The story behind the guitar is really not that spectacular, but the result were. The guitar started out as just a regular RG 550 I bought off Ebay. It did have the Desert Sun Yellow finish that is so hard to find these days and I was debating with myself weather to leave it or to do the custom I had always wanted. September 2000: I decided to go ahead with the project and contacted GMW Guitars (http://www.gmwguitars.com).

Lee Garver is the owner/operator of the shop and I spoke at length with him on the phone about my many options. About an hour later, we had the details ironed out and the body, pick guard and pickups were sent off. January 2001: After many months of waiting the body arrived. I couldn't believe my eyes. The finish was outstanding. Come to find out, the "Dan" Lee kept referring to was none other than Dan Lawrence. "Who is he?" you ask. Well, all you Ibanez USA Custom Graphic Series buffs will know the name. He was one of 4 artists chosen by Ibanez in '91 '92 to do custom art work for the USA Customs. He's the one that painted the rare "Angels Depart" pencil graphic. He is also the one who did the even more rare "Dante's Eagle" that now proudly hangs on my wall.

The neck was bought during the finish process from Kirk Slossar, It was originally bolted to an RG 517. I think it's much happier where it is now... The pickups are stock Ibanez V8, S1, V7 pickups. The switch is a Stew Mac MegaSwitch with the middle pickup there for looks only. It's not wired in. Black hardware and white DiMarzio clip-lock strap finish the look. Setup was not your standard setup. All I did was assemble the parts, string it up, set the truss rod and BAMM!!. The intonation was less than 2 cents on every string and the action was perfect. It really does scream. I did set the pickup height a little low to prevent the strings from banging against the painted pickups. It has become my all time favorite guitar and will be with me for a very long time...or until someone offers a kidney for it =o) J. VeuCasovic