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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Botoxfox

Posted by: Goliath Mar 1 2008, 04:34 AM

Playing all of my guitars today and recording them, I was really underwhelmed with the highs from my RG550 20th. The pickups just don't do it for me, but I want to keep it stock. The strings are dying, not quite dead and will be replaced, but I was curious what your thoughts were on the sound from the stock 550 20th. I'm going to maybe switch to a "brighter" string in an attempt to get some highs I'm happier with. What do you use on yours? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to my own question, but does anyone else have any tips or tricks to dealing with the less than desirable highs from this guitar?

I really wanted this as a collectors item that would play great, but currently my S470 is a much more sonically diverse guitar.

Posted by: botoxfox Mar 1 2008, 01:41 PM

Posted by: Goliath Mar 1 2008, 02:50 PM

well my problem is I'm comparing them side by side to my S which has evos w/ a mahog body and maple top and my dv8r which has a mahog body and neck w/ SD DM sig Live Wires, so it's easy to be dwarfed in the company of giants I suppose since both of those pickups are really high output.

Posted by: botoxfox Mar 1 2008, 03:02 PM

Well, I might end up changing the pickups on mine anyways as I don't keep it as a collectible, but as a player.

Posted by: Goliath Mar 1 2008, 03:08 PM

did you keep 9's on it or did you put 10's on it? I've been considering putting 10's on it as I overbend a lot with 9's.

Posted by: botoxfox Mar 1 2008, 03:14 PM

Yeah I just keep 9's on it, don't know about 10's tho. I know the original 550's were notorious for their neck warping. Offcourse the 20th has the 5 piece neck and the titanium reinforcement rods which makes it a lot stronger, but still.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Mar 1 2008, 04:21 PM

I would definitely buy new stringset and go from there. You never know until you put new strings - they always sound much brighter.

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff Mar 2 2008, 12:14 AM

well, it is a rg550, which you are lucky to have (i wish i could get one lol) have u tried something like a equaliser or...?

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Mar 2 2008, 12:31 AM

yeah, I have a RG550 !!! hehe, it's my first ibanez and is a good guitar... but obviously the JEM is too much better. I did some lessons with this guitar, hehehe, and when I change the pickups and scallop the frets I will record more lessons wth it cos JEM is really good but the tree inlay is not the best for teaching

Posted by: MickeM Mar 2 2008, 12:59 AM

Sorry for butting into your private discussion but isn't the 550 brighter in tone cause of the maple fretboard. It has a maple one, right? If it does I think that will add quite a bit to the bright tone.
And then maybe, since brightness is so up front you may have to work a little extra to get that part right since it's nothing a listener will miss.

Posted by: botoxfox Mar 2 2008, 09:50 AM

I believe Goliath has the black one which has a rosewood fretboard.

Posted by: Goliath Mar 2 2008, 05:56 PM

Yeah, I couldn't find a desert sun yellow one for sale anywhere, which is what I REALLY wanted, so I made due with the black one . Although in the RG550 20th promo featuring Paul Gilbert, he does play mostly on the black one

I like the way it plays just fine, but it just doesn't get in your face on the highs like I would like it too. I think an EQ might be a good idea to boost the highs on it. Thanks for that idea.

EDIT: no , he has the RFR one mostly but he does say nothing is more metal than black
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLNPk2U1Io