No video

1987 Ibanez RG550 Guitar Salvage & Restoration - Desert Sun Yellow

I collect vintage RG550s. It's the guitar I played when I was a teenager. I'm positive there must be a whole generation of guitarists out there that played on Wizard necks in their teens. I found this one on eBay with a mended cracked neck and some truly bizarre repair jobs and mods. It was filthy, forgotten and in need of a new loving home. No one bid on it. No one wanted it. But that is my secret. I buy the things no one wants.
I offered the seller a reasonable amount well below the auction price, and they accepted. According to the seller, they acquired four Desert Sun Yellow RG550's in an estate sale. All were either 89's or 87's. All were modded. This one stood out. And it's now mine.
Affiliate links:
Super Safe Rust Remover: amzn.to/3s9nlCE
Lint Free Medical grade fiber wipes: amzn.to/3x9NXYc
Dunlop System 65 Guitar Maintenance Kit: amzn.to/3T1AlGL
Heat Shrink Tubing Multi-color: amzn.to/3CgmE0J
Best solder ever-
KESTER SOLDER 24-6040-0027 Wire Solder, 0.031"Dia: amzn.to/3ClLxZf
Kester Solder24-6040-0061: amzn.to/3AwZ1jt
TS100 Electric Soldering Iron: amzn.to/3du1mCv
Blue Pickup Cover, Knobs, Switch Tip: amzn.to/3K8gS3u
Switchcraft 151 1/4-Inch Mono Jack: amzn.to/3AaKfgC
All Music Composed by Mark Gutierrez
Merch
Guitar Blueprints, DXFs, Fusion Files: who-wants-honey.myshopify.com/
Shirt: who-wants-honey.creator-sprin...
Let's be friends: www.buymeacoffee.com/markguti...

Пікірлер: 165

  • @soffsegtraddict
    @soffsegtraddict Жыл бұрын

    Liking the fact that it was restored to maximum functionality & not an attempt to re-live the 'freshness' of a new guitar. Absolute thumbs up for this 👍👍

  • @mitchell9937
    @mitchell9937 Жыл бұрын

    Whispering the entire video was odd, but the guitar came out really nice. I like the colored accents you did.

  • @familyengineering5591

    @familyengineering5591

    Жыл бұрын

    For real. I think he lives with his parents and has to stay quiet in his basement or else theyll yell at him and threaten to kick him out.

  • @dadoupi9836

    @dadoupi9836

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah it was uncomfortable for me kinda ruin the video

  • @sussy8970

    @sussy8970

    Жыл бұрын

    @@familyengineering5591 well he aint gonna be sounding like morgz the whole video

  • @bc454irocz89

    @bc454irocz89

    Жыл бұрын

    I was scared

  • @TerribleTommy

    @TerribleTommy

    Жыл бұрын

    I like it, he's like the Bob Ross of guitars.

  • @misterreality
    @misterreality Жыл бұрын

    I have an 87 Desert Yellow that my dad bought me brand new for Christmas that same year. I still have it. Ive been thru GIT and played thousands of gigs with mine and I can attest to the rusting. My Edge was not replaceable, it was completely pitted. And rusted shut. We managed to keep most of the original parts otherwise. Mine similarly has many of the same stress cracks. Fortunately nothing is of any concern and it’s still my number one favorite. If anyone is interested I’ve got a few videos of me playing it over the past 30 years on my page. This video warmed my heart.

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure there are more of us out there. I'd love to hear everyones RG stories.

  • @T0tenkampf

    @T0tenkampf

    Жыл бұрын

    Is 87 around the time you went to GIT? My buddy Dave Shaw attended that year too.

  • @misterreality

    @misterreality

    Жыл бұрын

    @@T0tenkampf no - went in 90

  • @MilianMalivukMusic
    @MilianMalivukMusic Жыл бұрын

    Adored this video with all the close ups. It felt like I was connecting with this guitar even though I can't touch it. Great restoration job! I share the love for RG550's, I haven't gotten an original one in my hands (I own two RG550's from the current Genesis Collection) but I know exactly how this must feel like, since I'm currently restoring an 1988 RG350. Very nice!

  • @k.h.1587
    @k.h.158710 ай бұрын

    Those mods and repairs scream "TWEAKER!"

  • @matthoy2844
    @matthoy2844 Жыл бұрын

    That turned out so great. You managed to keep the character while making the thing fully functional. Thanks for sharing!

  • @LeonTodd
    @LeonTodd Жыл бұрын

    Desert yellow is the ultimate RG colour - stellar work!

  • @KyleP133
    @KyleP1336 ай бұрын

    The horror movie ambient tones under the narration are perfect.

  • @danieledandrea4320
    @danieledandrea4320 Жыл бұрын

    I love your work on this guitar. You kept the intention of the old owner and made it better! I subscribed to your channel, well done

  • @jeffwoeber9590
    @jeffwoeber9590 Жыл бұрын

    Glad I found this channel. Hoping to be one of the OG's and watch this channel grow! Really Great Stuff!

  • @rockers2rockers616
    @rockers2rockers6166 ай бұрын

    Very nice restoration. Nice save of an iconic 1980s Rock Time machine. More power to YOU.

  • @theleftymonster
    @theleftymonster Жыл бұрын

    👏👏👏 not many people understand or appreciate what you did. Nice playing too. I had Frank Gamble’s guitar instruction where he had same colour Ibanez S series.

  • @tellchoat8337
    @tellchoat8337 Жыл бұрын

    So no joke. I’ve got an rg350m in dessert yellow with a single pickup, single volume, and a clear plastic pickguard. And it sings! I think it’s pretty cool that someone else thought to do the same thing.

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    The clear pickup mod was pretty common, right? It makes no sense to cover up all that lovely desert sun yellow.

  • @angel2of7death
    @angel2of7death Жыл бұрын

    Incredible restoration & killer shredding!

  • @realitystudioscustomshop
    @realitystudioscustomshop Жыл бұрын

    That's a cool project! Clearly well loved!

  • @willcarmack1242
    @willcarmack1242 Жыл бұрын

    Well done Brother.....You spun me back 30 yrz....love em....Head cutter guitars...the good Ole days...you got a treasure...I have owed 4.....still have 2......thanks again. ..Much Respect from St Petersburg Florida

  • @phillipb9328
    @phillipb9328 Жыл бұрын

    Good job! Looks and sounds amazing

  • @tyremanguitars
    @tyremanguitars Жыл бұрын

    nice job on the restoration! that's a pretty bold statement colour wise, they are great guitars.

  • @tjchad1
    @tjchad1 Жыл бұрын

    Cool find. I traded my 87 RG550 for a roadworn Strat a couple years ago. Mine was about 3000 units older based on the serial. Was black with an aftermarket anodized pickguard and NOT the original Edge trem. Mine had a pristine neck with a rosewood fingerboard. If it had the Edge I would have kept it. Cool story on it- I GOT IT FREE!!!! Dude at work had purchased it at a Goodwill or other thrift shop as a prop for a Halloween costume- he gave it to me instead of trashing it when he no longer wanted it... It did not work and I found the reason it did not work was just a wire on the output jack had come off.

  • @tomekkrakowiak2398
    @tomekkrakowiak2398 Жыл бұрын

    That is most beautifully shaped guitar.

  • @bjstein4242
    @bjstein4242 Жыл бұрын

    Just stumbled upon your vid.. great job in recovery of this "Franken 550".. and nice job keeping its original feel from the owner.. very surprised the bridge turned out as well as it did.. that rust remover is special stuff I have to look into it.. I am starting to love the Ibanez necks as I age.. i guess the playability helps the old hands.. lol.. awesome job.. your vid flowed quite nicely..

  • @sRichterMusic
    @sRichterMusic Жыл бұрын

    i can't tell if he just recited the whole lords of the ring story or if he talked about a guitar anyways banger video thank you for that content :)

  • @jdcordle7082
    @jdcordle7082 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful restoration and damn fine playing!

  • @bluematrix5001
    @bluematrix50012 ай бұрын

    I was waiting to hear the Guitar with that crazy Mod it had..... regadless sounds great.....

  • @n.hathorne6170
    @n.hathorne61706 ай бұрын

    Great video. Killer playing!

  • @DeathMetalGuitar
    @DeathMetalGuitar Жыл бұрын

    pouring in the rust remover was very satisfying to watch👏 nice work🤘😎

  • @mitchmurrell753
    @mitchmurrell753 Жыл бұрын

    Love the videography, and the super tasty jam at the end.

  • @robtology
    @robtology Жыл бұрын

    Cool man. I like the redo. I've a '94 550ltd and love it!

  • @robertovilla7319
    @robertovilla731910 ай бұрын

    Amazing restoration, wow everything!, thank you, thanks for sharing

  • @bizzski
    @bizzski Жыл бұрын

    Great guitar, great channel, great playing.

  • @linomoreno3897
    @linomoreno3897 Жыл бұрын

    Sweet I miss my RG550

  • @davidbrassard9125
    @davidbrassard9125 Жыл бұрын

    1987 best year ever!

  • @urryhana368
    @urryhana368 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations! Job well done 🎉🎉🎉🎉

  • @iaroslavgrygorash5443
    @iaroslavgrygorash5443 Жыл бұрын

    Good job! Awesome playing!

  • @finaljesus
    @finaljesus9 ай бұрын

    awesome job restoring this beauiful RG 550

  • @cancelbubble6535
    @cancelbubble6535 Жыл бұрын

    Great job on the restoration.

  • @bubbafrump74
    @bubbafrump74 Жыл бұрын

    That's exactly what my first guitar was. I'm so jealous. I've been looking forever!!!

  • @tomjhutch
    @tomjhutch Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely love this video, great job! A big kill-switch button where the power input is would have been really cool btw, maybe something for the future!

  • @leolorenzo79
    @leolorenzo792 ай бұрын

    Nice job, great playing, wonderful guitar! You got a new follower!

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the sub!

  • @-iv4uh
    @-iv4uh2 ай бұрын

    Damn this guitar paid its dues, deserve a good retiring

  • @CobyBassett
    @CobyBassett Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful guitar! All that battle damage reminds me of my dirty, beaten-up jewel-blue RG570 that I got new as a teen. (No weird modifications though.) I think I should give it a good cleaning...

  • @eduardocervantesaca
    @eduardocervantesaca Жыл бұрын

    what a beauty. I am going to look for one of those. I used to take guitar lesson at this music school back in the late 80's and they had this black 550. I loved it. Now, I have really nice rg770 Japanese which is more like the Petrucci Ibanez. I want a 550 with that maple neck.

  • @TheRude42
    @TheRude42 Жыл бұрын

    This was really enjoyable! ❤️🤘🤘🤘

  • @manonbassguitar
    @manonbassguitar6 ай бұрын

    Never understood the Vai hype around these, but cool you kept the mods the preview owner made.

  • @wizrom3046
    @wizrom30469 ай бұрын

    How have you got so few subscribers? That cinematography, the voiced audio, the superb music. 🛎👍 Wishing you a million subs! 👍🙂

  • @murfdog19
    @murfdog19 Жыл бұрын

    Music was in a much different place when this guitar was built. Just imagine the world around this guitar as it was originally being assembled. Where were you in 1987? Many of you weren't even born.

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    I was in 7th grade in 1987. I walked in to a music shop in Houston Texas one day and saw man playing a desert yellow RG. He was shredding so fast and hard that it left an imprint on my brain. Can't forget something like that.

  • @zigzagrz
    @zigzagrz Жыл бұрын

    I have a 91 rg750 and it too has its qwerks but when they are broken in this is, they play amazing

  • @richarddinsdale
    @richarddinsdale4 күн бұрын

    Love the video. Should have replaced the frets but thats alot of work. Anyway great video 🎉

  • @David.C.Velasquez
    @David.C.Velasquez Жыл бұрын

    OMG... this brings back so many memories of a similar guitar I saved for a year to buy in '91... RIP * I should have watched the whole video before commenting. Mine was the midnight blue, no pickguard, and the dayglo green dimarzio's, bought it used in immaculate condition for 8 hundy, which was alot in 1991 working a $5/hr job. A friend borrowed it for a gig several years later, dropped it afterward breaking the headstock behind the nut. I was young and stupid, so never considered that it could be repaired. Life lesson learned.

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    I had the coral mist one back in 91. It was a rare color. I wish I could find one again.

  • @David.C.Velasquez

    @David.C.Velasquez

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MarkGutierrez I wish you will as well.

  • @BoogyWoogyCreep
    @BoogyWoogyCreep Жыл бұрын

    I have a 1990 DY 550. Classic sound and is so easy to play!

  • @rickcrotts6673
    @rickcrotts6673 Жыл бұрын

    I'd have swapped in a super distortion, new pot, and jack and left the rest alone.

  • @scramblesthedeathdealer
    @scramblesthedeathdealer Жыл бұрын

    I like it, it's got a lot of character. I have 4 RGs, all are customized to some degree, one I built out of parts, my Frankenstein RG.

  • @morganbouchaud885
    @morganbouchaud885 Жыл бұрын

    Nice frankenRG. And your coffincase is cool.

  • @juantafakya
    @juantafakya Жыл бұрын

    Ademas de un excelente video y una restauracion tremenda y digna, cerraste con una tecnica increible con tap arpegios y cromatismos a una linea de efectos clasicos para la rg: chorus, ts, delay y mucho mas que ya no alcanzo a percibir pero definitiva y totalmente ibanezco gracias por este vid lo disfruté

  • @iandevlin_Ibanez
    @iandevlin_Ibanez Жыл бұрын

    My new go-to ASMR video.

  • @dannohite576
    @dannohite576 Жыл бұрын

    A black RG550 was the 1st guitar I bought with my own money. (My very 1st guitar was my dads, he gave me)

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here. I saved up. Mowed quite a few metaphorical lawns to buy my first RG550. It was the rare Coral Mist Metallic color. Played it in so many punk, hardcore and death metal bands in 90's until it fell apart. Still looking for another one of those coral mist RGs.

  • @drzainnas
    @drzainnas2 ай бұрын

    Thanks great video.

  • @johnboihardy
    @johnboihardy Жыл бұрын

    Damn you can shred. Love it

  • @ssisk87
    @ssisk87 Жыл бұрын

    I have a 2007 RG 350 DX that I found in a pawn shop probably going on ten years ago now, was looking around for my second guitar with my dad because the SG copy I have didn't allow for trem plays. Even when I found it in the shop it was gigged, it already had the dings and some rusting going on, apparently the guy sold it with his amp as well (Which I bought, still have both, and it's still my main amp) it was missing the locking nuts and trem bar but those were easy enough to replace. It became my main guitar for a few years as I was still leaning and not really gigging or anything but I've had to retire it recently because where I grew up and the fact I didn't even have a bag for it, it just sat in my room exposed when I didn't play it means some elements have really gotten to it, the trem is rusted out, it still works but you get rust on your hand when you use it, the locking nuts and tuners have a fair bit as well, and the pickguard has warped upward heavily over time to where the middle single coil is almost touching the strings. The guitar still works though, and feels great on the neck but I have invested in a good thick bag for it and retired it until perhaps one day I can get it somewhat restored. It's got to have a trem repair because the tension plate under the fine tuners, the one removed at 9:27 the tensioner under the 5th string has been bent down since the day I bought it. But other than that I'd simply want like the guard warping issues and major rust issues sorted, otherwise keep the patina as is because that look is its story you know... Nowadays I have a couple other guitars I'm using as mains but the RG will always stay with me...

  • @oliverkirkland6541
    @oliverkirkland6541 Жыл бұрын

    Love it!

  • @danriley5848
    @danriley5848 Жыл бұрын

    I owned an 87 RG 550 in 87 and it was a great guitar.

  • @artuday3405
    @artuday3405 Жыл бұрын

    "The fallen leaves tell a story Of how a Tarnished became Guitar Lord. In our home, across the fog, the Lands Between. Our seed will look back upon us, and recall. The Age of the Guitar."

  • @Lavietto
    @Lavietto Жыл бұрын

    I am Lefty and i still have one 1987 RG 560 and no less than three RG550ms 2 black from 91 original Edge and a 92 with the Lo pro edge and one white Casequeen without bucklerash or the pocket cracks with an original Edge from 1989. Ps amazing playing man. DS

  • Жыл бұрын

    A maior RG de todos os tempos! 🎸💛🔥🔥🔥

  • @cat_toy
    @cat_toy Жыл бұрын

    It's a guitar I've missed🤗💕💞💓💗

  • @supersonicnomad8437
    @supersonicnomad8437 Жыл бұрын

    Cool 550. Would of liked to hear the original owners wiring set up before disassembly.

  • @sergmo4979
    @sergmo4979 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing

  • @jeffbishop8291
    @jeffbishop82915 ай бұрын

    This is the coolest F'ing guitar video ever..

  • @lustertone8587
    @lustertone8587 Жыл бұрын

    I love my '87 RG550 in DSY with a color matched headstock...

  • @petercalhoun7259
    @petercalhoun7259 Жыл бұрын

    Still have mine!!! Same color!

  • @ranman58635
    @ranman586354 ай бұрын

    Bro, you should see the one I just found. I'm going tonhave to do a video. I've done some of the repairs but never expected to receive it. It's been painted over like evh. Badly drippin paint. Set in neck in great shape. Multiple layer neck. It'll take some work.

  • @russiangoose7053
    @russiangoose7053 Жыл бұрын

    I had a newer RG350M in the same color and I had it gutted in a similar way with the open cavity and a single Seymour Duncan Invader and a single volume knob 😂

  • @josefplager
    @josefplager Жыл бұрын

    This guitar has a vibe

  • @LosPompadores
    @LosPompadores Жыл бұрын

    That's what I call genuine character

  • @willtubarao
    @willtubarao Жыл бұрын

    epic. beautiful.

  • @bb_lz9790
    @bb_lz9790 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent work!! I would have worn gloves though... Curious why people refer to the jack where the guitar's signal comes out of as an "input" jack when it's really an "output" jack?

  • @youtubeagamiiori
    @youtubeagamiiori Жыл бұрын

    For your information, the ibanez rg550 guitar can make a bolt-on-neck Of course, it's a set in thru neckten thousand

  • @fabthomaz
    @fabthomaz Жыл бұрын

    Astonishing.

  • @willcarmack1242
    @willcarmack1242 Жыл бұрын

    But...never seen anything like this....very unique....and if it could only talk....well....you know what I am saying.....the rest is up to you....again ....Great job .... ..

  • @andretopy
    @andretopy9 ай бұрын

    I just found one in a pawn shop, super surprised. same color but no mods. Crazy finger ware on the frets but nothing damaging. Not sure if I will post or keep

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    9 ай бұрын

    from the 80's? I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

  • @T0tenkampf
    @T0tenkampf Жыл бұрын

    I always wanted to play around with those little active circuits but it just never made sense to me to have those on board when there is much more ability to personalize the sound with off board fx

  • @YARMAK666
    @YARMAK666 Жыл бұрын

    Edge is Ibanez's best floyd, even the old one!!!)))

  • @Nibblerr
    @Nibblerr Жыл бұрын

    Cool vid, but you really need to do something with audio. Those S's hurt my ears.

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    good to know. I'll take care of the S's in the next vid

  • @brian_nirvana
    @brian_nirvana Жыл бұрын

    that looks like too much fun. I think I would enjoy restoring guitars. that song that plays sounds like a Beastie Boy song called Transitions.

  • @murfdog19
    @murfdog19 Жыл бұрын

    All guitars have a story, but not all stories have a guitar. It'd be a lot cooler if they did!

  • @hangman960
    @hangman960 Жыл бұрын

    I need to try an RG550

  • @chrisraatz6672
    @chrisraatz6672 Жыл бұрын

    fun fun fun in the desert sun

  • @user-hi8bc4rg5x
    @user-hi8bc4rg5x11 ай бұрын

    Geile Gitarre, hammer Typ👺

  • @Nightshade1881
    @Nightshade1881Ай бұрын

    The sexy whispers tho 🤣

  • @bradleyclosson5042
    @bradleyclosson5042 Жыл бұрын

    Hell yeah!

  • @ALTheGuitarViking
    @ALTheGuitarViking Жыл бұрын

    This just pop up on my KZread Homepage and it was fun to watch. Great refinish you have done! So what was the original setting? How did it sound? I am curious what the previous owner did to it. By the way I subscribed your channel! Great channel to know! Thanks!

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    Originally it sounded pretty darn good. The circuit was a built--in overdrive with 3 or 4 settings. When kicked in it sounded heavily compressed and tight. It was cool but I wanted something a little closer to the original guitar. Thanks for the sub!

  • @ALTheGuitarViking

    @ALTheGuitarViking

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MarkGutierrez COOL!

  • @jvelueta
    @jvelueta Жыл бұрын

    I have an 87 which is going through restoration, I need to change pickups, paint is now more like orange burned but still kinda yellow, just wierd looking, it was expose to heat a lot and paint got damaged.

  • @tylerlaiche8443
    @tylerlaiche8443 Жыл бұрын

    Just bought one from Houston for $200. Had to have it

  • @SpiderSkot
    @SpiderSkot Жыл бұрын

    OMG is this the one that was for sale super cheap on some questionable website last month that I didn't trust enough to give them money?? If so, I'm totally green with envy.

  • @guitargordooficial
    @guitargordooficial Жыл бұрын

    Great Job. Like i said in other videos like this. Nor the katanas or sushi not even Dragon Ball Z. The best product out of Japan Is late 80s~early 90s Ibanez RG. Period.

  • @Dooodrhino
    @Dooodrhino Жыл бұрын

    Awe man, you scrapped the funky varicose thing... I wanted to see what that was all about

  • @ImYourProblem
    @ImYourProblem Жыл бұрын

    So you would suggest worn out jumbo frets be refinished rather than replaced?

  • @MarkGutierrez

    @MarkGutierrez

    Жыл бұрын

    For sure, even flattened out, jumbos have lots of material left.

  • @ris163
    @ris163 Жыл бұрын

    what song in the end?

  • @jesuzleonardo
    @jesuzleonardo Жыл бұрын

    Badass guitar, creepy whispering….

  • @ranman58635
    @ranman586354 ай бұрын

    I've done one full level amd crown. It was the last. Lol