Who designed the RG

[Psychoshredder (Psychoshr]

 Jim,

I'm a big fan of RG guitars.
Can you share us a story behind the guitar?
who designed it for the first time?

Thanks,
MP

[Jim_Donahue (Jim_Donahue)]

 Long story, But the RG was really a Performance guitar that was modified for Steve Vai, This became the Jem.  After Steve's guitars had been stolen he had a bunch of Performance guitars modified by Joe Dispagni in New York, his company was JEM Guitars.

The guitar was sent to us at Ibanez and we copied it exactly and made the Jem. because the Jem was so expensive we came out with the RG or a slightly stripped down verion of the Jem that was not a Signature model.So the price would be cheaper.  This one had the Wizard 17mm neck on it that we had used on the the S series,

To say who designed the RG, I would say Steve Vai. We just built what he wanted then used the design for the RG

JD

[Psychoshredder (Psychoshr]

 Thanks a lot Jim.

some more questions,  
what was the first RG ?
Is it the maple board RG 550 ?
what year was it showed to the public?

again, thanks in advance.

[Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar)]

 If I might jump in here...

The first appearance of an RG*** model number was 1986. All Roadstars used the RG prefix that year.

The first guitar with the "RG Series" body shape was the 1987 RG550 which was actually part of the Roadstar series.

The '87 RG550 had a Maple fretboard unless the finish was black. Then it got a Rosewood board.

[Psychoshredder (Psychoshr]

 thanks mr.roadstar.
can you share some more informations regarding this 1987 rg 550..? the pickups, trem, etc..
I just got to have one of this, otherwise i can not call my self a Rg fanatic.

MP