Andy Lawrence
Subject:
An awesome heavy shred monster!!!!
Quality:
I have 3 Ibanez indonesian made guitars: 2 RG6EXFX w/ EMGs and Wizard II neckthru and the Destroyer. One of the RGs had a few deficiencies and was not worth keeping, but this one is as good as any Japanese made guitar. It doesn't come with a case, so you will need the DTT100C case for it. I ordered both from AMS.
Sound:
The DiMarzio Activator X pickups are now my favorite DiMarzio pickup. I traditionally play active EMGs, Seymour Duncan Blackouts, other active electronics, but these are the best passive pickups made by DiMarzio. I have played DiMarzio PAF Pro's, Evolutions, X2N, Super Distortions, D-activators and Tone Zones. The DiMarzio Activator X pickups sound like PAF pros with 50% more gain, super tight bottom end for all the chunk riffs you can stand, smooth and buttery high end like evolutions, and enriched harmonics and power of the X2N. They clean up nice when you roll back the volume knob, and the string clarity shines through in every possible position of the fretboard or toggle switch. In my opinion, they are the best passive pickups on the market.
Reliability:
Only had it for 2 months, but I play it for 2 hours every day. It has a great finish that cleans up really nice with a little polish.
Overall:
This is by far the best Destroyer model ever made. I am a Jackson Kelly USA fan though and through, but half the price, the Destroyer is the best Explorer body style on the market in terms of value for price. The inlays are to die for and the DiMarzio D Activator X pickups are awesome at just about every style of music from shred to clean. The Wizard II neckthru is awesome for sustain, but for a metal guitar, 24 frets is needed. Recommend this guitar if you play a lot of Drop D or Drop C tunings because then you have no need of the 24th fret.
Playability and Feel:
It is heavier than an RG or Stat body style. If you like Explorer/Kelly style guitars, you know what I am talking about. Once again, the Wizard II neck thru is awesome, I do not like bolt on necks. I think one volume and one tone would have been a better setup for this guitar. This is a definite drawback and the reason why I waited 6 months before buying this guitar. I absolutely do not like individual volume controls for each pickup, a master volume and tone is definitely better. Taking this into consideration, the Destroyer's crowning glories definitely outweigh this sole deficiency.
Tone:
The DiMarzio D Activator X pickups are the clear MVPs here. I have played guitar for 20 years and these are by far the best passive pickups available on the market. They are as strong, better sounding and less noise than EMG 81/85s and have more tonal character than Seymour Duncan Blackouts. I would definitely recommend these pickups to anyone.
Finish:
The paint job is even more beautiful than the picture suggests. The back of the guitar is solid black, while the headstock and body are metallic silverburst fade to black. This is really a beautiful guitar.
Action:
The action was a bit high, but a couple of quick turns on the Gibraltar fixed it immediately. The Gibralter bridge is the best fixed bridge available (tone pros suck in my opinion!)with only one downside: individual string heights adjustments are not possible, but the neck and fret board were straight so I didn't need it. I think Ibanez would have a winner if they would make a 24 fret version of the same Destroyer equipped with an Edge III or zero tremolo system.
Do you own this product?:
Yes, I purchased it from AMS in January 2010.
Date submitted:
6 March 2010
Matt Clements from Grenada, MS, USA
Subject:
Ibanez Destroyer Silverburst
Quality:
Body is awesome. Ibanez always comes short on electronics though. Loose pots and input had to be adjusted.
Reliability:
Only had it for a week. Can't really say.
Overall:
I really like this guitar. Mainly because I've always wanted and explorer and I love silverburst finishes. As I've said earlier, unless you are buying a Prestige, don't expect great soldering on your electronics. I play Ibanez exclusively so I'm not trying to knock the brand. It's just the truth.
Playability and Feel:
This guitar was much heavier than I thought it would be. It's the HEAVIEST Ibanez I've ever played. That's not a bad thing though. Weighs as much or more than a Gibson Explorer. The setup was awesome, though this strings that came with it are too small for my personal preference. Plays like a dream. Smooth and no dead spots.
Tone:
I think abrasive would be the right word here as far as the bridge pick up goes. Not warm at all, but the Dimarzio's in it aren't built to be warm either. The neck pickup suprised me though. Awesome clean and lead tone. I will probably get a different bridge bucker unless it grows on me in the next few weeks. Gets squeals like a stuck pig!
Finish:
Finish was great. Very "sparkly". Not transparent at all. Matching headstock :). Lots of chrome. Very sharp looking IMO. Can't believe I have a silverburst explorer. Been a long time waiting.
Do you own this product?:
Yes