Gibson Explorer vs Ibanez Destroyer

[sixstringking713]

Looking to purchase an explorer/destroyer. Gibson Explorer vs Ibanez Destroyer, which is better and why?

 

[chunktone]

Hamer.

 

[SandyRavage]

I am much more partial to the explorers and have had two that were absolutely mint. If you can find the older LTD lawsuit models they can be had for around 500-700 and are every bit as nice as either.

 

[kerryk]

Hamer.

Yup

 

[sixstringking713]

I'll check out a hamer, I have never played one but I have heard good things. Since warmoth wont make them explorer bodies anymore, are there any other vendors that sell custom explorer bodies with a floyd rose bridge option?

 

[sixstringking713]

Theres a used one at GC for $900 w/ 57 classic humbuckers. Is this a good deal? Are there any problems through the years with explorers? Is there anything I should look for in particular with the guitar before buying it? Did the explorers always come with the 500T ceramic pickups stock or did that change through the years?


any advice is appreciated, might buy this guitar @ GC tomorrow or monday if it plays well. Does GC negotiate on used gear?

 

[James Lugo]

I played a couple of Ibanez Destroyers at Ash the other day and thought they were awesome. They looked great too. I've been a bit obsessed with early Def lately and dig Phil's guitar and was thinking of getting one to play in my band but the thing about all those types of guitars when hanging from a strap they rotate slightly forward, like the top of the guitar pitches forward like it wants to go end over end. I'm a hopeless Les Paul guy.

 

[ibenhad]

Own both a Gibson Explorer in natural (2004 I think) and 2 Ibanez Destroyers. The Gibson is a more solid feeling and sounding instrument but the Ibby's play better. I love the older ibby necks. Unfortunately both of mine were the red sparkle/metal flake like the one Adrian Smith used and back in the day I sanded one down and painted it white. Looks like shit but still plays awesome. The ibbys are also bolt on necks at least the 2 I have. Good luck in your search if you can find the flamed maple top Destroyer like the V in my avatar buy it. They are really sweet guitars. If you weren't so far away I would let you check out the ibby against the gibby to compare. Hell I might even sell my gibby as I never play the thing.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

I played a couple of Ibanez Destroyers at Ash the other day and thought they were awesome. They looked great too. I've been a bit obsessed with early Def lately and dig Phil's guitar and was thinking of getting one to play in my band but the thing about all those types of guitars when hanging from a strap they rotate slightly forward, like the top of the guitar pitches forward like it wants to go end over end. I'm a hopeless Les Paul guy.

Sure it's not your beer belly?



I started on Explorers and Destroyers, so can't get along with anything else.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Theres a used one at GC for $900 w/ 57 classic humbuckers. Is this a good deal? Are there any problems through the years with explorers? Is there anything I should look for in particular with the guitar before buying it? Did the explorers always come with the 500T ceramic pickups stock or did that change through the years?


any advice is appreciated, might buy this guitar @ GC tomorrow or monday if it plays well. Does GC negotiate on used gear?

If it plays good and you like, maybe grab it. At 900 you might try to make them throw in a 500 pickup along with the it.


Newer Explorers since they started Pleking, play a lot better than the older ones. However I don't know what year they started to Plek?


For newish guitars in the 800 to 1200 range, if you can't find a Plek'd Explorer, my guess is the LTD Snakebyte might be the best guitar for the money.

I like and have 2 bolt on Destroyers, one is great and other is meh. Anyways the Destroyer out now looks cool, but if it's made in china it's way over priced.

 

[sixstringking713]

Own both a Gibson Explorer in natural (2004 I think) and 2 Ibanez Destroyers. The Gibson is a more solid feeling and sounding instrument but the Ibby's play better. I love the older ibby necks. Unfortunately both of mine were the red sparkle/metal flake like the one Adrian Smith used and back in the day I sanded one down and painted it white. Looks like shit but still plays awesome. The ibbys are also bolt on necks at least the 2 I have. Good luck in your search if you can find the flamed maple top Destroyer like the V in my avatar buy it. They are really sweet guitars. If you weren't so far away I would let you check out the ibby against the gibby to compare. Hell I might even sell my gibby as I never play the thing.

haha thanks. Funny your account says you're in upstate NY, I actually just moved to Los Angeles from upstate new york, binghamton area..

There is an explorer in a GC here for $900 and comes with classic 57 pickups and it looks like it has kluson tuners on it. Is that odd that it has different tuners on it? What years were the "best" for newer explorers?

I'd like to try out an ibanez destroyer but I cant find many around me right now for sale

 

[sixstringking713]

Theres a used one at GC for $900 w/ 57 classic humbuckers. Is this a good deal? Are there any problems through the years with explorers? Is there anything I should look for in particular with the guitar before buying it? Did the explorers always come with the 500T ceramic pickups stock or did that change through the years?


any advice is appreciated, might buy this guitar @ GC tomorrow or monday if it plays well. Does GC negotiate on used gear?

If it plays good and you like, maybe grab it. At 900 you might try to make them throw in a 500 pickup along with the it.


Newer Explorers since they started Pleking, play a lot better than the older ones. However I don't know what year they started to Plek?


For newish guitars in the 800 to 1200 range, if you can't find a Plek'd Explorer, my guess is the LTD Snakebyte might be the best guitar for the money.

I like and have 2 bolt on Destroyers, one is great and other is meh. Anyways the Destroyer out now looks cool, but if it's made in china it's way over priced.

yeah I actually wanted the 57 classic pickups instead of the stock ones so I'm actually fine with it. I wanna see the guitar in person tho and see how it plays obviously. Might swing over there later today. it looks kind of beat up so maybe they'll drop the price

 

[Aristocat]

Nashua, NH GC has a used Destroyer (black/new) for 600.

Looked damn good. They also have an original 1964 Firebird if you feel like spending 6400 lol.

 

[Heritage Softail]

90 days is the line in the sand for most GC stores to deal on used.

Nice looking guitar.

I have the ESP version of an Explorer. Something about carrying massive wood...

 

[barnesjd]

I'm a Gibson snob, so I won't be addressing that part of your question. I personally wouldn't pony up the $900. It's a tad high. You can get an Explorer as low as $700 w/ HSC on ebay (yes I know ebay is evil and it's risky to buy without playing... just to give a ball park of the lowest you can expect to pay) Maybe see if you can get outta there with it for $800 flat.

 

[sixstringking713]

I'm a Gibson snob, so I won't be addressing that part of your question. I personally wouldn't pony up the $900. It's a tad high. You can get an Explorer as low as $700 w/ HSC on ebay (yes I know ebay is evil and it's risky to buy without playing... just to give a ball park of the lowest you can expect to pay) Maybe see if you can get outta there with it for $800 flat.

I agree, I was going to try for $800

 

[sixstringking713]

does anyone find it strange it has kluson tuners on it instead of the stock mini grovers?

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Don't know about the Kluson?


The Grovers look good, but the gear ration is too fast and not that great to tune with.

 

[sixstringking713]

Is there a site that lists the changes on the gibson explorer through the years? I am having a hard time finding a site with that information..

gibsons site lists the new explorer model to use granadillo as the fretboard wood. But I thought it was typically rosewood? What year did they switch to granadillo as the fretboard wood?

 

[Heritage Softail]

Killer deal on Gibson Explorer upgraded with EMG Het Set!

I have a Het Set in my Snakebyte. Amazing active pups.

Guitar looks cool as hell too...

http://used.samashmusic.com/item.php?id=30450