Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550 Electric Guitar - Desert Sun Yellow
First built in 1987, the original Ibanez RG550 reshaped what a production electric guitar could do — a thin fast neck, a locking tremolo that actually held tuning, and a versatile HSH pickup layout, all at a price working players could reach. The Genesis Collection reissue returns to that original design and construction, built in Japan, with a handful of refinements that address the few places the 1987 spec showed its age.
What the Genesis Collection Changes — and What It Doesn't
The silhouette, the contours, the deep treble-side cutaway that gives unrestricted access to all 24 frets: all unchanged. What has been updated is the neck and the pickups. The original's one-piece maple neck becomes a five-piece laminated maple and walnut Super Wizard — the same thin profile, with better long-term stability and an extra-smooth feel. The pickups move to modern V7 neck, S1 middle, and V8 bridge, retaining the HSH versatility while delivering more usable output.
Sound and Feel
The contoured basswood body gives the RG550 a warm growl with enough midrange definition to cut through a dense mix. The V7/S1/V8 configuration covers a wide range — crystal clear cleans through searing high-gain lead tones — which is why the RG550 has never been strictly a metal guitar despite its reputation. The Edge locking tremolo remains the centerpiece: twist, bend, and dive-bomb without losing pitch, backed by a locking nut and Gotoh tuners. The maple fretboard adds note clarity and snap that works equally well live and in front of a microphone.
Desert Sun Yellow
Desert Sun Yellow is one of the original 1987 RG550 finishes and remains the most recognizable color in the line. Paired with black hardware and the matching painted headstock, it is the exact look that defined the late-'80s Ibanez aesthetic.
Specifications
| Series |
Ibanez Genesis Collection — RG |
| Strings |
6 |
| Body |
Basswood |
| Neck |
Super Wizard, 5pc Maple/Walnut |
| Fretboard |
Maple |
| Frets |
24 |
| Pickups |
V7 (neck) / S1 (middle) / V8 (bridge) — HSH |
| Bridge |
Edge Locking Tremolo |
| Nut |
Locking |
| Tuners |
Gotoh |
| Country of Origin |
Japan |
| Finish |
Desert Sun Yellow |
| Case |
Not included |
Buying From XGuitars
Every guitar sold through XGuitars receives a hands-on professional setup and thorough inspection. Owner Geoff Ferdón personally inspects and sets up each instrument, checking action height, intonation, neck relief, fret ends, tuning stability, electronics, and finish quality. All instruments are stored in a climate-controlled environment at proper humidity and temperature. We also offer a zero-cost warranty — we cover all shipping costs for warranty claims within the continental U.S. Availability: In stock.
Questions about this guitar or need help choosing between models? Call us at 828-417-9515 or email
sales@xguitars.com.
