1983 Ibanez Rocket Roll II RR550 – Cherry Burst Custom Hardtail

1983 Ibanez Rocket Roll II RR550 – Cherry Burst Hardtail Custom

Check out this custom creation starting with an original ’83 Ibanez Rocket Roll II Flying V in Cherry Sunburst. It came from the Fujijen factory an 83 RR550 CS spec’d with an Ibanez HardRocker tremolo in February 1983, then at some point routed for a Kahler, which didn’t work out, so routed it for a Floyd-rose, which also didn’t work. The holes were then plugged with a large piece of pine, and the instrument was converted to a string-through. Terrible things happen to Vs. That’s where I found it a few years ago.

The instrument was professionally rebuilt in 2018/2019 here in LA and converted to a hardtail with vintage Gibraltar bridge setup ala Destroyers and Rocket Rolls from 1980-1982 and other high end Ibanez instruments. A new flamed top was added, binding was replaced, and then the instrument was painted up as far as its original headstock so the serial number from the factory is retained. Everything above the level of the volute is original finish, looking very good. The pickups are a mix of Maxon/Ibanez Super58 in the neck, and a D’Marzio Super Distortion in the bridge position to do the job of the V2 on a stock guitar. This makes for a very versatile instrument that can handle rhythm and lead, high-gain and blues. The Super Distortion reads at 13.5k, the Super58 at 7.2k. Any hardware not Ibanez is Gotoh. The guitar has a brass and bone nut, custom truss rod cover, flat, wide neck with 22 jumbo frets, and a beautiful rosewood fretboard, and is one of one.

All the woodwork was done by Randy at RWR Guitars in Los Angeles, the setup was handled by the guys at Eric’s Guitar Shop in Van Nuys, CA.

Weighs 7lb and 6oz, setup on 10’s, comes in an as-new TKL hardcase.

Condition

Extra holes drilled for original tuners, patina on metal parts. The paint on the horns reacted to the first case that this was kept in which affected the finish, hard to spot unless you look. There’s also wear on the tips from resting on the ground or in a stand, typical V wear, but presents as excellent. Impressions on the back from a stand or strap, harsh lighting required, guitar presents as excellent. Not new, not pristine, looks fantastic. See the pictures, ask for more. As always, lots more pictures of this one at my site which Reverb doesn’t want me to link to, but if you put a dotcom behind my shop name, you’d already be there.