What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Although everything you said was something to look out for, you were a pretty hard 'no' without even seeing as much as a picture. That's pretty assumptive to me. I've held a fair amount of old RG550's and the biggest one I see is the crack on the back, but it is usually nothing to worry about. Never seen the fretboard issue, especially with maple, and again with the trem, I've seen a lot more rusty floyds than Edges. Like I said, all great things to look out for however.
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Cause when buying a guitar, I use my head, not emotion. Why would I pay 450 dollars for a 27 year old relic, which in most cases, is in a battered condition? Come on, are you expecting a pristine condition from this guitar? It's possible but not probable. Don't delude yourself.

And please don't tell me the dude wouldn't be better off spending that 450 bucks on Indonesian/ Chinese/ Korean Ibanez of recent years. Come on, really?

As for your case, to me, a crack is a crack, it doesn't matter whether you cherish it or worry about it. It's a crack. A damage. We definitely have different standards in guitars.
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Kamanda~SD said:
I've held a fair amount of old RG550's and the biggest one I see is the crack on the back, but it is usually nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...

If you haven't seen a crack behind the nut, then you haven't spent enough time with old RG550 (and any model with similar installation method).
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

I love old 550's from 87-93 only, and thats because of the square heel and original edge and Wizard 1 neck, and its the original version of the RG and it really is a legendary guitar, and most certainly worth its value in parts and then some really.

Ive been leaning more toward Kramers, but I generally try to have atleast one example of each of my fav companies (from 1983-1995-ish are the years I like for all companies really), just cause Im a weirdo like that, and when it comes to that era for Ibanez, the 550,565,770DX, and of course the JEM are really awesome guitars and stand alone and represent their respective company quite well, especially in the shred guitar category.

Neck pocket finish cracks and rear nut cracks are areas quite common for most guitars of that era and most times isnt much to worry about, but obviously youd want to inquire about all that no matter what youre planning on buying.

Honestly in my opinion as long as theyre cared for, those older guitars are generally built better and are better equipped stock and they hold their own for sure. Plus they cost a fair bit of money, even for back then...Youd have to spend $1,500 in todays money to get what you could for $800 say back then. I know inflation is an obvious factor, but still...plus guys dont want those older guitars because they may or may not need work, so its a literal candy store for guy who are into that shiznit..

I love the hunt and I love tearingnthem down and rebuilding them, so its just goes with the territory for me and many others.
This was way longer than I planned, I apologize. Haha!
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Wanted an RG550 since I played one when they were first released (yeah I'm that old) This one came up on a local auction site and I jumped on it (I tried to call my wife to talk me out of it but she didn't answer so I took that as a sign) It has the usual cracks and bumps but that just makes me like it more (wouldn't trade it for any Chinese Ibanez)

18926613_1159181330853083_496593224_o.jpg
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Ayrton said:
LOL, to the OP that guitar was about 30 min north of me and I missed it too.

However, to drive home the point, I picked this up last night.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-RG55...2Bc6mVA%2BkP%2BQ1jjKY%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Click to expand...

Nice! You post gave me an epiphany, and the fact that people in this post said the black ones were most common and can be had cheaper, maybe I should get a black one and paint it Heather Pearl...or a similar color. I kind of have a hankering for a project....like I have SO much time for a project :rolleyes:
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Obsessive Compulsive said:
Cause when buying a guitar, I use my head, not emotion. Why would I pay 450 dollars for a 27 year old relic, which in most cases, is in a battered condition? Come on, are you expecting a pristine condition from this guitar? It's possible but not probable. Don't delude yourself.

And please don't tell me the dude wouldn't be better off spending that 450 bucks on Indonesian/ Chinese/ Korean Ibanez of recent years. Come on, really?

As for your case, to me, a crack is a crack, it doesn't matter whether you cherish it or worry about it. It's a crack. A damage. We definitely have different standards in guitars.
Click to expand...

Look man, all I said was I disagreed with you, no need to get your heart rate up over this. But to answer your questions:

- I said nothing about expecting pristine or anything other than need to see some pictures
- Depending on condition (again) I DO think the Fujigen Ibanez' from that era are better than modern ones in the $450 range. I've played alot of those as I used to sell them, and yes, I would. I also prefer the thinner necks on the Ibbys so there's a little preference there as well.
- Yes, a crack is a crack, but there are varying degrees to how it affects the instrument.

Obsessive Compulsive said:
If you haven't seen a crack behind the nut, then you haven't spent enough time with old RG550 (and any model with similar installation method).
Click to expand...

I said nothing of the sort, the opposite actually.

-----
Anyways, seems like there's lots of happy (and new) RG550 owners here...make sure to post your new beauties in the Ibanez picture thread!
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

I don't get all this craze about early 90s RG550. What's so special about that compared to the newer ones? Same wood, same hardware, same pickups, same manufacturer (Fujigen).

It's not like vintage 50s Strat that's different from todays American Standard. Yeah some people with petit hand thank the 1mm difference at the last fret (52mm vs 53mm?), which I am not even sure it actually exists.


The 550 was still made as late as 2001; and there is the 'reissue' 1xxxx series, the 1550 and 1570; and if you want fancy cosmetics, the 2550 and up.

In fact, in 2013 Ibanez released the reissue (Genesis Collection), which I have, and it's just okay guitar; nothing spectacular. Why not get those? Even if it's not released worldwide.

And if you are fond of rosewood, get the RG655, same original Edge, Dimarzio pickups, plush hardcase.

Save yourself of all the troubles; unless neck crack and chipped paint (relic) are the attractive selling points...LOL.
 
Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

metalchurch79 said:
I love old 550's from 87-93 only, and thats because of the square heel and original edge and Wizard 1 neck, and its the original version of the RG and it really is a legendary guitar, and most certainly worth its value in parts and then some really.

Ive been leaning more toward Kramers, but I generally try to have atleast one example of each of my fav companies (from 1983-1995-ish are the years I like for all companies really), just cause Im a weirdo like that, and when it comes to that era for Ibanez, the 550,565,770DX, and of course the JEM are really awesome guitars and stand alone and represent their respective company quite well, especially in the shred guitar category.

Neck pocket finish cracks and rear nut cracks are areas quite common for most guitars of that era and most times isnt much to worry about, but obviously youd want to inquire about all that no matter what youre planning on buying.

Honestly in my opinion as long as theyre cared for, those older guitars are generally built better and are better equipped stock and they hold their own for sure. Plus they cost a fair bit of money, even for back then...Youd have to spend $1,500 in todays money to get what you could for $800 say back then. I know inflation is an obvious factor, but still...plus guys dont want those older guitars because they may or may not need work, so its a literal candy store for guy who are into that shiznit..

I love the hunt and I love tearingnthem down and rebuilding them, so its just goes with the territory for me and many others.
This was way longer than I planned, I apologize. Haha!
Click to expand...

Pretty much "what he said". I'll take an old one parts, project or whole if the price is right.
 

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Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

Obsessive Compulsive said:
I don't get all this craze about early 90s RG550. What's so special about that compared to the newer ones? Same wood, same hardware, same pickups, same manufacturer (Fujigen).

It's not like vintage 50s Strat that's different from todays American Standard. Yeah some people with petit hand thank the 1mm difference at the last fret (52mm vs 53mm?), which I am not even sure it actually exists.


The 550 was still made as late as 2001; and there is the 'reissue' 1xxxx series, the 1550 and 1570; and if you want fancy cosmetics, the 2550 and up.

In fact, in 2013 Ibanez released the reissue (Genesis Collection), which I have, and it's just okay guitar; nothing spectacular. Why not get those? Even if it's not released worldwide.

And if you are fond of rosewood, get the RG655, same original Edge, Dimarzio pickups, plush hardcase.

Save yourself of all the troubles; unless neck crack and chipped paint (relic) are the attractive selling points...LOL.
Click to expand...

Well, if you can get one of the newer models you mention in Heather Pearl for under $400 then you're right. You're making more of this than need be. I'm just looking for a guitar that I can take to a gig and not have to worry about losing over $1000 buck if it gets stolen ir otherwise ruined.
 
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Re: What's a good price for a 1990 RG550?

I like the newer reissues but the specs are tweaked alot and if you get down to it, they really are different feeling guitars. The necks are wider and fatter and multi piece, which helps with strength and all that, so its really an upgrade of all things, however for the purists like me an others, theres really nothing like an original one. Same correlation with say an old Ford Mustang vs a new one, for example, etc.., etc..
Really its all in what youre looking for because theyre all solid guitars when you get down to it.
 
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