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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
Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Ibanez Destroyer DT520 Guitar Review | Guitar Interactive Magazine

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Destroyer DT520 Guitar Review | Guitar Interactive Magazine by Guitar Interactive Magazine

Ibanez Destroyer DT520 Guitar Review | Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Video thumbnail for Ibanez - Limited Edition Destroyer DT520FM-CRS Demo at GAK by GAK

Ibanez - Limited Edition Destroyer DT520FM-CRS Demo at GAK

GAK

GAK

Video thumbnail for Pete Thorn's 1976 Ibanez Destroyer by Premier Guitar

Pete Thorn's 1976 Ibanez Destroyer

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Scott Szeryk - RARE 1975 Ibanez Destroyer (African Korina) - Demonstration by Scott Szeryk

Scott Szeryk - RARE 1975 Ibanez Destroyer (African Korina) - Demonstration

Scott Szeryk

Scott Szeryk

Video thumbnail for Guitar Wishlist 16 Ibanez Destroyer by Three Chord Dave

Guitar Wishlist 16 Ibanez Destroyer

Three Chord Dave

Three Chord Dave

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

  • Lace Nitro Hemi pickups suggested for Ibanez Destroyer with push/pull mod for coil splitting.

    Source
  • 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

  • For missing parts like bridge or tailpiece, generic replacements sourced from eBay can be matched by measurements from resources like StewMac.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner successfully refurbishes guitars despite being a teenager, indicating ease of modification for beginners.

    Source
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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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Value and pricing

  • Some owners have acquired Ibanez Destroyers for as low as $200 from pawn shops, highlighting potential bargains for keen-eyed buyers.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 19 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
skylinerr

nice

I have the one picktured above not the complete explorer copy its a great heavy guitar mixes well with a jcm900 I took the cover off both pickups they werent potted btw but for £600 this was a steal

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Barry Stock uses Ibanez Destroyer

Barry Stock

Guitarist

Three Days Grace

...
Verified via YouTube

At the beginning of the video, Stock is playing on his Ibanez Destroyer.

See how Steve Clark uses Ibanez Destroyer

Steve Clark

Guitarist

Def Leppard

...
Verified via Photo

The photo from Steveclarkguitar shows Steve Clark with a black Ibanez Destroyer, highlighting its presence in his gear collection.

See how Nick Hipa uses Ibanez Destroyer

Nick Hipa

Guitarist

As I Lay Dying

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post captioned "Enter Sandman please," Nick Hipa is seen playing an Ibanez Destroyer.

See how Miland Petrozza uses Ibanez Destroyer

Miland Petrozza

Singer, Guitarist

Kreator

...
Verified via YouTube

Mille can be seen playing an Ibanez Destroyer back in the mid 80s.

See how Quorthon uses Ibanez Destroyer

Quorthon

Singer, Guitarist

Bathory

...
Verified via Imgur

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

See how Tommy Bolin uses Ibanez Destroyer

Tommy Bolin

Guitarist

Deep Purple

...
Verified via Treblebooster

Discover how Tommy Bolin achieved his signature sound with the Ibanez Destroyer by exploring the detailed insights provided on Treblebooster.

See how Kid Congo Powers uses Ibanez Destroyer

Kid Congo Powers

Guitarist

The Cramps

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Wes Hauch uses Ibanez Destroyer

Wes Hauch

Guitarist

The Faceless

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Black

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.

See how Jeff "Mantas" Dunn uses Ibanez Destroyer

Jeff "Mantas" Dunn

Guitarist

Venom

...
Verified via guitarworld

Mantas talks about his gear in this article

See how Jani Liimatainen uses Ibanez Destroyer

Jani Liimatainen

Guitarist

Sonata Arctica

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Jani Liimatainen can be seen using his Ibanez Destroyer DT200 Custom, which has a red finish and pills.

See how Tim Howley uses Ibanez Destroyer

Tim Howley

Guitarist

Fit for an Autopsy

...
Verified via Photo

In this post, Tim can be seen playing his Ibanez destroyer

See how Pappo uses Ibanez Destroyer

Pappo

Singer, Guitarist

Pappo's Blues

...
Verified via Taringa

Pappo utilizó este durante la primer etapa de Riff, entre 1980 y 1983. Esta guitarra, que fué destruida y restaurada, pasó por manos de Stuka (ex violadores) y Sergio Berdichevsky (ex Rata Blanca, actual Nativo).

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.

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Community setups

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lminiero

lminiero

Gear IQ 796

jimmyarmenta

jimmyarmenta

Gear IQ 61

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