If you survived the whole video, I appreciate you watching! Note the intro song was recorded with the Genesis as well!

The RG550 is a masterpiece of a guitar

I bought a Genesis 550 in Purple Neon last spring and hands down, it's one of the best guitars I ever owned. I couldn't believe I just basically got a Prestige-like MIJ Ibanez for less than 1k euros. Unbelievable, I fear the Ibanez RG addiction is pulling me down now into the deep world of finishes, neck profiles and trem systems 😂 When they announced the new RG565 Genesis I knew it's going to happen again in 2021, I can't wait for those.

Great video. I'm 52 (in 2022), and the RG550 was always my dream guitar as a teen in the 80s. Had several magazine ads from Guitar for the Practicing Musician mag torn out on my wall. I've been blessed to own and restore many of these '87-'92 RG550s over the years. Getting ready to do another '91 I just picked up. I LOVE the V/S pickups. Probably best in-house pickups I've ever played. Thanks for sharing the video history!

I have an RG550 from the year 2000 and it's the best guitar I have ever laid my hands on, I still find myself just starring at it from time to time cause of how beautiful it is.

Awesome run down and history lesson! The Genesis is 🔥.

Hey great video! Keep em coming, love the intro!

This video is amazing. Just ordered a yellow one, back ordered for a few months. Worth the wait! Thanks for the great detailed video. 🤘🏻

Great video! Very in-depth. Love it!

Dude, that intro was freaking killer! Love the guitars as well, I have a 1991 rg550 and a genesis.

This video still has waaaay to few views. This is the best video I ever saw in the 550 history topic. Congrats, again, and thank you!

Great information on the transitions between the models. Awesome playing at the beginning. I own a 2020 purple genesis model which is great.

In my icon is my 1987 RG550 I also have it in the original case which contains a manual that details the proper way to adjust the floyd rose and a set of all the tools needed to fine tune this instrument ❤❤❤

First REAL review of any Genesis that I've seen. Lots of good info. You've changed my opinion for the better.

Great work sir! Really appreciate all the genesis introduction!

Awesome video!! So glad you made this. I just bought one in purple neon

Great playing and exhaustive description of the RG550, thank you!

Loved the video, very informative. I would like to see you post more videos to KZfaq in the future if you have time. Cheers

hey man, been following this channel for more than 10 years, nice to see you`re still making videos !

Epic intro mate! This guitar is currently top of my list.

Love that intro show 🤘😎 I had the pleasure/pain of playing and falling in love with the original RG550. I was young and knew my mom couldn’t afford it 😢

Brilliant video mate, vey informative, and amazing guitars

Thanks for making this, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the whole video. I got an RG550 last year and wanted more info. Might be the most informative RG550 video on KZfaq.

Waiting for my purple neon to arrive. Great video!

Great information, thank you very much. I bought an RG655 recently and it's rendered all my other guitars obsolete! Now I am hankering after more 550-style goodness. You have an amazing collection, thanks for sharing.

Fantastic video and channel. Huge Ibanez fan here. So happy I discovered your channel. Subscribed!

It's cool seeing this video! Great to see a buddy of mine that is still hard in the grind with music. I still remember those years ago playing your blue 550 when you were part of the Dragonforce tour back in 2012 with my brother in minnesota. You gave me some of the best advice and humbling experience not only as a fan but as a fellow player. I'm glad to see you still going strong and this video will definitely be a good reference when it comes to comparing a genuine 550's to the genesis, hell even some current prestiges'. good job man! ALSO! If you still play overwatch or any other game and still need a buddy, I'm here man! Greetings from an old friend (or acquaintance) and fan!

Had the RG550 in desert yellow 💛 back in the early 90's, loved that guitar. I ran across hard times and had to sell it. I've regretted it ever sence... I will be picking up the newest 550 in yellow after watching your video. It all takes me back, thanks bro!!

this is my favorite guitar, cool to see the history behind it. glad i stumbled across it

5:23 the issue is not the scarf joint, it's the screws going through the neck. Apart from that great video!

I was restringing a 93 rg550 last week and fell in love with that guitar. Got to get one for myself!

Huge thanks for this review! I've watched dozens of reviews, but all they in sum gave less than this one. My 550 DY is being transported to me, and I'm counting days.

Awesome review. For far the best review that I have seen. I just bought one and I am in love with it. I like it more than my old RG 550 1992. For me the Ibanez RG 550 is the best guitar ever made. I also bought a pair of Dimarzio pickups (Tone zone and Paf Pro) to put in but now I am not sure as I actually really like the sound of these V7 & V8 pickups. I might install them in my old RG 550 or my Ibanez RT.

Great video. You're really good at this. Two thumbs up 👍👍

Awesome content, hope to see more!

Thanks for this amazing video.⭐️ Very informative and nice playing. Just got a brand new lefty one and this guitar feels and plays awesome! And moreover it stays in tune.🤘

Love this! Fire video 🔥

Fantastic detailed video.. and a great guitar!

I had an OG 550 Neon Purple, from 1992 and I miss it dearly.

This channel is a JEM. Good stuff man

Thanks for doing this video, man!!

Great video. Thanks for making this!

Great intro playing! Took me back!

Great video, man! Ordered a white yesterday

thank you for the detail. i've just bought the RFR RG550 2021, Cheers!

I have this exact same guitar in road flare red and it has become my work horse. It's a stellar guitar and I recommend it to anyone. Really want to get the yellow one so I have more than one. Great video as well 🤙🏽

Very much enjoyed the video. I want to add an Ibanez to my small collection (4) but not sure which one to get. These look awesome and from all I've watched on them, people are pretty happy with them. The only guitar I have with a tremelo is a Strat so thought I'd get something I could try dive bombing on.

I knew you looked familiar! We saw you in Anaheim open for Gus g along with Andy James at the house of blues. You guys kicked ass and I do remember you standing out for playing that yellow rg which was badass! Awesome video man, you covered all bases! My Ibanez genesis is probably my favorite guitar. it plays itself really. Just am changing the pickups to evo's and a true velvet in the middle and it should be good to go for me. Thanks for the review vid!

My '88 RG570 has a matching headstock paint and no cracks in the neck.

I do happen to have a '91 RG 565, has the neck crack issue you described... I also had all 24 frets scalloped, and replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan "Pearly Gates" (neck pickup unconfirmed). Not selling, just saying (wish I could share pics on KZfaq) Currently have an RG Genesis series on back order. Great vid, very informative with some great history!

Best guitar video I have ever seen!

Nice in depth look into the Ibanez Genesis RG550👍🏻👍🏻🤓

Hey man, I gotta say recently I got my hands on a Ibanez RG470 from 2001 MIJ. The neck was smooth as butter!

i had not one but two RG550's back in the 90's, great freakin' guitars!

I found a white genesis in a local pawn shop that the previous owner modded. They swapped the pickups with the hyperion pickups out of an Ibanez AZ (wish they used the swithching system as well but just the pups), installed a brass block on the tremolo, Installed a tremolo stopper to make it a down only setup. It's a fantastic guitar that I love so much, I just ordered another genesis in desert yellow. I've been shying away from the wizard neck for almost 25 years but dang, it just feels right! My other brand guitars are in trouble.

Love Ibanez guitars, have owned several and never disappointed, great guitars. My favorite.

Dude, i would love to see you testing a Yamaha YG621 MR, it's a guitar no one talks about and it's just killer. it was only available between 1992 and 1993. thanks for your work!

Hi, you're doing great job for Ibanez. After a years-long hiatus, I was thinking about buying a new guitar last winter. I was going through Steve Vai's solo discography and promised myself I would never buy an Ibanez (I really can't stand the guy, and obviously I've always associated Mr. Vai with Ibanez). Anyway, I was contemplating Charvel DK24, saw your review of it, which was excellent. So when KZfaq suggested your RG550-review, I gave it chance too, and you practically sold me this guitar. I finally got myself one last week and I've been madly in love with it ever since. Never been this happy playing any instrument, and I started playing in 2003. All those wasted years... My brother visited me yesterday to try this thing and INSTANTLY made a decision to get one ASAP. So I guess there are two new Ibanez guys in Finland, thanks to you!

Best review of the genesis so far

i actually had a 550 when i was a senior in high school. One of the nicest guitars i ever owned

What a great vid!

nice set in the back. the 77FP and jpm p1/p3 particularly (and the uv7bk!)

Nice great playing,I got the Genesis 570 in black..basically the same guitar.

Wow VERY in depth review from a guy who got his hands dirty so to speak. I have a 1990 S540 with several issues. On the one hand i would like to get a vintage Japan RG but i would have to order it unseen. And like you said there's a lot that can go wrong with them. OTOH the web shops in Europe don't have the Genesis RG's in stock, you're looking at 4 to 5 weeks waiting easily. Maybe the Suez Canal lockdown?

I don't own a single ibanez, but love the guitar vids

What an awesome video.Thanks

Awesome!!! I'm finally getting one too!!!

i had a vintage RG-550 MIG. Rare Blue paints. With few normal scratches ,but boy!! the Quality of Sounds has its own world.. you can play solid rock, metal,slow rock & even mellow love songs that nèed sweet clean deep quality tone.

I had this exact guitar, I almost cry to see it. I got a 770dx and a JS100 but, miss this one so much.

I have a late 80’s Purple RG 570 and in 2020 I got the NP RG 550 and this RG 550 is true craftsmanship!#🎸🤘🏻🔥#Ibanez#RG550

What an excellent video of the history of the Ibanez RG 550. I own several myself, and my favorite is the updated 2018 Genesis series (Desert Yellow of course!) Also in my humble opinion the original Ibanez Edge Tremelo is King! I have other RG's with Edge III, Low Pro and Zero Point II Tremelo's, but still the original Ibanez edge tremelo is the best by far.

Thx for sharing, Alex. I have an ‘89 RG in RF red with the black headstock. Just recently, it’s been having tuning stability issues. Can’t get thru a song now without going out of tune. Is a bit of a head scratcher and not sure what to do with it. But having 100’s of hrs on it, it’s been a great guitar. So thinking of getting the a new Genisus model and just seeing if I can eventually figure out the stability issue with my RG. Thx again for posting. Convinced me to which route I’m going to go with and that’s to stay with the “RG” line. 👍🏽

i love mine ! awesome info.

After owning one of these for about a month now I can honestly say it's not hype, these are exceptional guitars. I have no space for guitars I like, only guitars I love and I've fallen in love this guitar. The fret ends are a little rough I'll admit and for me the heel could have been smoother but overall this guitar plays like a dream. The Super Wizard neck gives it a unique feel that makes it special. Any other guitars I've been this impressed with were at least double the price. At roughly a thousand bucks this is a great deal.

This is the guitar I should have bought two years ago. Ended up getting a MIJ Tokai. Got money ready for an RG550 this year though.

Thanks for the detailed discussion on RG550...your playing is very good as well...I bought a genesis RG550 last week...pretty happy with the guitar...buy before buying this guitar I read not very good things about the V pickups...but after playing the guitar I find V7 exactly voiced like air norton and v8 like tone zone..although tone zone has a little bit more low frequency.... So my question is should I keep the pickups as stock in RG550 as I am into several genres like blues, rock, rock and roll, etc. The pickups feel really after market and great...

holy sh!t every guitar on his back wall is my dream guitar.

I think is good they don't come with the case because that makes them more affordable. You could have already a case or buy it later as I did. Great Guitar!

I used to own a 89 RG 550 DY with a black headstock. Personally I liked the tones I could get out of the factory pickups because it made the guitar far more versatile when playing cover songs of that time that didn't require a thicker tone.

This is like my third time watching this. Someone convince my wife this is a necessity.

I bought RG550, after returning RG5120 due to it's heavy weight, because of it's mohagony body in that RG shape. I loved it! When is the RG565 video?? :)

Plz do full collection video for us Ibanez freaks !!

I have yellow one 2021 and its great sound n playability are very good

I just bought one and received it a few days ago. This thing is so amazing! It is definitely my favorite guitar I have. Now I'm selling my poopie 470DX LMAO! Thanks for the vid. I bought the limited issue matching strap from across the globe and I will not say how much that cost me because it was ridiculous but it is a perfect match Ibanez sling for the guitar you and I have in the yellow so I had to get it =D

I got a DY 550 this week and I think the tilt neck would have been better if moved down one fret to the 17th fret like the JS24 guitars. Those have it join at 17 and those last 2 frets are so much easier to reach. I know this would not have been accurate to the original RG but would have been a nice update while still maintaining the aesthetic. Just an opinion. Mine had zero defects and the frets are all good. I did need to fret polish as its manufacture date is December 22 but no matter its part of a restring anyway for me.

Hi thank you so much for this video it's been so helpful , Quick question , Can 1997-2002's have not matching head's color?

Had an original 91 RG570 in purple neon, really regret selling that. Bought an RG655M in dark purple because it felt like a modern version of the RG550 with Tone Zones, went crazy when the Genesis series came to the US. Bought a DY RG550 as soon as they were announced, worth the wait. Currently super psyched for the new Japanese RG565's coming out soon. It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

I love your guitars nice ibanez collection

Actually the 2007 anniversary RG550XX doesn’t have a volute. It is a 5 piece maple and walnut, and no scarf joint. The locking nut also doesn’t bolt through the back or the neck. They introduced that on the RG550 genesis line. I own the Road-flare Red RG550XX 20th anniversary. Loved this video overall and love me some Ibby shredders.

I noticed the same thing about the consistency of the new ones too

Thanks very much for this awesome review and history sharing Alex. Great work. Do you share your AxeFx3 presets anywhere if i may ask? They sounds really good and raw without excessive effects like many out there.

I remember when I would change the reigon on the website to see what other countries got. Sometimes I'd be jealous

Hey man I’m looking at a gator titan series or an enki for my rg 550 genesis and it’s just for home use but I live in an area where it’s wildly cold winter and hot and humid summers... I just wanna get the best one possible to give the instrument the longest life. Is the enki weatherproof sealed ? I would really appreciate your opinion. Also I really enjoyed this video tons of rich history. Thanks in advance if you get to this !!!

Thank you thank you It is because of THIS video. Why I am buying a Ibanez RG 550. I absolutely love Ibanez I'm a guitar and a bass player. But haven't ever really considered an rg550 have no idea why. Waiting for zzsounds to get restocked on this guitar. Then I am ordering the purple neon one. Thanks for such an inspirational history/review Of the RG550. I became a subscriber because of this video!!!

Fantastic playing and sound! Could you please tell me how to dial the solo sound? I have 2 RG550 guitars. An RG550 2002 model with maple fretboard loaded with Dimarzio Evolution pickups... It doesn't deliver this character at all... I also have an RG550XX 2007 20th anniversary model with rosewood fretboard, loaded with Dimarzio Air Norton and Dimarzio Steve Special... These guitars delivers Petrucci's sound but I'm looking for this vintage, rough sound like you nailed... Are V7, V8, S1 stock pickups loaded in your guitar? What's your signal chain? Did you use double tracking at recording? Thanks bro!

this is without a doubt best guitar video on the internet. yes, i am also a ibanez nerd and i do have a complaint (missing out on a 1550 series) but other than that the whole video is sublime. thank you!

I have a 2001 Sangria Red 550 with a tilt neck joint,no bubinga stripe and v1 v2 pups,pretty rare color too

sick song love the vibrato

Have a ‘23 neon purple genesis, it’s a great guitar! ,I had an ‘87 rg550 that I got used in 1990 for $150!! It was supposed to be red,but that guitar was pink and I sold it around ‘98., and scored a blue rg450, I think it was..it had the lo-trs trem. I tried to like other brands, but Ibanez always wins with me., I have 2 rgt42’s from 2002 - ‘05. , mik, those earlier neck through rg’s were built great, but the bridges and pickups are lacking, project time finally? Not sure, I’m picking up a prestige rg5120 , frozen ocean, tomorrow afternoon!!

I was wondering if you by chance have a JS1000? I bought the last one in Texas before they were disco's, i got the white model. I wish I had known how rare they were back then, I paid $750. out the door for mine and really wish I had kept it. I sold mine after the second string broke at a gig, I didnt realize how much time it took to restring the Floyds. I am looking at getting an RG550 now. Im no longer gigging so breaking strings arent a big deal like when you bust a string on stage.