind boggling!
I found a Ibanez 1986 pl2550 at yard sale for 75 bucks, with case, interesting guitar, haven’t seen one around
My EMG’s are from ‘88 and there is no ink left on them. 81/S/SA. Nice looking frets there.
Boy that looks like a deep scalop
Love that guitar!
Sounds awesome 🙌🏽🙌🏽
Just bought a 1985 MIJ Fender strat but never considered it to be Vintage. Are we at that point.
There was a MIJ Malmsteen model that was incredible! it was leagues better than the
first USA YJM strats. it had the large headstock and 6 point trem while the USA one had the small headstock
and two point trem? Nothing like what Yngwie was playing? I never understood why fender did that on the first USA's?
That Volume knob looks like id hate the position of it. My ESP's have that problem, so much so that I put one of those Ratcheting DaDDario knobs on it so i cant hit the volume out of wack. Funny enough,all the LTD variants have the volume knobs further away from PU. I sold off 3 RG550's during the lockdown. really liked them but not as much as my other guitars, they turned into 2 Charvel DK24's and an E-II, zero regrets. I think Im going to go with a Prestige at some point so i can have an elite Ibby,
the guitar sounds great and i really like the tone, classic but very clear. i had similar issues with an emg install that included a screw through the back. guess tape measures arent cool. also had an ibanez dg350 i believe from 84 i think. awesome guitar but it got stolen.
I use my 357 mag brass brush for the jacks.
R.I.P David Crosby 😔
good job! it makes me want to try scalloping again... I am not as brave as you so maybe I should get a real inexpensive guitar to give it a go...
Scalloping a Original wizard neck was Insane! I do not care how good you are a wizard neck in 17millimeters
at the first fret and 19 at the 12th fret so when you scallop it the neck loses any strength it had.
If that thing gets knocked over the neck will snap like a twig!🤣
Naw, it's fallen over and been dropped dozens of times, that neck isn't going anywhere. And I strung it with 11-49 for years, only recently went back to 10s on it.
I can’t find my zfile damn it!! Think I’ve only used it twice so far, Probably will show up after I order a new one I’m sure😂😂
Steve the BOSTON RIPPER. Guitar that is...
Man, I remember years ago when you first introduced this guitar and told this story. Still have the chibsons from that time period?
Dude that's super wicked good. that guitar is probably worth a fat stack of cash .
Not a chance! a mint RG560 that is still all original sells for under $800. His has flood damage and was scalloped.
For what he would get it does not pay to sell it. better to just keep it as one of your early guitars.
I wish I still had my 760 or 560 I just ordered a new 550
Mine is a 91 RG570fm in Blueburst. You do not see them much? it has a flame maple top.
It is in Mint condition and all original. Not a scratch or ding on it. I got it on Craigslist for $400! My other one is a 89 white RG550 that needs a refin. the white paint turned a real ugly cream, figures it did not turn a regular cream color! That i could have lived with😁
I bought a 80's Ibanez and sold it for a loss soon afterward. If I knew it was a 'classic'. I would of keep it but couldn't tease my hair sufficiently to play it.
Henning is cool
First IBANEZ was a Road Star 2 think it was around 83 or 84 ??? Strat copy
I still have mine in yellow a 1984 original with case! Love it.
I have one identical that's pylon orange...... soon to be pewter.
Whaddya mean it looks bad? I think it looks beautiful. I've seen worse 35 year old guitars.
Hey Sassy 🤘😄
@@yetimatzenightcat8702 🤘😺
I have an 87-88 RG 550 in road flare red
Scalloping a Original wizard neck is Insane! The wizard neck in 17 millimeters
at the first fret and 19 at the 12th fret so when you scallop it the neck loses any strength it had.
If that thing gets knocked over the neck will snap like a twig! I am surprised it even holds string tension!🤣
Naw, it's fallen over and been dropped dozens of times, that neck isn't going anywhere. And I strung it with 11-49 for years, only recently went back to 10s on it.
Mine survived 30 years. It's a 540s ibz/usa
It says made in usa in the plate but I'm not 100% sure of that.
Nice
My buddy had this same model
👌
Ibanez dint show up on the west coast till like 94'... lol
Nah I bought one like Steve in 88
They were MASSIVE on west coast in '88.
Does your file do both sides of the fret at once or have to do it from each direction?
Both sides, but at an angle for each of the two sides of the file. It's a flip file. Hit it with one side of the file, then turn file over to the other side and hit it again. Perfect every time.
Is it harder to play a scalloped neck?
No!!!
Which Z File do you use?
The original
I miss my 560 soooo much I foolishly traded it in on just stupid stuff not worth the sentimental value of that guitar , I owned it since 91 stopped playing for a good few years cause I thought I should be devoted to family but once my marriage fell apart and started playing alittle again I thought ill get something newer to get me back into it , BOY did I make a mistake had no idea what I had.
Like loaning out a Hooker
Naaaa
Noooo
Hey Steve, nice job, the pickups sound great. My first strat also had a scalloped fretboard. I rounded the edges slightly on the first frets, felt very good. 👌
btw....i saw you're left-handed but you play the guitar right-handed ? 🦧