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Description
The Ibanez Destroyer is more than just an electric guitar—it's a statement of power and style. Crafted for those who dare to make a sonic impact, this solid body electric guitar combines aggressive aesthetics with exceptional playability. The radical reverse mahogany body not only turns heads but also contributes to the guitar's rich, resonant tone. A fast mahogany neck paired with a bound rosewood fingerboard ensures you're ready to shred with ease and precision.
At the heart of the Destroyer's sonic prowess are the DiMarzio humbuckers—an Air Norton at the neck and a Tone Zone at the bridge. These pickups offer a versatile range from warm, expressive tones to full-throttle rock mayhem, making it perfect for any musical setting. The Air Norton delivers deep, articulate sounds without losing clarity, while the Tone Zone offers a broad dynamic range, letting you transition from clean to crunchy with ease.
The guitar's stunning pearl/abalone block inlays add a touch of elegance to its raw, rock-and-roll persona. Whether you're playing on stage or in the studio, the Ibanez Destroyer is designed to capture attention and deliver uncompromising sound quality. With its Tight-Tune bridge and stoptail, you’re guaranteed stability and sustain, allowing you to focus purely on your performance.
Key Features:
- Radical reverse mahogany body
- Fast mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard
- 22 jumbo frets with pearl/abalone block inlays
- DiMarzio Air Norton (neck) and Tone Zone (bridge) humbuckers
- Tight-Tune bridge and stoptail
- Sure Grip III control knobs and chrome hardware
Videos
Guitar Interactive Magazine
Ibanez Destroyer DT520 Guitar Review | Guitar Interactive Magazine
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Destroyer.
Mods and upgrades
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Lace Nitro Hemi pickups suggested for Ibanez Destroyer with push/pull mod for coil splitting.
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Solderless EMG kits recommended for ease of installation and Metallica-like sound.
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Irongear Hammer Heads praised for high gain and aesthetic similarity to SD Invaders, offering a budget-friendly option.
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Installing DiMarzio Double Cream Super Distortion pickups is a popular modification, with reports of enhanced sound quality from users who have tried it.
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Setup and maintenance
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For missing parts like bridge or tailpiece, generic replacements sourced from eBay can be matched by measurements from resources like StewMac.
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User experience
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One owner successfully refurbishes guitars despite being a teenager, indicating ease of modification for beginners.
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Owners appreciate the Destroyer's lighter weight, making it easier to play compared to heavier models like the Gibson E2 Explorer.
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Owners appreciate the sleek feel and aesthetic appeal of the Ibanez Destroyer's big knobs, contributing to a satisfying playing experience.
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Comparisons
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The Ibanez Destroyer is reportedly more versatile than the Gibson E2 Explorer, featuring a lighter weight and the pickup configuration of a hot V2 bridge and Super58 neck.
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Some players favor the Ibanez Destroyer over the Gibson Explorer, suggesting a preference for its unique style and playability.
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Features and functionality
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Matched Super70 pickups in the Destroyer are praised as excellent PAF copies by Maxon, enhancing its tonal versatility.
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Use cases and applications
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The Destroyer balances well when played both sitting and standing, offering versatility for different playing styles, unlike lighter V-shaped guitars.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 19 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
The photo from Steveclarkguitar shows Steve Clark with a black Ibanez Destroyer, highlighting its presence in his gear collection.
In an Instagram post captioned "Enter Sandman please," Nick Hipa is seen playing an Ibanez Destroyer.
The Equipment: This was really hard to find out but here’s what I got: Quorthon primarily played Ibanez Destroyer I guitars, as well as Gibson Flying Vs or Gibson Les Pauls. Most of his guitars were equipped with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups, which would result in a very classic metal tone. In terms of amps, I’ve read he uses Marshalls Yamaha and Orange but no specific models are listed.
Quote from https://gearspotting.com/musiciangear/32/: "My old Ibanez Destroyer I is almost impossible to use these days. It has otherwise been on every BATHORY album since 1984 but it has also been heavily abused by yours truthfully..."
I believe Quorthon was mistaken, the Destroyer I was an almost exact copy of the Gibson Explorer. His guitar was actually a Destroyer II manufactured from 1981, it was originally fire red before he painted it black.
More information on the Ibanez Destroyer series: https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/Portal:Destroyer_series
Discover how Tommy Bolin achieved his signature sound with the Ibanez Destroyer by exploring the detailed insights provided on Treblebooster.
Du spieltest da eine Gitarre mit einem Fledermaus-Stencil.
Oh ja, das war eine Ibanez Explorer oder eine Destroyer oder so was in der Art. Es war die Kopie einer Gibson, mit so einer Art Biker-Fledermaus als Deko. The CRAMPS hatten diese Gitarre bereits, ich habe sie also nicht gekauft, sie wurde mir überlassen. Und sie hatten eine Gibson Explorer mit derselben Form. Die Ibanez war nur eine andere Marke und ich hatte sie während meiner gesamten Zeit mit den CRAMPS.
https://www.ox-fanzine.de/interview/kid-congo-powers-5773
In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI6_LBHR8nc&t=914s) at 19:04, Kid Congo can be seen (despite the poor quality) playing with this Ibanez Destroyer.
In the 3rd photo in a post shared by Stijn Raepsaet and Max Lavelle on Instagram, Wes Hauch is seen using an Ibanez Destroyer during a performance by the Black Dahlia Murder in Brussels.
In this photo, Jani Liimatainen can be seen using his Ibanez Destroyer DT200 Custom, which has a red finish and pills.
Album Usage
The Ibanez Destroyer has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez Destroyer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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