The RG550 Genesis is a faithful reissue of the guitar that defined the RG shape in the late 80s, right down to reviving the original Edge tremolo rather than the Edge Zero II found on most current Ibanez guitars.
12 mods reviewed: 3 drop-in, 7 need verification, 1 needs modification, 1 not compatible.
Places we know sell the Ibanez RG550 Genesis.
Andertons
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The RG550 Genesis is a faithful reissue of the guitar that defined the RG shape in the late 80s, right down to reviving the original Edge tremolo rather than the Edge Zero II found on most current Ibanez guitars. That's a deliberate throwback, and trem parts and upgrades should specifically target the original Edge system, not the more common modern variants. Gotoh tuners and a 5-piece maple/walnut neck round out the build.
Tailpiece
None (bridge-integrated, locking trem)
Scale length
25.5" (648mm)
Tuner hole size
10mm (25/64")
Nut width
43mm (1.693")
Not published by Ibanez: string spacing and bridge mounting spacing. Measure these before buying a bridge.
A direct upgrade for this guitar's exact tremolo system, same fit as stock, just more mass for added sustain.
A real, documented upgrade specifically for the original Ibanez Edge tremolo this guitar ships with, same height and shape as the stock block, confirmed by an owner review of this exact model.
The original pickup this guitar's stock humbuckers were modeled on. Fits the standard humbucker route. You will need to solder it in.
This is the actual pickup Ibanez modeled its own V7/V8 pickups on, standard humbucker route and mounting, a well-documented real upgrade path for owners of this exact model.
See also
Fits the standard humbucker route this guitar's stock neck and bridge pickups already sit in. You will need to solder it in.
Fits the standard humbucker route this guitar's stock neck and bridge humbuckers already sit in.
£309.99 at Andertons
View at Andertons
Commonly reported to fit this guitar's middle pickup mounting, though not officially confirmed. Worth checking before ordering.
A widely used player guide reports Stratocaster-style staggered single-coils fit physically into similarly routed middle-position slots, though not manufacturer-confirmed as an exact mounting match for this guitar's specific S1 middle pickup.
Help confirm this fit
£104.99 at Andertons
View at Andertons
Hole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock where aftermarket tuner screw holes sometimes do not line up.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock, screw hole alignment not guaranteed.
Help confirm this fit
See current price at Amazon
View at AmazonHole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock where aftermarket tuner screw holes sometimes do not line up.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock, screw hole alignment not guaranteed.
Help confirm this fit
See current price at Amazon
View at AmazonHole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock. Confirm the correct InvisoMatch plate variant before ordering.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock, screw hole alignment not guaranteed even with an adapter plate unless the correct variant is used.
Help confirm this fit
See current price at Amazon
View at AmazonHole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock where aftermarket tuner screw holes sometimes do not line up with the factory ones. Worth checking before ordering.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock. Owner reports on this headstock style describe aftermarket tuner screw holes not lining up with factory pilot holes even when post diameter matches.
Help confirm this fit
See current price at Amazon
View at AmazonHole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock where aftermarket tuner screw holes sometimes do not line up.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock, screw hole alignment not guaranteed.
Help confirm this fit
See current price at Reverb
View at ReverbHole size should match, but this guitar has a pointed reverse headstock where aftermarket tuner screw holes sometimes do not line up.
Ibanez pointed reverse headstock, screw hole alignment not guaranteed.
Help confirm this fit
This tuner is sized for vintage tuner holes, not the modern holes on this guitar. You'll need Gotoh's conversion bushings, sold separately, to fit it.
This tuner is vintage-hole spec (8.73 to 8.8mm), not the modern 10mm hole this guitar actually has. Gotoh sells conversion bushings separately for exactly this situation. Not a direct swap, but not a drilling job either, it is a bushing change.
Help confirm this fit
If you have fitted any of these to this Ibanez RG550 Genesis, tell us what you found and we'll update the data.
