1987 Ibanez RG550 Prototype – Owned and Signed by Steve Vai (FujiGen, Japan)

The Genesis of the RG: An Unparalleled Piece of Ibanez and Steve Vai History.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire an historically significant instrument: a confirmed Prototype Ibanez RG550 from the first year of production (1987), personally owned and signed by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai.

Key Provenance and Features:

• Year & Factory: 1987 (FujiGen, Japan) – The inaugural year for the legendary RG series.
• Prototype Status: Confirmed prototype/pre-production model of the RG550, used for testing and development prior to mass market release.
• Serial Number: F768094 (Verifiable 1987 production).
• Provenance: Owned and played by Steve Vai, and personally signed by him. Screenshots from a Kickstarter campaign are included that reference the ownership as well as a video that references this guitar. This guitar was acquired from John (JB) Bryant the son of guitarist Jimmy Bryant
• Specifications: 24-fret Wizard neck profile, HSH pickup configuration, Floyd Rose licensed tremolo (Ibanez Edge).

Historical Significance:

The RG550 model was the direct result of the development of Steve Vai's JEM signature guitar. This prototype represents the moment Ibanez established its identity as the world leader in high-performance instruments. This specific guitar served a crucial developmental role, potentially containing unique pre-production features, and was in the hands of the artist who inspired its creation.

This is not just a vintage guitar; it is a seminal artifact in modern electric guitar history.