Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

I have a question about this guitar.
All of the 570 models I have looked at on eBay and reverb all have a HSH setup, but this is an HS setup.
Is this a 570 neck on a different model body?
If so, what model body is this?
OR...was this body altered to have the middle and neck pickup filled and the neck re-routed for a single?
I ask because I love the HS setup and I have been doing a little window shopping for some superstrats lately and I’d like to know what model had the HS setup.
Thanks.

The body is indeed a factory real Ibanez Hum Single body and is unusual. The neck plate is an Ibanez USA plate and this body may well be one of the USA bodies. They did the MIJ guitars a year or so in a Hum Single as well as a few of the rare USA Customs. Paint on that body has been on it a while and those stripes are not tape it's all paint and cleared like it's factory so?? Has a few bumps and dings but the paint is 95% or better intact suspect this thing has been a road warrior at some point.
First thought was to just put it back together and flip it quick but now it's likely become a keeper. Really surprised how much I am bonding with this thing and liking playing it. In particular with that true wizard neck profile and how even the string response is across the neck. Had several of these guitars over the years and that even response across the neck was not the case on the others.
Kinda have a soft spot for the outcast discarded and unloved I sorta identify with um LOL. Example would be the CAT we got 7 months or so ago. We had lost our last one after 15 years and missed having a cat so went to the shelter. Plan was to come back with a cute kitten--nope wound up with one that was so abused and traumatized it was up under the bed in the cage hidden when we first saw her. She was around a year old weighed in at 5 LBS and looked pretty rough when we first got her. Took about 2 months to win her trust but now she stays curled up in my lap when I'm home is a healthy 12 pounds and is just stunning to look at. Became one of the coolest cats we have ever had. This crazy thrown away guitar is kinda tugging at me like she did so---.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

The neckplate means nothing cause anyone could put any neckplate on it as he wishes.

All of USA Customs I've seen have HSS setup and sporting cool graphics, so only a ****** would alter those graphics with racing stripes. I reckon the body is RG565 (reverse headstock), MIJ not USA.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That’s a way cool find. Looks like a quality built Mutt!

Thanks for that man. Because of how many mutts you rescue I started to hit you with a PM about this one before I posted it. Thought you would like this beast!

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

The neckplate means nothing cause anyone could put any neckplate on it as he wishes.

All of USA Customs I've seen have HSS setup and sporting cool graphics, so only a ****** would alter those graphics with racing stripes. I reckon the body is RG565 (reverse headstock), MIJ not USA.

Played a few of the Ibanez USA guitars over the years and thought about buying 2 different ones. I have seen 2 that were Hum Singles but most i have seen were Hum Hum guitars not H/S/S and know for fact not all have elaborate graphics.
Here is a sold Reverb listing for a H/S USA RG with graphics. Mine has the block lock on the trem like this one BTW.
https://reverb.com/item/732303-ibanez-1989-usa-custom-get-it-away
Current Hum Single USA Custom with graphics for sale on Reverb these were mostly built to order so---.
https://reverb.com/item/15821510-ibanez-usa-custom-ucgr-necromancer-graphic-1989-necromancer
I suspect this guitar was a USA and the original neck was replaced for some reason maybe a break?
Have a friend who works for one of the bigger independent shops who is about like I am on the Washburn USA guitars with these. Next week after I get it back together maybe I can get her over to him. He has several USA Customs now and has owned a number of them over the years so we shall see. Whatever it is it's a really cool guitar!

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

The neckplate means nothing cause anyone could put any neckplate on it as he wishes.

All of USA Customs I've seen have HSS setup and sporting cool graphics, so only a ****** would alter those graphics with racing stripes. I reckon the body is RG565 (reverse headstock), MIJ not USA.

The USA Customs were available in Hxx, HxS, and HSH configurations, but most were HSH.. This is mostly likely an RG 565 body with a 570 neck, which was a replacement for the reverse headstock and would explain the lefty/reverse tuners.

I dont believe that finish to be an original because the shade of the color is off from what was available at the time, and the stripes dont have perfectly straight tape lines.

This is still a really cool guitar no doubt about it, and Id be excited if it were mine. Id probably try to source a reverse headstock to put back on it and possibly refinish it later on after you play it and get the bugs worked out because it would make an awesome project.
Thanks for sharing and keep us updated on this as you go.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That string block as you called it is actually a string retainer bar and they were introduced in 1987 and appeared on the black painted trem block Original Edges and were then phased out in favor of the longer trem block which was bare cast metal.

I have an Ibanez buddy who is good friends with Rich at Ibanez Rules so between your buddy and mine Im sure we can shed some further light on the subject. Im not saying youre wrong, nor am I saying Im right, just trying to help and lend another set of eyes.

Your neck pocket should be stamped with the model, so when you get a chance peel that neck off and check.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

RG565 Body?

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That string block as you called it is actually a string retainer bar and they were introduced in 1987 and appeared on the black painted trem block Original Edges and were then phased out in favor of the longer trem block which was bare cast metal.

I have an Ibanez buddy who is good friends with Rich at Ibanez Rules so between your buddy and mine Im sure we can shed some further light on the subject. Im not saying youre wrong, nor am I saying Im right, just trying to help and lend another set of eyes.

Your neck pocket should be stamped with the model, so when you get a chance peel that neck off and check.

And that will indeed tell the tale when i pull the neck. May be a while though. The tuners on this neck were left handed so i suspect they came from the original neck and it indeed was a reverse headstock. The neck pickup is a Dimarzio not a Duncan BTW. The mount screws are machine screws with threaded inserts in that body [ that is one reason I think this is a USA custom the little details BTW]. I got one out but the other head is absolutely stripped so want to see how it sounds before I fight that fight and pull it. Fast trac maybe??

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

RG565 Body?

Could be. Do you know if they used brass inserts in the body on those or screws in the wood to direct mount the neck pickup ? This one having the brass inserts is one reason I suspect it is a USA.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That is a really good question, Im not really sure but Im gonna say the RG565's did not have the brass inserts.
They are easily added to any guitar so being this is 30+yrs old its hard to say what all was modded along the way.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

Got her back together and took it out tonight.
Still have minor wiring issues in particular neck pickup is weak and buzzing like it's split. Otherwise sounds GREAT with that JB in the bridge plays very well and is rock solid on tuning.
Photos

 

[Adieu]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That is very cool... how much did you pay?

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

So, is it RG565? Is it USA Custom?

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

That is very cool... how much did you pay?

Lets put it this way paid less for her than the price of a new JB on ebay so :fest6:---.
As of now plays really nice but have to address that buzz in the neck pickup before I can play it out. Have a few parts incoming and am working on some of my other gear right now so will update on her when I get back too it.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

Lets put it this way paid less for her than the price of a new JB on ebay so :fest6:---.
As of now plays really nice but have to address that buzz in the neck pickup before I can play it out. Have a few parts incoming and am working on some of my other gear right now so will update on her when I get back too it.

Buzz in the neck pickup?
That guitar is junk then...just send it to me and I’ll dispose of it for you. [emoji846]

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

Lets put it this way paid less for her than the price of a new JB on ebay so :fest6:---.
As of now plays really nice but have to address that buzz in the neck pickup before I can play it out. Have a few parts incoming and am working on some of my other gear right now so will update on her when I get back too it.

dang Bro!! SCORE!!!!

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

The OP choosing to not remove the neck to see what's in the neck pocket makes me more convinced that it IS and RG565, not a USA Custom.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Unexpected NGD CHEAP!

The OP choosing to not remove the neck to see what's in the neck pocket makes me more convinced that it IS and RG565, not a USA Custom.

Really don't care which one it is so not pulling the neck just for YOU.
Got other things to worry about so not OCD on what this really is enough to tear it down just to check and see if the writing is still in the neck pocket or not. Body has been refinished so it's pretty likely what was in the neck pocket is long gone anyway after the refinish.
Found some minor runs in the finish when I did the final clean up and detailing so tells me this is not a factory finish. It was a good refinish and those wide stripes on the front are done in a Black metallic paint not tape BTW.
Frankly can care less at this point what the body is just know it's kinda quirky cool looking and a fun guitar to play that likely is gonna hang round for a while.