The Zero II is just as stable as the Edge and id argue has much better colors. For the price of the 550 you can get a 450/70 and buy aftermarket pickups which the 550 needs anyway since the V pickups were made to be cheapo pickups to bring the cost down from the Jems dimarzios for the 550 as the poor mans Jem
The big difference is the tremolo. I had the RG 350 , now I have an RG 550. Pickups can be changed easily, the tremolo no so easy. if you don't use the tremolo the 450 is the best for the money.
That was a great comparison Ben. Personally I'd go with the 470 for a few reasons. I can't play guitars with maple fretboards because of my eyesight, I would prefer the thicker neck, I prefer the fret markers, and the look without the pickguard. Add to that less guilt for swapping pickups and the choice is clear for me. I don't play live so the 470 would make more sense overall.
Thanks Colin. Yeah, I personally think the RG470/RG450's are great guitars. My older RG450EXB is what got away from Strats and back to Ibanez, after over a decade of being a strat guy. I need to get the Duncan's installed in this one. Had them a week now:)
Great video. Wish i saw this a few months ago, you could have saved me some money. I've got little tiny hands so i went with the tiniest production neck on he market. Been playing for like 30 years and never bought a brand new electric guitar and figured, may as well get the Lamborghini of guitars for my midlife crisis. It's only coming into the store in November though, i think they're in high demand
Only cons of this RG550 "reissue" is that the 5 way selector switch used in this guitar are somehow low quality. Mine and lots of people on internet, their RG550 started acting up after couple of use. I replaced mine with Gotoh -- it is not that expensive! Just better quality and sturdier. RG Prestiges uses better quality and even my old RG370dx has better switch.
Yeah felt disapppointed knowing some people RG550 consider this as prestige. I've never experience this with all my Ibanez. I love my RF and fixable issue won't stop me from getting the DY soon
I have The 550 brand new with the switch problem. Very disappointing, but the rest of the guitar is amazing. Use of a eq pedal could save you the money for new pickups (maybe) about the 550 neck, it take a little getting use to. And yes it is fast as h… 😊
I’m a big fan of Ibanez guitars 570’s, 560 USA art model.. 550’s and prestige’s over the years. wish I kept them.. but with journey in gear I’ve landed with my single cuts.. but I’ve been wanting to get another RG and I think the 470/450 might be the ticket for me. I’m always modding guitars with pickup swaps anyways.. so this would be perfect!
hi there! Pretty informative and detailed video :). I have been thinking about buying a RG470DX but i recently stumbled upon the JEMJR. Their about the same price in my area and now Im wondering which one I should get, could I get your opinion? Thanks!
Hi, I appreciate you watching. If you want a little better trem with wider spacing, go with the new RG470. Though there is nothing wrong with the JemJr's trem. I have it on my RG450EXB and love it. The pickups were different on the 2 models, though I think new models of the JemJr are using the same Quantums now. Honestly, unless the trem makes that much difference to you, get the one you like the look of best.
Awesome video man. Still trying to decide on a guitar. Leaning towards the 550 for sure. But I'm also digging the new jackson pro plus dinky. Made in China is kinda making me think about that though. How does the 550 neck feel compared to a jackson neck? Love the jackson necks. Thanks
I haven't tried the Pro series yet. On the list for the next couple months. The arch top isn't my fav personally. They spec out pretty nice though. Looking at the DK2 Ash in Green Glow myself.
this is a great comparison, but I think the real comparison needs to be between the 550 and a prestige set up the same way. there is about a $1000 difference between them and I want to see if that’s worth it. I have a prestige and I have the 470 but the 550 is smack dab in the middle. my prestige was around $2200 and obviously the 470 is around $500. The 550 crosses over between them. and another guitar that I am waiting to get my hands on is a J custom. because I want to comparison between that and a prestige as well. The RG is and always has been my favorite guitar so I like to check them out in all variations. Eventually, I will get them all. I’m sure.
I would have to get a Prestige on a heck of a sale to do that comparison. I personally don't think they are worth the difference in price. However, I also preferred my RG550 to the Prestige. I will keep a look out for one.
@@benpowersguitar i tend to agree, I feel like the main difference is the heel joint on the prestige is a little better otherwise same guitar. kind of why I threw this out there to make people realize that. i got a rgt neck throough at $500 it’s super solid as well.
@@9th_note I can't remember who it is, that did the comparison last year, and came to that exact conclusion. I would like to do the vid myself though. Have to keep an eye on Reverb. Been thinking about the neck through. Glad to hear it's solid.
@@benpowersguitar yeah if you’re a big RG fan then I think you’re gonna love the neck through version. The one I have is from a Korean factory, so it’s pretty good as far as fit and finish. I have not tried an Indonesian version though, so if you end up picking one of those up, keep me posted. my Indonesian RG121 does have some fit and finish discrepancies, but it doesn’t hinder its playability. So I definitely would be curious about that as far as a neck through version.
2 beautiful guitars. Unfortunately I have severe OCD related to aesthetics/symmetry and both have some minor details that act as a trigger so I have to pass. 😮💨
@@andyy6481 No idea how they do live, as I don't play live anymore. That was the concern I stated. And some just don't like the tone of Ibanez pups. I have Quantums in other guitars, so am planning on trying a SD Mayhem set in this one. Though, I may leave it stock, as it really doesn't need the change, for me anyway.
