AS113BS-B7842 vs RG550RF — Compare
Ibanez AS113BS Artstar B-Stock vs Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar
The AS113BS is a semi-hollow jazz and blues workhorse with vintage warmth and tonal versatility, while the RG550 is a high-speed shred machine built for metal and hard rock with aggressive lead tones and extreme tremolo performance. Choose the AS113BS if you play jazz, blues, or fusion; choose the RG550 if you're focused on shred, metal, or technical rock.
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Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar
Specs side by side
| Ibanez AS113BS Artstar B-Stock | Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $959.99 | $1,199.99 |
| Brand | Ibanez | Ibanez |
| Body | Semi-Hollow Body | Other |
| Body Type | Semi Hollow | Solid |
| Scale | 25.5" Scale | 25.5" Scale |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Maple |
| Neck | Maple | Unknown / Other |
| Pickup Configuration | HH | — |
| Bridge | — | Tremolo |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Condition | Refurbished | New |
Why choose Ibanez AS113BS Artstar B-Stock
- ✓ Semi-hollow body reduces fatigue during long sessions with balanced, ergonomic design
- ✓ Tri-sound switching (series/parallel/single-coil) provides genuine tonal range across jazz, blues, fusion, and rock
- ✓ B-stock pricing offers premium Ibanez construction—spruce/flamed maple with set-neck—at reduced cost with only cosmetic blemishes
- ✓ Vintage-leaning Super 58 humbuckers deliver warm, articulate attack with strong projection
Why choose Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar
- ✓ Ultra-thin 17mm Super Wizard neck engineered for maximum speed and technical precision across 24 jumbo frets
- ✓ Legendary Edge tremolo system enables extreme dive bombs and expressive vibrato while maintaining pitch stability
- ✓ Aggressive V7/S1/V8 pickup configuration delivers tight, controlled high-gain response ideal for distortion and lead work
- ✓ Balanced basswood body with strong mids and controlled highs optimized for modern amplification and metal tones
Frequently asked questions
Which guitar is better for jazz and blues?
The AS113BS is purpose-built for jazz and blues with its semi-hollow body, vintage-leaning Super 58 humbuckers, and tri-sound switching for warm, articulate tones. The RG550 is voiced for metal and hard rock, making it unsuitable for traditional jazz and blues playing.
Which guitar suits fast, technical playing and shredding?
The RG550 excels here with its ultra-thin 17mm Super Wizard neck, 24 jumbo frets, and 430mm radius fretboard optimized for speed and precision. The AS113BS uses a thicker, balanced Artstar profile neck suited to extended chord work and blues phrasing rather than rapid-fire lead techniques.
What is the key tonal difference between these guitars?
The AS113BS delivers vintage-leaning warmth with clear definition and moderate output, designed for articulate attack and tonal versatility. The RG550 produces bright, aggressive lead tones with tight high-gain response and controlled highs optimized for distortion and modern rock.
How do the tremolo systems compare?
The AS113BS uses a Gibraltar Performer bridge with conventional tremolo suitable for subtle vibrato and expression in jazz and blues. The RG550 features the legendary Edge tremolo system capable of extreme dive bombs and pitch-stable expressive vibrato for hard rock and metal effects.