NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Correct, the neck could be stamped "550" but it could be used on any of the 500 series guitars. The rosewood boards were normally stamped "550R"

Japan had all kinds of weird runs that never made it to North America.

Yeah, that's exactly it, RG-550R. Thanks for the clarification. I first thought it was a mistake but then I got a second neck like it so I kind of concluded they had a weird system to mark their necks.


EDIT:
$55 for an MIJ RG?!? Whoa, talk about a lucky day!
 
Last edited:
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Btw, I haven't strung this up yet, (tomorrow for sure), but are these pups likely to be good, or more likely to be of the "Power-sound" variety?

There's no markings on the front or the back. Just blank plates.
IIRC they were pretty decent..... But it´s been well over a decade...
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Yeah, that's exactly it, RG-550R. Thanks for the clarification. I first thought it was a mistake but then I got a second neck like it so I kind of concluded they had a weird system to mark their necks.

I actually had a maple board 570... one of the few Ibanez I wish I had not sold (and I have owned many)
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

$55 for an MIJ RG?!? Whoa, talk about a lucky day!

Every once in awhile, the flea-market comes through. But you gotta get there early and know what you're looking at.
That included the semi-soft, (semi-hard?), case and a tuner and new strings.

IIRC they were pretty decent..... But it´s been well over a decade...

I'll know tomorrow. I'll let you know. ;)
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Holy sheeet what a deal and cool Ibz! Black/magenta burst is one of my fav finishes.

This is the first RG6xx I've seen in black/magenta burst. The only other of this model I've seen was a tinted/natural one with sen ash body, which might've been a proto (might explain the one piece body?), or a Japan only thing. How sweet is that? One of the nicest Ibz I've seen.
IMG_4404_zpsbd77412d.jpg


The pickups were the same as in regular RGs of the same year, 1987-89 they were black and didn't have a logo. The humbucker is a V2; single coils are S1. I wish I remember the full specs of the natural one, the guy who had it on his website listed it all.
 
Last edited:
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

That guitar is interesting. Is it just me or the body shape isn't as defined as a regular RG? The cutaways look thicker.
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

The body is a bit more rounded and horns are softer. The lower bout of a normal RG is a bit 'harder' like a Soloist.
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Holy sheeet what a deal and cool Ibz! Black/magenta burst is one of my fav finishes.

This is the first RG6xx I've seen in black/magenta burst. The only other of this model I've seen was a tinted/natural one with sen ash body, which might've been a proto (might explain the one piece body?), or a Japan only thing. How sweet is that? One of the nicest Ibz I've seen.

The pickups were the same as in regular RGs of the same year, 1987-89 they were black and didn't have a logo. The humbucker is a V2; single coils are S1. I wish I remember the full specs of the natural one, the guy who had it on his website listed it all.

Wow! That "natural" look is gorgeous. I wouldn't mind doing mine that way. The magenta is apparently a solid color, under the darker over coat. There's a few places where the lacquer is chipped off, and you can see the solid color underneath.

The body is a bit more rounded and horns are softer. The lower bout of a normal RG is a bit 'harder' like a Soloist.

The edges of mine are very square. Very little radiusing at all. But it does have the tummy tuck and forearm relief. (Like the one pictured below.)

I really wanted to repaint it like this:

RG560-seafoam.png


But now I'm not sure I should mess with it. Especially if its rare. Maybe just keep paint chips, scratches, and all. :scratchch
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Ok . . . I'll leave it alone for now. I just need to string her up and see how she sounds.
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Hey all. While searching the forum for something else, I stumbled upon this old thread. I realized that I never got back to you all about stringing this thing up. I did. (Many moons ago.) She sounds killer. Each pup is exactly what it should be for each position. Each position just screams "Ibby". I'll never change these pups. This is especially fun playing through the Fulltone OCD and PCE Aluminum Falcon that Lazarus loaned me. From heavy power chords, to bluesy pentatonic leads, this Ibby is sweet.

I wish it was Friday night instead of Thursday night. I could play with this all night long. :)

Artie
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

No [new] pics Artie?

My bad. However, this axe looks exactly like the first pics, but with strings installed. I just took some pics, but they suck. I'll post better this weekend.
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

I missed this the first time around, so Ill say congrats! WOW!! And for what you paid?? mercy.. First, I love those old RGs. Really hurt to sell my 570, but she wasnt getting much attention and I was broke!! But its espec cool to find rare ones!! Glad you are digging it!
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Artie, that would be an rg660. An x65 is an HS setup

X20 HH no pickguard
X21 HH no pickguard harddtail
X40 ???
X50 HSH pickguard
X60 HSS no pickguard
X65 HS no pickguard
X70 HSH no pickguard

I know there are some oddballs like
X18. Sparkle finish

The suffixes mean something too, I just don't know what
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

I missed this the first time around, so Ill say congrats! WOW!! And for what you paid?? mercy.. First, I love those old RGs. Really hurt to sell my 570, but she wasnt getting much attention and I was broke!! But its espec cool to find rare ones!! Glad you are digging it!

Thanks BR. How's Lake City working out for you?

Artie, that would be an rg660. An x65 is an HS setup

Thanks for the good info Juan, but why did Ibby stamp 665 in the neck pocket. Someone else may have already covered this, but I didn't reread the whole thread.

Artie
 
Re: NGD: MIJ Ibanez RG-665 (1997)

Good to hear you're still rocking it :cool2:.

Here's a HS version. Only one I've seen.
797_900.jpg
 
Back
Top