2019 Ibanez RG550DX Genesis

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After getting my first RG550 Genesis, I went on a bit of a spree - excited that there was finally a current production guitar that felt as good as the vintage ones I love so much. This isn’t a 1:1 replica of a previous model, though it does have a lot of similarities to the 1994-1999 RG550LTD which shares a similar bound neck with sharkfin inlays. However, that guitar had the Lo-Pro Edge bridge and the All Access neck join (AANJ). This RG550DX Genesis has a more traditional tilt join, a 5-piece wizard neck, and a granadillo fretboard due to issues with rosewood around the time of its production. So this is more of a hybrid of an older RG550 from the late 80s, but with some features of the later 90s version on the neck - a pretty cool combination for sure. It plays and sounds just as good as the my 2018 Genesis, with excellent quality fit and finish. My only complaint is that this one’s neck seems to be much more of a satin style finish than the gloss of my 2018 model, or the glossy finish of vintage ones. Maybe it will get worn in with time, but I’m surprised the neck feel is so different for a guitar only a year newer, but it’s a minor complaint either way. Speaking of minor complaints, I think it’s very odd that the headstock is not bound on this guitar, when traditionally LTD necks have bound headstocks too - I guess they had to cut some cost somewhere, since this was made in Fujigen Japan and introduced for very reasonable price of $1099 (without a case though).