Gallery
Description
Features
Specs
Reviews
Q&A

Videos (1)

View Allarrow icon
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 w/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 in.
  • 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: 43mm
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