Opinions... Ibanez RG550 Genesis or Prestige ??

[ElectricVoodoo]

So Ive been seriously considering an Ibanez, especially since getting into more Vai lately, and never owning one. The higher end ones Ive played and liked.

I've decided that a Jem is out since I do not want another sig guitar, and the 550's look awesome.

Sight unseen, and to those who may have played them, what would you guys go with??

A prestige model is at $1399.00
550 Genesis is $999.00

550 does not come with case/gig bag.
Has Ibanez PU's, which actually sound pretty good imo.

Some other differences, but these def keep the price down.

I think it may be worth spending the xtra 3-4 hundred on the prestige.

Quality cannot be that different eh??? Both Japanese made.

Thoughts ??

Merry Christmas btw !!!

 

[napalmdeath]

I'd spend the extra to get a case, and better pickups. I think the 550's pickups suck, always have.

 

[Pwurst67]

I’d say go with a j custom if your going upper end Ibanez , mine is on the same level as my suhr modern..

 

[splawner]

I have an RG 550 Genesis and really dig it...quality is awesome for the money... I didn’t like the stock pups thou...I changed them out with the Duncan Black Winter set and it sounds Killer! Oh and I played both and there was zero difference only price!!

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Great to hear that. I'm kinda leaning on the 550 genesis also. I'll see how long I can bear with the stock PU's.
Everyone else I've asked seems to agree with the quality being in par with prestige line.

Regarding the J Custom..those look beautiful. Same 3k price tag as the Jem7V. I don't know if right now I should be.dropping 3k. lol

 

[splawner]

Great to hear that. I'm kinda leaning on the 550 genesis also. I'll see how long I can bear with the stock PU's.
Everyone else I've asked seems to agree with the quality being in par with prestige line.

Regarding the J Custom..those look beautiful. Same 3k price tag as the Jem7V. I don't know if right now I should be.dropping 3k. lol

Ya the stock pups are good...there like a Dimarzio style...I’m just not a Dimarzio fan...but as far as the same quality as the prestige it’s the same as I played both in the store...

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

That says alot.
I guess they don't put it in the prestige category due to components?? On their site, it falls between the premium and prestige models. Listing order

Looks like that's what I'll get.
Thanks !!!!

 

[Pwurst67]

Great to hear that. I'm kinda leaning on the 550 genesis also. I'll see how long I can bear with the stock PU's.
Everyone else I've asked seems to agree with the quality being in par with prestige line.

Regarding the J Custom..those look beautiful. Same 3k price tag as the Jem7V. I don't know if right now I should be.dropping 3k. lol

I have a j custom for less than half of the 3grand price if your interested in going that route Lol

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Have any pics?
Did you list it in the classifieds here?

 

[Pwurst67]

Have any pics?
Did you list it in the classifieds here?

A couple weeks ago I did. I had it listed for trade for other guitars , I do have pics that I can pm you if your interested

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

I have an RG 550 Genesis and really dig it...quality is awesome for the money... I didn’t like the stock pups thou...I changed them out with the Duncan Black Winter set and it sounds Killer! Oh and I played both and there was zero difference only price!!

Just put $$ on this same one today. They had one in Red and it played great. Thanks for the info !!!

 

[splawner]

I have an RG 550 Genesis and really dig it...quality is awesome for the money... I didn’t like the stock pups thou...I changed them out with the Duncan Black Winter set and it sounds Killer! Oh and I played both and there was zero difference only price!!

Just put $$ on this same one today. They had one in Red and it played great. Thanks for the info !!!

Cool...There great!!

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

So I picked up the RG550 genesis..
Love it! Hidden jem for sure. Really an amazing guitar.
This is just the RG into the code. No fx. Straight in.
Thanks for the recommendation Splawner!

 

[firejack]

So I picked up the RG550 genesis..
Love it! Hidden jem for sure. Really an amazing guitar.
This is just the RG into the code. No fx. Straight in.
Thanks for the recommendation Splawner!

Nice one! Great guitars. I made the mistake of trying a couple 2018 Ibanez Prestiges in a store and found that Ibanez were doing something very right in 2018. I bought 2 Prestige and 2 Genesis models. All great sounding and playing guitars. Top notch quality. They bumped my Charvel Custom Shop Koa and my PRS Dustie Waring Sig out the door. The Super Wizard neck profile feels eerily similar to my beloved but lost 1990 RG550. And the revival of the Edge trem!!! Huge win. The Edge surpasses the German Floyd and Gotoh Floyd for me.

No difference in quality between the Prestige and the Genesis line. Only difference in price equates to the Prestige models coming with a hard case and Dimarzio pickups. I've blocked the trems with brass trem-stoppers, and I'm currently waiting for some Motor City Pickups to arrive for the two Prestige's (RG652BG & RG657MSK). The two RG550's both have Jim Wagner IronMan humbuckers with Jim's SR Single-Coils in the middle.

 

[Chris6870]

Perfect timing for this, I have a white RG550 incoming.

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

That's awesome to hear.
I went back n forth between the 550 and the prestige as well. Those white PU'S look great on your white 550 !!!

This whole Ibanez thing started fir me when I saw Vai on the Gen axe tour 2 months ago. Lol

I am pretty certain that I am getting another 550 this yesr for sure. Great guitars

I agree 100%...The original edge > HFR
I have zero complaints on this guitar.

 

[firejack]

Perfect timing for this, I have a white RG550 incoming.

Fine choice sir!

That's awesome to hear.
I went back n forth between the 550 and the prestige as well. Those white PU'S look great on your white 550 !!!

This whole Ibanez thing started fir me when I saw Vai on the Gen axe tour 2 months ago. Lol

I am pretty certain that I am getting another 550 this yesr for sure. Great guitars

I agree 100%...The original edge > HFR
I have zero complaints on this guitar.

Yeah man the Tuxedo look is great on an RG. Another thing I forgot to mention that differs between the Genesis and the Prestiges is the heel joint. The Prestige edges are rounded off, whereas the Genesis has square edges.
What color are you considering for your next RG?

 

[jemplayer]

Just goes to show that you can not go wrong with a Japanese made Ibanez!