AS113BS-B7842 vs RG550RF — Compare
Ibanez AS113BS Artstar B-Stock vs Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar
The AS113BS is a vintage-voiced semi-hollow designed for jazz, blues, and fusion with ergonomic comfort and tonal warmth, while the RG550 RF is a shred-focused solid-body built for speed, high-gain metal, and technical rock. Choose the Artstar if you play genres requiring articulate, vintage character; choose the RG550 if you prioritize fast fretwork and modern aggressive tones.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
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 delivers natural resonance and vintage warmth ideal for jazz and blues
- ✓ Balanced, moderately-sized body reduces fatigue during extended playing sessions
- ✓ Tri-sound switching (series/parallel/single-coil) expands tonal palette across multiple genres
- ✓ B-stock pricing offers premium construction at reduced cost with only cosmetic blemishes
Why choose Ibanez RG550 RF Road Flare Red Electric Guitar
- ✓ Ultra-thin 17mm Super Wizard neck enables maximum speed for shred and technical playing
- ✓ Legendary Edge tremolo system provides extreme dive bombs with reliable pitch return
- ✓ V7/S1/V8 pickup configuration delivers tight high-gain response and aggressive lead tones
- ✓ Japanese-made construction with 24 jumbo frets and 430mm radius fretboard optimized for precision
Frequently asked questions
Which guitar suits metal and hard rock better?
The RG550 RF is purpose-built for metal and hard rock with its tight high-gain response, aggressive V8 bridge pickup, and legendary Edge tremolo system. The AS113BS is explicitly not ideal for metal and focuses on warm, vintage-leaning tones.
Which has a faster neck for lead playing?
The RG550 RF features an ultra-thin 17mm Super Wizard neck engineered specifically for speed, versus the AS113BS Artstar profile which prioritizes comfort for extended playing. The RG550's 24 jumbo frets and narrow 10.8mm string spacing also optimize technical lead work.
What's the main tonal difference between these guitars?
The AS113BS delivers vintage-leaning warmth with articulate clarity from its semi-hollow construction and Super 58 humbuckers, while the RG550 RF offers bright, aggressive, tight high-gain response optimized for modern distortion. The AS113BS excels at moderate-output jazz and blues; the RG550 specializes in metal and shred.
Is the AS113BS B-stock worth buying?
Yes—B-stock means only minor cosmetic blemishes with no impact on playability or sound, while offering premium Ibanez construction at reduced price. This is ideal if you prioritize value and don't mind cosmetic imperfections.