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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.

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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.

    Source

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.

    Source
  • 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

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See how Eddie Ojeda uses Ibanez Destroyer

Eddie Ojeda

Guitarist

Twisted Sister

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"French (left) and Ojeda in 1976 with their then-new (and matching!) Ibanez Destroyers, which French recalls as renowned for being near-exact copies of Gibson’s korina-bodied Explorer. French/Ojeda in ’76: Michael Kagan, courtesy of Jay Jay French."

See how Kavus Torabi uses Ibanez Destroyer

Kavus Torabi

Singer, Guitarist

Cardiacs

...
Verified via Photo

Kavus Torabi is seen with an Ibanez Destroyer in his Twitter profile picture as of January 10, 2017.

See how John Seagall uses Ibanez Destroyer

John Seagall

Guitarist

Twisted Sister

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

In an interview with Vintage Guitar® magazine, John Seagall is mentioned using the Ibanez Destroyer.

See how Devin Shidaker uses Ibanez Destroyer

Devin Shidaker

Guitarist

The Acacia Strain

...
Verified via Photo

In this post devin shows off his ibanez destroyer models

See how Seth Putnam uses Ibanez Destroyer

Seth Putnam

Singer, Guitarist

Anal Cunt

...
Verified via YouTube

Seth used an Ibanez Destroyer when he played "Kyle From Incantation Has A Mustache" at an Incantation show, this same guitar was also used as a backup guitar by Josh Martin on AxCx tours.

See how Danny Marino uses Ibanez Destroyer

Danny Marino

Guitarist

The Agonist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, you can see Danny holding two of his Ibanez Destroyers, the first is a black version and the other is the lemon drop finish.

See how Mike Dimkich uses Ibanez Destroyer

Mike Dimkich

Guitarist

Bad Religion

...
Verified via Photo

In this post brian baker shows off an ibanez destroyer. He states that this belongs to mike. This particular guitar is a 1976 model

See how John Connelly uses Ibanez Destroyer

John Connelly

Singer, Guitarist

Anthrax

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Black Year: 1980s

At 0:51 in Cherry Red Records’ YouTube video “Nuclear Assault - Radiation Sickness (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, 1987),” John Connelly can be seen using an Ibanez Destroyer.

See how Paul Templing uses Ibanez Destroyer

Paul Templing

Singer, Guitarist

Gloryhammer

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram post, Paul mentions using this guitar for touring

See how Keith Alexander uses Ibanez Destroyer

Keith Alexander

Singer, Guitarist

Carnivore

...
Verified via YouTube

This guitar was most likely used for many of carnivores live shows and probably Keith's favorite guitar ,was in a sunburst paint job and is fuckin awesome

See how Olof Wikstrand uses Ibanez Destroyer

Olof Wikstrand

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Olof Wikstrand uses an Ibanez Destroyer as one of his main guitars. This can be seen in the music video for the song "Destroyer." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4785h6JSqNc&ab_channel=NuclearBlastRecords

See how K.K. Warslut uses Ibanez Destroyer

K.K. Warslut

Guitarist, Bassist

Deströyer 666

...
Verified via Photo

K.K. Warslut can be seen using an Ibanez Destroyer guitar in an image from an unspecified live concert, as evidenced by the photograph available on Equipboard.

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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