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Ibanez Genesis Collection Electric Guitarplay button

Ibanez Genesis Collection Electric Guitar

Ibanez

collapse expand iconDescription

The Ibanez RG550 is a shredder’s dream, boasting high-speed performance and bold, ’80s-style aesthetics. Originally released in 1987, the RG550 modernized the electric guitar for a new generation of players. It quickly became popular among rock and metal guitarists who demanded a fast, easy-to-play instrument. The Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550 is a reimagining of a classic, combining the adventurousness of early models with current-day revisions. Its D-shape Super Wizard neck, lightweight basswood body, HSH pickup configuration and dive-bombing Edge tremolo guarantees playability and versatility.

Ibanez RG550 Road Flare Red

Contoured Design

One of the hallmark features of the Ibanez RG series is the exceptionally sculpted body. The RG550 sports an ergonomic build with a deep tummy cut on the back and an arm contour on the front for enhanced comfort. Its basswood body also comes in three eye-catching, original ’80s and ’90s RG colors, including Road Flare Red, Desert Sun Yellow and Purple Neon. Not just for looks, basswood is known for its punchiness and definition, making it ideal for genres like hard rock and metal. Chords ring out with clarity and lead lines cut through a mix with ease, especially under high-gain settings. Additionally, basswood is lightweight, so the RG550 is continuously wieldable during prolonged practice sessions, rehearsals and onstage performance.

Ibanez RG550 Pickups

Three Pickups for Tonal Variation

The Ibanez RG550 comes equipped with three pickups in an HSH configuration. As a notable improvement over the original guitar, these include the refreshed Ibanez V7 (neck), S1 (middle) and V8 (bridge). While undeniably voiced for heavier genres, this array is noted for its versatility. A 5-way pickup selector helps players find the sweet spot for every situation, and Ibanez split-coil sounds—positions 2 and 4 on the switch—are particularly soulful for low- to mid-gain tones. On its own, the V7 neck serves up rich rhythms or full-bodied leads through its passive ceramic magnet, while the V8 bridge dishes out searing, high-output alnico magic suited to all styles of riffage.

Ibanez RG550 Fingerboard

Lightning-Quick Wizard Neck

Ibanez loaded the Genesis Collection RG550 with an ultraplayable Super Wizard neck, featuring a maple fingerboard and 24 jumbo frets. The 5-piece maple and walnut laminate is carved into a flat D-shape that’s a slender 3/4" thick at the 12th fret. Players who prefer to fly around the fingerboard will appreciate the 16.9" radius that aids in technical riffing and lead playing, further assisted by 9–42 gauge strings in standard tuning from the factory. Virtually everything about the Ibanez RG550 screams "playability," and the Super Wizard neck is a testament to Ibanez’s philosophy of helping guitar players shred.  

Ibanez RG550 Bridge

Locking Tremolo Improves Stability

A sturdy locking tremolo system is one of the most characteristic features of the RG550, consistent with all iterations over the decades. Ibanez utilizes their proprietary Edge floating bridge and locking nut in the RG550 for optimal tuning stability, intonation and even underhand comfort. Flutter and dive bomb away, adding a unique dimension to your solos or riffs, all without the worry of bending hopelessly out of tune. Gotoh machine heads round out these important hardware elements, offering precise control and a smooth feel.

The Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550 is a proper throwback to the model’s heyday, though it maintains a reputation as a modern innovation. Perhaps even more relevant today than it’s ever been, the RG550 is a purpose-built shred machine, offering motivated players everything they could want to take their music to the next level. From the super thin, fast-playing neck to the genre-spanning pickup configuration, the RG550 is a wolf in wolves’ clothing. Stop by your local Guitar Center and give the Ibanez RG550 a go—our helpful store associates will gladly assist in finding the next addition to your arsenal.   

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Solid basswood body 
  • Super Wizard 5-piece maple/walnut neck, maple fretboard with black dot inlay, Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez V7 and V8 humbucking in bridge and neck, S1 single coil in middle, 5-way pickup switch
  • Edge tremolo bridge, Gotoh tuners, black hardware

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Top wood:
  • Body wood: Basswood
  • Body finish: Info not available
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Super Wizard
  • Neck wood: Maple/walnut
  • Joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Truss rod:
  • Neck finish: Info not available
Fretboard
  • Material: Rosewood
  • Radius: Info not available
  • Fret size: Jumbo
  • Number of frets: 24
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width: 43 mm
Pickups
  • Configuration: HSH
  • Neck: High output humbucker
  • Middle: Single-coil
  • Bridge: High output humbucker
  • Brand: Ibanez
  • Active or passive pickups: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Not applicable
  • Piezo: Yes
  • Active EQ: No
  • Special electronics:
Controls
  • Control layout: Master volume, tone
  • Pickup switch: 5-way
  • Coil tap or split:
  • Kill switch: No
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Bridge design: Ibanez Edge
  • Tailpiece:
  • Tuning machines: Gotoh 
  • Color: Black
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features:
  • Case:
  • Accessories:
  • Country of origin: Japan

collapse expand iconWarranty

Warranty terms vary. Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.5

14 Reviews

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

9544031201

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Yes but I would need to know how to maintain the FR tremolo.

I bought this guitar because I wanted a super Strat and a more aggressive sounding pickups. The guitar was in impeccable condition when I unboxed it. Everything was perfect with the guitar when I received it. I didn't check string height and all that but it felt good to play. This was my first FR tremolo guitar, before purchasing it I did a lot of research on how to maintain the tremolo system and I was confident to deal with it. Upon arrival, I tuned up the guitar, locked the nut, used the fine tuners, and I was good for a couple of days. Then it was a little out of tune, stretched out the strings and tuned it up again. I was good for a couple of days. It was slightly out of tune again so I repeated the string stretching process and tuned up. As soon as I tuned up and started to play, it was out of tune. It kept going flat every time that I tuned it, the tuner would say it's perfect, but I strum a chord and it's a little bit flat. I started noticing in standard tuning the string tension was getting tighter and tighter but it wasn't in tune then I tuned to half a step down. Then I noticed the tremolo was going deeper into the body, it was never like that before. Finally, I'm like I'm done with this tremolo system, if it was a cheaper guitar, I would of worked with it but I wasn't going to take chances with expensive guitar and I don't want to go to the guitar store every time I change strings to have it set up. The FR system is a great evolution for the tremolo system but it's not my cup of tea. The pickups sounds was good for me but it didn't sound so great coming out my modified DS-1. I ended up getting a Les Paul Jr with a very simple bridge and a mean P-90, go figure, lol. Another thing I couldn't get along with was the string spacing on the guitar, it's a 17" radius and doing single note picking was awkward. Either way I'm giving the guitar 5 stars because it's a great guitar but not for me.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Guitar itself is great, but the sharp fret edges

I had to return this guitar for the bad sharp fret edges for a couple of times since it obviously bothers playing, but I recently bought it again since the spec of this guitar was amazing. Of course, the fret edges were rough and sharp again. I called up to Ibanez USA warranty dept, and they said it is NOT covered under warranty. So , I called up to 2 local guitar center, and they said that they'll repair ONLY IF with Platinum setup services purchased ($150 value). Also, the one from Gilroy, CA guitar center who looks like GM said that I should repair by myself since this guitar is like under $1000 which is very ridiculous. He should look out to the world, and learn how other new guitar brand companys make the guitars. No one can see this kind of old and ugly sharp fret edges any more even on $200 guitars.

Filters

Best Uses

  1. Jamming12
  2. Practicing11
  3. Recording11
  4. Rock Concerts7
  5. Small Venues6

Cons

  1. Fret Buzz1
  2. Shame for 1000$ not even a gig bag1
  3. Old Ugly Sharp Fret Edges1
  4. rough fret ends for $1000 guitar1

Describe Yourself

  1. Experienced12
  2. Novice2

Pros

  1. Fun To Play14
  2. Solid Electronics11
  3. Good Feel10
  4. Good Tone9
  5. Good Pick Up7
  • The Genesis 550 is Great compared to the original

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted9 months ago

    byWes

    fromHouston, TX

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I have a late '80's/early '90s RG 550 and have had a few more over the years, and the Genesis series guitars is a great addition to the collection. The neck is amazing. The Edge feels identical to the original, and the pickups are great. I love the neon purple finish too.

  • Plays almost too easily

    5

    submitted10 months ago

    byD.C.

    fromLa Mesa, CA

    I bought this guitar as an alternative for my RG8870 for practice when I don't have access to it. The string action is incredible! For this price point, it's a great deal. Definitely not the high end but plays at least as well. Love it!

  • Smooth as neon butter

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byMegatron

    fromKy

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I have a wide range of musical interests and the rg550 can pretty much handle them all. The edge tremolo is a significant step above tremolos on lower end models and the neck is incredibly fast. The stock pickups are acceptable but will probably be upgraded to dimarzios open the future.

  • Fantastic Guitar!!

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byThomas

    fromHouston,Tx

    I remember when this guitar came out in the mid 80s. All the purists scoffed calling it a "toy"", Joke's on them!! this guitar is well built, a classic, I'm not even a shredder and already I can play extremely well on it.I'm glad I bought it again,plays nice,looks nice.A keeper!!

  • Great playing guitar

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byMax

    fromSan Diego, CA

    My expectations were not high after all the reviews I read about the RG550. They were all talking about the sharp fret ends but the one got is just perfect. It's almost not any different from my other prestige models. It came with a low-action and spot-on setup. I did not need to do anything at all. Money well spent here.

  • Amazing quality for the price

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byJames

    fromJacksonville FL

    The RG550 Genesis has virtually no shortcomings - the build quality is stellar, the neck is thin, fast, and comfortable, and even the stock V7/V8 pickups aren't too bad. It is essentially a Prestige without Dimarzios and without saying so on the headstock. Bang for buck!

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

Showing 10 out of 12 Questions

Newest
  • asked byBlubberbee666

    fromIdaho

    Does this guitar have stainless steel frets? And also does it have any reinforcement rods in the neck? And what is the possibility of the neck shifting in the pocket?

    Does this guitar have stainless steel frets? And also does it have any reinforcement rods in the neck? And what is the possibility of the neck shifting in the pocket?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    1) No, nickel silver. 2) Yes. 3) Almost none existent.
  • asked byTomXTC

    fromSeattle

    Is the fretboard actually rosewood? Doesn't look like it in pics.

    Is the fretboard actually rosewood? Doesn't look like it in pics.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    "Maple fretboard"
  • asked byNick

    fromPerris Ca.

    Will this model take 2 - 4 weeks to ship since it's backordered and what are the chances it will take longer, and how long up to?

    Will this model take 2 - 4 weeks to ship since it's backordered and what are the chances it will take longer, and how long up to?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product availability 855-770-3373
  • asked byRyan

    fromAz

    When are you getting more of these in stock?

    When are you getting more of these in stock?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product availability 855-770-3373
  • asked byGregory

    fromBrooklyn ,NY

    what is the total length of the Ibanez RG550

    what is the total length of the Ibanez RG550

    Open Reply - Thomas
    It's about 41". Please keep in mind you don't play the length, you play the scale.
  • asked byT'ealq the Alien dude

    fromLos Angeles, CA

    The item page indicates these ate currently backordered as of July 9, 2022. What is the average time frame for shipping once an order is placed?

    The item page indicates these ate currently backordered as of July 9, 2022. What is the average time frame for shipping once an order is placed?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Our standard delivery time is 3 to 5 business days.
  • asked byAnders

    fromBonney Lake, WA

    Hi there, does it come with a hard case or gig bag?

    Hi there, does it come with a hard case or gig bag?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Case not included
  • asked byMatt

    fromMountville pa

    Does this come with a tremolo arm? One of the reviews said it doesn't

    Does this come with a tremolo arm? One of the reviews said it doesn't

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar does come with a tremolo arm.
  • asked byEl Jefe

    fromSpokane, WA

    Did the 4 star review guy's guitar arrived as a used, demo, or open box model?  Why would it not have a tremolo or allen keys?

    Did the 4 star review guy's guitar arrived as a used, demo, or open box model? Why would it not have a tremolo or allen keys?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    The most common reason that I have seen is either the box comes open in transit, or they are taped to the inside of the larger box and are accidentally thrown out with the box. Either way we will make sure you're taken care of and happy with your purchase.
    Open Reply - Ronald
    The most common reason that I have seen is either the box comes open in transit, or they are taped to the inside of the larger box and are accidentally thrown out with the box. Either way we will make sure you're taken care of and happy with your purchase.
  • asked byjeff

    fromOhio

    are the frets stainless steel?

    are the frets stainless steel?

    Open Reply - Gear Specialist
    Yes, these are Stainless steel frets.
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