2020 Ibanez RG565 Genesis
Details
This is the first guitar I have ever bought brand new. When it was announced, I was in the midst of buying other Genesis model guitars, and with vintage RG565R’s rare and out of reach, I jumped at the opportunity, especially in such a cool color with matching color fretboard dot inlays. Similar to other Genesis guitars, this one was made in Fujigen Japan, has an original Edge bridge, tilt-neck joint with a plate, and a 5-piece Wizard neck. However, it has features similar to the original run of RG565’s from 1991, such as the reversed headstock, colored inlays, and H/S pickup configuration with a 5-way blade switch offering tons of tonal flexibility by automatically splitting the coils of either the bridge humbucker, or the neck humbucker (single coil sized). It’s a fantastic sounding guitar and built to a high standard of quality. Similar to the 2019 RG550DX I own, I do think the neck finish is a bit too satin-y to my taste, since I prefer the more traditional glossier finish like the 90’s originals would have, but it’s a minor complaint. In fact, I probably wouldn’t even mention it if the 2018 RG550G I have doesn’t have the glossy finish - but maybe I just need to break the neck in a bit more.
