Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection Road Flare Red

What we say:

The Ibanez RG is one of the most iconic and defining ‘Superstrat’ styles of guitar in existence: indeed, this late 80s design, taken from Steve Vai’s original JEM guitar, has played a large part in the ubiquity of this type of shred machine ever since.

This model, the 550, is part of Ibanez’s Japanese made Genesis range, offering higher production standards and excellent hardware quality. It is also a direct reissue of one of the first legendary RG models. For technical players, an Ibanez RG550 is a thing of myth!

This model typifies the RG with its sharper double cutaway body, pointed headstock and super thin Wizard HP neck. The Maple fingerboard has 24 Jumbo frets and simple dot inlays, something we are glad to see. These days, this is a classic design and we don’t want it messed with!

The RG550 reissue is available in a series of suitably loud finishes, this being Road Flare Red. The matching headstock is a nice touch, too. This is a shredder’s paradise!

Ibanez have gone for their own Vintage pickups, just like the 1987 originals. Arranged in an H-S-H configuration, these units (a V7, an S1 and a V8) actually cover a lot of ground: sonically you can achieve far more than shred tones!

Build quality is typically excellent and if you’re looking for a performance guitar with a degree of provenance about it, the RG550 has you more than covered.