Unexpected NGD - RG550 Desert Sun Yellow

UnderTheFlame83

UnderTheFlame83

New member
This morning on Facebook Marketplace I came across a 2021 Desert Sun Yellow Ibanez RG550. The asking price with Ibanez case was $750. The guitar was a gift and apparently his wife ordered the wrong color. Dude wanted Road Flare Red but got Desert Sun Yellow, or more like it highlighter yellow. The listing said like new never played. He probably could've just sent this one back and waited on the other, but he decided to just sell it. Turns out I know a couple of his buddies from past bands. Most the day I have been talking with him and made him an offer of $500. To my disbelief he said yes and come get it when you can. So, I practically ran to the bank to withdraw some cash. Met up a few hours ago and plugged it up straight into his 6505 with Mesa cab. Oh yes it was brand new alright and so was the case. Not a scratch anywhere. Pristine. I asked if he was sure $500 was ok for this? "Yep, it's yours if you want it", he said.

I was going to order this guitar in Purple Neon, and still might, but after playing this and seeing how awesome it looks in person, I got it. I'm totally in shock that I finally got this amazing instrument.

VB5vrtGJug-zpVE_mZS-RMBjUrWlyJQlMW6ddvgY9Wo.jpg :1:
 
Happy NGD

(...and I don't ever want to be in the desert they modelled that colour after. Nothing wrong with the colour itself but that would not be healthy.)
 
As for the feel of the neck it is just like a Prestige Wizard and not Super Wizard thin. Almost feels like your playing on a neck thru. The titled heel joint is pretty nice. I have a few bolt ons LTDs that are kinda similar at the heel, but the Genesis design I do like better. No problems with upper fret access for me.
 
I like this guitar so much that I am getting the Neon Purple. I know I'll never find a deal as sweet as this one, but I would say for sure it is worth what they sell for new. The pickups are very, very nice. I don't think I will change them. Maybe on the Purple Neon. Ibanez could probably sell these with case for $1200 easily if they wanted. The improvements I can think of I would like to see on this model is stainless steel frets and neck thru. It wouldn't be a RG550 if they did that, though. As is, it's killer.
 
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UnderTheFlame83 said:
I like this guitar so much that I am getting the Neon Purple. I know I'll never find a deal as sweet as this one, but I would say for sure it is worth what they sell for new. The pickups are very, very nice. I don't think I will change them. Maybe on the Purple Neon. Ibanez could probably sell these with case for $1200 easily if they wanted. The improvements I can think of I would like to see on this model is stainless steel frets and neck thru. It wouldn't be a RG550 if they did that, though. As is, it's killer.
Click to expand...

At some point in time, we are going to need to see your Ibanez Family Photo!
 
UnderTheFlame83 said:
As for the feel of the neck it is just like a Prestige Wizard and not Super Wizard thin. Almost feels like your playing on a neck thru. The titled heel joint is pretty nice. I have a few bolt ons LTDs that are kinda similar at the heel, but the Genesis design I do like better. No problems with upper fret access for me.
Click to expand...

The heel looks just like what BC Rich used on the Gunslingers. I have a Schecter with the angled heel (front-back) like the LTD's and it's really nice. It would be even better if the neck plate was recessed though.
 
My perfect RG would feature a green and black swirl with perloid shark tooth inlays. Original Floyd Rose, or Edge trem. Basswood satin body with an ebony bound fretboard and neck thru. Genesis neck profile with stainless steel frets. Pretty much similar to my Jackson Red Swirl Soloist but with the 550 Genesis neck and the black Gotoh tuners. Green glow in the dark neck markers. Pickups would possibly be Black Winters. But I'd settle for stock 550 pickups minus the middle single coil.
 
What's the genesis neck profile?

It was the wizardy neck profile that put me off anything RGRG...in fact it put me off anything Ibáñez for quite a while.
 
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