NGD: Ibanez RG550

[shobet]

His description is a bit light on words and I can see more dings than he says so I suppose it's down to his definition of fair ware being different to yours. If it is as bad as you say then his pictures are very flattering. But as Bengal states if you really go over them closely you can see the crack (just) and the extra dings you're on about. The ware on the neck plate is also a giveaway that she's been well used. Are you going to bother trying to get her set up the way you want or are you that unhappy with it that you are going to try and get your money back?

[finstah]

maybe because you don't see the guitar in front of you.

I've been playing for 27 years. I know what a "players condition" axe looks like. My maples all look just as bad with residue. I know about the neck joint cracks. He described 2 chips which I was fine with.

This guitar is not in "nice condition" it's beat, not played, beat, not as pretty as the pics make it seem, beat. My wife doesn't know the first thing about guitars but even she can see that this is not as described and not playable.

And although you can kinda see the crack. It is not a surface crack. My nail gets CAUGHT in the crack. Fine if its there, mention it in the description if it is that bad. Even a non player can spot that. It's worse than the chips.

I probably should've asked more questions but from the description and the pics it looked to be in great shape.

Yes he said he didn't play guitar. But I bet he's taken a photography class or two in his life.

He polished up a pinto to look like a rolls royce.

It's gonna cost too much to get her in shape to play. She needs a lot of work. I'd be stoked if it was $200 but for $400+ she should at least be ready to go.

I wrote him asking for a refund minus half shipping. If he doesn't oblige I will file a complaint

Guys don't read this the wrong way. I'm just venting.

[Bengal]

Gatron,
What causes it is a tight pocket and very slight movement of the neck. That or they sometimes happen when people take off the neck or put it back on. They also can happen when the neck screws are overtightened.

Very, very common on the non AANJ Ibanez.

[shobet]

It may not be super minty but for $400 bucks I'd take it. (but then I'm in the UK where we would have to pay over the odds for a plank strung with elastic bands)

Just out if interest what causes the crack at the neck pocket and is it anything to ever worry about?, I ask as I recently bought a BC rich stII that has one, doesn't worry me as the neck is rock solid and it plays like butter...but enquiring minds want to know!

There's not much wood around the area at the top of the pocket and I think that with general knocks and possibly the expansion and contraction with the changing seasons they just crack. I may be wrong. They normally look worse than they are.

[Bengal]

Finstah,
I've had finish cracks I can catch a fingernail on. That's whats cracked, the finish.

I saw enough on the pics to throw up a flag or two. And I never take people at their word. Not that they are being dishonest, but their definition of "nice" might be quite different that what I think "nice" is.

You overpaid slightly but very slightly even in the condition you state it's in. If I were you, I'd have it set up to my liking and then decide. Good ones get played, and this ones been played.

I do understand being disappointed though. That does suck. But maybe after a clean up and a set up you might just love the shit out of it.

Or you can try to get your money back.

[rjohnstone]

+1 Looks lie a typical 19 year old RG.

The cracks are common, although my 87 560 doesn't have them (knocks on wood), but the paint on these is shit (very brittle) and chips very easily.

Auction looked fine to me. I saw no attempt at deception.

You can see the neck pocket crack in one of the pics plain as day.
If you were worried about it, you should have asked.
The neck plate should have been a good indicator that you're gonna have rust on some parts. You can see it on the screw heads on the pickguard as well.
The straight on view of the pickguard shows it's been "played".
The only one to blame is yourself for not asking more questions.

I think your desire to own one may have blinded you to the guitars obvious flaws.

[shobet]

maybe because you don't see the guitar in front of you.

I've been playing for 27 years. I know what a "players condition" axe looks like. My maples all look just as bad with residue. I know about the neck joint cracks. He described 2 chips which I was fine with.

This guitar is not in "nice condition" it's beat, not played, beat, not as pretty as the pics make it seem, beat. My wife doesn't know the first thing about guitars but even she can see that this is not as described and not playable.

And although you can kinda see the crack. It is not a surface crack. My nail gets CAUGHT in the crack. Fine if its there, mention it in the description if it is that bad. Even a non player can spot that. It's worse than the chips.

I probably should've asked more questions but from the description and the pics it looked to be in great shape.

Yes he said he didn't play guitar. But I bet he's taken a photography class or two in his life.

He polished up a pinto to look like a rolls royce.

It's gonna cost too much to get her in shape to play. She needs a lot of work. I'd be stoked if it was $200 but for $400+ she should at least be ready to go.

I wrote him asking for a refund minus half shipping. If he doesn't oblige I will file a complaint

Guys don't read this the wrong way. I'm just venting.

If she's as bad as you say, and you seem to know your stuff then I'd advise you to contact the seller and try and get a refund. Failing that raise a case with ebay for the goods not being as described. I'd take some better pictures of the damage if I were you so you can use those to support your argument. Good luck, it's a shame she's not what you expected.

[finstah]

I think your desire to own one may have blinded you to the guitars obvious flaws.

BINGO. I saw that maple neck and went SCHWING! But everyone here has to admit the pics make it seem like a can't lose guitar.

Anyway, I'll see what he says about returning it. If not I guess I could leave her with the "relic" look and replace the bridge pup and beat the sheet out of her. or I may take some better more detailed pics and file a complaint

[Bengal]

BINGO. I saw that maple neck and went SCHWING! But everyone here has to admit the pics make it seem like a can't lose guitar.

Anyway, I'll see what he says about returning it. If not I guess I could leave her with the "relic" look and replace the bridge pup and beat the sheet out of her.

Sorry, I said in a post above that I saw enough in the pics to throw up a flag or 2. Would make me ask a very pointed question or 3. So I can't get with you on the "can't lose guitar" idea.

I like them beat up a bit though. Makes them more playable.

[Gartron]

Thanks Guys.!! (sorry to derail your thread slightly finstah!)

[finstah]

I saw the shape of the neck and I threw up a red flag when I saw the neck plate. But man it looked good in the lights. The pretty, pretty lights. I could be a supahstar on stage with this thing. Yeah, that's the ticket.

I'm 39 years old and having been around the block and bought enough gear in my life I should've known. But the little kid in me got too excited and didn't follow thru. I can hear my old man up above saying "I told you so."

Garton, no worries brah. It's all good

[shobet]

What does it need to make it playable in your opinion? I'd be tempted to slap a set of new strings on her, tune her up, get her set up how I like and then have a good play on her. .
The Edge trems on these early ones tend to be fairly bomb proof, but if that is fucked, finding them can be a pain in the arse. The back of the neck where the nut goes looked ok to me, that's another area they tend to crack. I'm with Bengal on the beaten up look. As I said earlier the one I prefer to play is the 560 with he knocks, missing paint and lots of chips on it. I'd give her a chance as somone thought enouhg of her at one time to play the hell out of her. I'm interested to see what the SD sounds like in one to be honest.

[rjohnstone]

Finistah... you need one of these...
Had her since day one and yes... she's a player. She's had more mods than Joan Rivers face.

I don't worry about scratching her anymore.

[shobet]

I saw the shape of the neck and I threw up a red flag when I saw the neck plate. But man it looked good in the lights. The pretty, pretty lights. I could be a supahstar on stage with this thing. Yeah, that's the ticket.

I'm 39 years old and having been around the block and bought enough gear in my life I should've known. But the little kid in me got too excited and didn't follow thru. I can hear my old man up above saying "I told you so."

Garton, no worries brah. It's all good

Ficking hell I'm not that far behind you age wise and I still do the same, once the 'blinkers of must have' have been firmly placed on your head sometimes it's hard not to buy the bloody guitar (he says turning around to look at the 16 behind him).
It came with a case as well so if the worse comes to the worse you can part it out if needs be! Ooooh I'm going get run out of Dodge for saying that I can feel it in my bones..

[finstah]

What does it need to make it playable in your opinion? I'd be tempted to slap a set of new strings on her, tune her up, get her set up how I like and then have a good play on her. .
The Edge trems on these early ones tend to be fairly bomb proof, but if that is fucked, finding them can be a pain in the arse. The back of the neck where the nut goes looked ok to me, that's another area they tend to crack. I'm with Bengal on the beaten up look. As I said earlier the one I prefer to play is the 560 with he knocks, missing paint and lots of chips on it. I'd give her a chance as somone thought enouhg of her at one time to play the hell out of her. I'm interested to see what the SD sounds like in one to be honest.

I'm just used to having nice gear. Never had anything so "played". Like I said I was expecting more for the price I paid. I don't want to have to dump a bunch more money in it and I'm hoping the knife edges are still ok on the bridge. But no one held a gun to my head to buy this.

I just bought a minty 770 and I was hoping this would be close. I think I could get away with cleaning her up and restringing her. If I get some extra cash I may replace the pickguard and pups.

Finistah... you need one of these...
Had her since day one and yes... she's a player. She's had more mods than Joan Rivers face.

I don't worry about scratching her anymore.

is that a 560? Sweet. Man what I REALLY want is a candy apple red 550DX

Ficking hell I'm not that far behind you age wise and I still do the same, once the 'blinkers of must have' have been firmly placed on your head sometimes it's hard not to buy the bloody guitar (he says turning around to look at the 16 behind him).
It came with a case as well so if the worse comes to the worse you can part it out if needs be! Ooooh I'm going get run out of Dodge for saying that I can feel it in my bones..

I haven't seen too many laser blues with a maple neck, after that the blinders were on. Ha ha

I guess to look on the positive side I don't have to worry about hitting my amp, rack or mic stand and getting a chip or ding