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Prestige quality at a great price!
By: Mike R.
Submitted: 1/6/2024
Product Rating
Product Review
Had an original RG550 back in the day and always wanted to get another one. Seems like all the ones i ran across were either worn-out out or heavily modified. So i figured I'd try the Genesis reissue. Can't really say anything bad about this guitar. Played great right out of the box and sounds fantastic. If you've ever wanted that late 80's Ibanez vibe, this is definately the one.
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A screamer from the past
By: Shawn Crabtree
Submitted: 4/4/2022
5 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Having owned an original one of the from the 80’s, and owning a 20th anniversary as well, I had to try one of the Genesis Series. It does not disappoint! Ibanez nailed this guitar. It feels and rips just like an original plucked from a time machine, only with a couple upgrades. The heel joint is an added bonus for the new model. I’m so glad I was able to get my hands on one these monsters….pretty sure I’m going to Re-up and snag another one.
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Best guitar I own
By: Dieball Robert
Submitted: 2/5/2022
6 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
It showed up in mint condition. The slim neck is so much fun to play on. The frets are great. The action it’s perfect for me. The desert yellow color was worth the weight. Definitely prefer over my Schecter Omen Extreme. Worth every penny m.
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Excellent guitar!
By: Dragon G
Submitted: 11/7/2021
5 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Once again these Ibanez guitars from Japan have not let me down. I've tried ESP Jackson and Charvel. Had to send them all back but luckily when the last one I sent back, this RG550 was finally back in stock :) it's like they say, things happen for a reason!
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Ibanez RG550 is a great Guitar
By: TR in OP
Submitted: 7/6/2021
3 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
I purchased the Neon Purple Ibanez RG550 over 6 months ago. This guitar best value out there. Top notch hardware, a tremolo that is solid and keeps the guitar in tune, and a great setup out of the box. What more could you want. The neon purple is just beautiful to look at. My friends can't believe the cost of such a great guitar. I waited 6 months to write this review so that I would give it a more honest review. If you looking to purchase it and are unsure just do it. You won't be disappointed.
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EXACTLY like the original model to the detail!
By: CHUCK D.
Submitted: 6/17/2021
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I owned this model when it was first released in the 90's. It is exact in EVERY DETAIL to the original. This is a guitar I will collect and keep. It is STILL one of the best single instruments I have ever played, and at $999 for a JAPANESE model guitar, you MUST jump at this. I'm always a little wishy washy with reissue guitars, but Ibanez knocked this out of the park!!! I was thinking of getting a J CUSTOM, but I'm totally stoked with this acquisition, and I'm here to tell you, I'm glad i grabbed the RG550 Genesis! GET IT!!!!
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Get One!
By: AustinPaul
Submitted: 6/2/2021
Product Review
I've owned an original black '87 since'89 and never have stopped loving it. If it's possible, I love my new 2019 RG even more. Why? Two things - I really wanted it in yellow back in the day, but found that fantastic black one and traded a guitar for it. So when Ibanez started making these again (in Japan!), I jumped all over it and got my yellow RG550 finally! I also love the neck. Originals weren't glossy per say, but they were indeed a shiny finished neck. These Super Wizard necks are the stuff! Satin finish and extremely strong 5 piece necks with the volute which makes me feel better about the strength of the neck. Superb looking, playing, and sounding guitar. I dig the stock pickups. They're incredibly versatile. Warm cleans will blow you away,especially in the 2 and 4 pickup setting.
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Plays like a dream!!!
By: Patrick
Submitted: 3/26/2021
3 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
I had an RG 550 back in the 90’s and the new genesis reissue models feel just like they did in the 90’s. Worth every penny!! Try one, you won’t regret it??
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Amazing value for the quality!
By: New_Ibanez_Fan_For_Life
Submitted: 3/4/2021
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
What can be said about a 30+ year old icon? Quality is incredible coming from Japan. It was set up beautifully and in tune right out of the box. You can pick it out of the box and literally start playing. I can tell already this is going to be in my collection for a lifetime. I can't recommend the Genesis RG550 more.
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Perfect craftsmanship, mediocre pickups
By: Jon F.
Submitted: 11/26/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
Let me just say, the hype w/ these made in Japan Ibanez guitars is real. I couldn't find a flaw on the thing. It's just rock solid. The Edge tremolo feels fantastic and is extremely well built - better than even the Gotoh units, which I think are above even the German Floyds. I'd give the Gotoh a slight edge w/ the brass block but everything about the Edge seems beefier and higher quality. The neck's great. Nice and thin and wide. Fret work was perfect. The fingerboard radius is very flat and you'll either love it or it will feel funky to you. Out of the box it played great. Action was maybe a little high but it still played fast and felt good enough that I didn't tweak it. Anyway, the guitar itself is pristine.
The electronics leave a lot to be desired. The pickups just don't do anything for me in any position. They're dull and slightly muddy and I personally just can't make them work. Which is a bummer because, as I said, the rest of the guitar is great. IMO, this guitar can be something you own for life and are extremely proud of. But you're gonna want to swap the pickups out. Looks five, stars. Build, five stars. Tone, meh... 2.5.
All that being said, I still think the guitar is a decent value. Craftsmanship is better than most of the American made guitars I've played. Head and shoulders above my made in the USA SG. If you're in love w/ the looks, and you know what you're getting into w/ the neck shape/profile, pick a set of pickups you love and you'll have a guitar that you can rock til you die.
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Best bang for your buck.
By: Andrew
Submitted: 11/26/2020
Product Review
To get a true Japanese Ibanez at this price point is a steal. This guitar absolutely shreds. It comes set up perfectly out of the box, ready to play. The tremolo has great sustain and stays in tune through whatever abuse you can dish out. And the color...wow. I got the yellow and I can tell you the pictures don’t do it justice. This thing is super bright and clean. It almost seems to glow in the dark. If you want superb Japanese quality but don’t want to put out thousands of dollars this is your guitar. And the AMS payment plans make it even easier to own. Pull the trigger on this one.
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Awesome axe
By: Keith
Submitted: 11/26/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
Nice. Just like in 87. Smooth slick fast maple wizard neck. Purple neon. WOW almost need shades it’s so bright. Pickups are nice n clear action is low edge term stays in tune. All u need to know. Get 1 n get grindin!!!
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Amazing!!!!
By: Chuck Cason
Submitted: 11/6/2020
4 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
This guitar exceeded my expectations. This thing plays unbelievably. Already planning on purchasing another one.
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Great guitar
By: Great guitar
Submitted: 10/12/2020
4 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Love the sound and how the neck feels. Playing clean is. amazing. Metal sounds great to . Just a all around great guitar.
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Good luck finding a better made guitar for this price.
By: Sw
Submitted: 9/1/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
Bought this guitar mainly for nostalgic reasons.
I had one back in 1990.
That I loved.
Got the yellow or I should say safety glow green?
Anyway this is guitar is everything I remember with the exception of the neck.
Precision built guitar.
Spent some time setting up the guitar way I like .
And am just blown away with the quality.
Edge tremolo is still my all time favorite.
Been playing for a week now on it and haven't had tune it but once.
Rg550 is better than ever.
p.s. I bought the minor blemish and have yet to find any flaw.
Very very happy with my purchase.
Pickups are very good and I see no need to change them.
Guitar sounds amazing clean and the volume and tone pots are excellent.
Get one while you can.
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Amazing value for MIJ Ibanez
By: Dr. A
Submitted: 8/15/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
This is one of the best playing guitars I've ever had my hands on. $1k for a MIJ Ibanez is a steal. The neck is thin and has a great satin finish that feels very soft in hand. The frets are well polished and the fretboard is perfect. The setup was great right out of the box as far as I can tell; low action with no noticeable fret buzz and intonation was right on. The Edge tremolo feels incredibly smooth and flutters better than any other tremolo system I've tried. The pickups sound good. The purple neon finish looks so cool, shifting between a reddish-pink and deep purple depending on how the light hits it. The maple fretboard looks great contrasting with the black hardware and purple finish.
If I were to nitpick, the fret edges are a little bit less rounded off than my Ibanez Prestige from 2000, but it has not really bothered me at all when I am playing. Also, the neck pocket on mine arrived with some small hairline finish cracks on either side, but AMS made things right for me immediately after I contacted them about it.
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This guitar is the cream of the crop, the best i've ever played
By: Antman
Submitted: 5/10/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
Im an amateur guitarist, intermediate skill level. mostly play metal (metallica, pantera, slayer) This guitar is a beast. all my other guitars have costed 200-500, the price tag on this is completely justifiable after playing it. The pickups are hot, im not swapping them. sustain, oh yeah, they shred. The neck is like butter. I mean every riff or chop or solo I could think of just felt so much easier to play. By a long shot. Stays in tune after a divebomb and also gotoh hardware (this is a legendary guitar with a legendary trem system Ibanez edge is the bees knees yo) This is the most kickass guitar I've ever laid my hands on, its like a religious experience for real
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Playability and Attention to Detail
By: Alan M
Submitted: 3/30/2020
Product Review
This was my first Ibanez guitar. Being a primarily Gibson and Fender guy I was hesitant at first to order this guitar. I was very pleased the day I received my RG550, it was in perfect condition and the setup was perfect. This is one of the easiest playing guitars I’ve ever had the privilege to play. I found myself wondering, “Why didn’t I buy one of these years ago?”
This guitar sounds great, the Edge Tremolo is a great unit, it plays amazing and I played it so much the pickguard is all scratched up like all my other long time players.
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This guitar is a STEAL for the money...
By: Willie
Submitted: 3/21/2020
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I’ve had really really nice expensive guitars, but this one is so good an versatile and it’s $999??? Stock pickups are great! Needs some fret leveling but can deal with that. The Edge trem is way better than any Floyd Rose 1000 that is on everything under $1000. Stays in tune pretty good. Can’t complain, and those colors!!?? Road Flare Red is to die for.
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Superb Crafstmanship
By: Frank
Submitted: 11/26/2019
Product Review
MIJ Ibanez Genesis RG550. I had the original back in the day -- that was a greag guitar and this one is even better.
The neck is legendary, the fretwork outstanding, fit and finish, balance, the Edge trem, all combine to make this a player's instrument. It plays circles around my Gibson Les Paul Standard.
I ordered it on a Friday evening on a holiday weekend and AMS had it to my house the following Tuesday, double-boxed and in perfect condition. I've had the guitar for a couple of weeks and I love it. Get one.
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Japanese quality at a budget price
By: Eddie
Submitted: 11/6/2019
20 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
I love everything about this guitar! Quality craftsmanship and playability.
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Made in Japan Great Quality
By: Alex Obegon
Submitted: 8/5/2019
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
This guitar it's ready to Rock beside Rock honestly you will be able to play : heavy metal, Classic Rock, alternative even Fusion Jazz. Great Quality ready to play with no problem... The neck it's so fast I really recommend this guitar
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Such a great guitar
By: yelokrab
Submitted: 6/18/2019
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I got the road flare red one and wow is it bright! I'm really enjoying playing it. The edge trem is as good as it ever was (the best floating trem imo). There was no fret end smoothing done so it was sharp but it's an easy fix if you know how and have a special file to protect the fretboard, or inexpensive in setup with a luthier. Another downside is no case which is odd because I've bought other Japanese made Ibanez guitars over the years for less money and they all came with a hardcase.
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Japanese quality craftsmanship at an affordable price.
By: Eddie H
Submitted: 5/25/2019
2 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
The RG550 Genesis is an exceptional quality guitar. The quality level is on par with my US made guitars. It is equal to the original 1987 model in many ways but I believe the 5 piece, satin finish, maple / walnut neck is superior to the original. I bought 2 of them. Do not hesitate to buy one today from AMS.
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This thing is freakin awesome
By: Brian S.
Submitted: 4/5/2019
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I have been a Ibanez fan for a long time and I finally got a mij model and couldn’t be more happier. The color is awesome and really bright. Wife hates the color tho lol I would buy it again. Setup was perfect out the box.
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1991 called and I'm glad I picked up!
By: Brandon
Submitted: 3/14/2019
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
This was a nostalgic purchase because I'm a fan of these guitars from back in the day when everyone was using them. The bright yellow finish is remarkable, the pickups provide a nice range of tones, but the neck... Better buckle your seat belt because this baby is FAST! The feel of the back of the neck and the maple fretboard are insane. Plug in, turn up the gain and you'll be sweeping, string skipping, tapping and dive bombing the whammy like no one else.
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Lives up to its hype
By: Greg K
Submitted: 2/5/2019
Product Review
Considering this guitar is made in Japan you can expect superior craftsmanship. The guitar feels and sounds great. I am even impressed with the stock pickups, coming from a guitarist who swears by swapping his pickups. The edge bridge is on point. All the color options look gorgeous in person. This guitar is defiantly worth it's price tag and I can see why people say it rivals the original models. If you are considering this guitar just buy it, you wont regret it!
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AMS TOPS THEM ALL!!!!
By: Wirlin Gonzalez
Submitted: 2/4/2019
Product Review
I haven’t purchased a new guitar in years... for the sole reason that I wasn’t able to afford it in a one lump sum payment. Ams offers great deal on a monthly payment. I’ve been wanting an RG for years!; since I ran into the genesis series at NAMM 2019, I knew I had to get one.. so I that’s when I found AMS. I did a little research, went for it and I was not disappointed! AMS has won my heart and I will definitely be going to them directly for any of my musical equipment! Just ordered a couple pedals too!
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Well worth the money
By: Scott
Submitted: 12/28/2018
5 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Very well made with quality materials. I owned an original rg550 and this one is better in some was, for example the five piece neck.
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Great Guitar!
By: Bo Kjorvestad
Submitted: 11/6/2018
Product Review
This guitar is just like the first Ibanez I ever bought. I don’t know why they stopped making these guitars. Super fast neck and great tone. The low pro edge tremolo is the best tremolo ever made and the classic headstock is awesome. Get one!
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I love this Guitar!
By: Dwayne
Submitted: 9/29/2018
2 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Great! Awesome!I had 1 back in the late 80's. Makes me feel like i'm 16 again!Got the red 1.
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As good or better than my original RG550!
By: Michael Heppler
Submitted: 9/6/2018
Product Review
I owned an early 90's RG550 and it was the one guitar I have regretted trading over the years. When I saw this, I had to have one. This is a great Japanese/Prestige Ibanez at a great price. It's everything I remember and more...the neck is even better and I love having a guitar with the original Edge tremelo again. I got the minor blemished desert sun yellow model, but can't find a blemish on it! It came out of the box pretty well set up...neck straight/slight relief, low action, nearly in tune. The intonation will just need a slight adjustment when I get around to changing strings. This one will be one of my keepers.
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Best guitar I've bought so far!
By: Tanner Epperly
Submitted: 8/12/2018
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
This was actually the first guitar I ever bought with my own money. And I gotta say I picked a hell of a good one! The guitar showed up almost perfectly set up! The tuning just needed a bit of a adjustment but other than that, the intonation was spot on and the action was perfect for my style of playing! The neck feels as smooth as butter when moving your hand up and down while playing, the Edge tremelo stays in tune no matter how much abuse you give it, and the pickups sound amazing considering their stock pickups. It's also very comfy to play and pretty light in weight so it'll do just fine if you're sitting for long periods of time, or if you're in a live setting. Overall, this is one amazing beast of an instrument! Absolutely worth every penny!
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Love this guitar
By: S ott
Submitted: 8/11/2018
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I have owned a lot of Ibanez mostly prestige models. From JS’s to Jem’s and many more but lately i’ve Been more of a Strat guy. I got this today and it is flawless. It sounds and plays like a dream. I got the RFR RG550 and wouldn’t trade it for anything. It suits me perfect.
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It’s a good playing guitar.
By: danno441
Submitted: 7/22/2018
8 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
There’s a couple finish spots that didn’t turn out right. A rough spot near the tone knob and the bottom horn tip. The fret ends are sharp and protruding. Got $100 off but am left disopointed. I took the $100 because there were no others to replace it with and I needed it and the hassle of returning. I like it but expected better. Also may be a trem issue but not sure yet. I wanted a shredder and got one. Just not that feeling you get when it’s righy.
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Great
By: Dprat
Submitted: 5/13/2018
3 people found this review helpful.
Product Review
Pretty damn good. I gave it a 5 because I was never thrilled with the pickups, even on the 87 models, however, I knew this when I bought it. Plays like a dream, sounds phenomenal since I put the evolution set in them. You may like the pickups that come in them, and don't get me wrong, the pickups aren't that bad, I just prefer a different tone. The guitar is awesome. The road flare red I didn't buy through American Musical. My yellow one will be here Tuesday,.... Yeah, I ordered 2, they are that good.....