Best Destroyer for the $?

[zionstrat]

Hey guys.. sold off all my short scales and need to get something back in the pack. I've mainly played SGs but I've enjoyed messing with destroyers over the years I'm think it might be time to give one a try

With that in mind, I'm looking for the best value on an original style destroyer for rock and blues. I play through traditional Marshall and fender style amps.

I haven't been impressed by Gibson in decades and not sure about Epiphone, so I'm probably looking at everything else, unless you guys can think of a particularly good example.

And it wouldn't be a deal breaker, but I love D profiles... Every destroyer I've ever played had a thin neck but I'm just starting my search and I'm open to any and all thoughts.

 

[DCikes88]

Looks cool, real cheap. Nice base to upgrade something. HBs have a great reputation for quality for the price.

Good luck in your search!

 

[zionstrat]

Wow, that's a lot a lot less than I was thinking.. but I have heard good things about Harley Benton. And it gets good reviews and it sounds close to a d style!... but I could easily go up to 800 if that gets me more options.

Much thanks!

 

[DCikes88]

Woah, with 800 you have options man. You can get this thing brand new, upgrade whatever you want and have cash to spare, OR if you're NA based, and have a smidge of patience browsing used stuff, CL and such, I'm sure you can get as close as it gets to the real deal.

Anywho, when you do get it, post pics. NGD threads are like candy shops for us kids

 

[JamesPaul]

Just get 2 Harley Bentons and still have some change left over!

 

[Securb]

I have been looking at Explorers of late. I did look at the Harley Benton. I also looked at the ESP LTD EX-200. I haven't played either so I can not speak to the tone or quality but both are worth investigating.


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LEX200BLK--esp-ltd-ex-200-black

 

[Aceman]

How impressed do you want to be?

I'd say go Epiphone.

But - I also agree try a Harley Benton first!

 

[Wattage]

Man I might get one of those HB's and Clapton the shit out of it

 

[Wattage]

The Dean Z '79 Mahogany is pretty cool but you have to like the headstocks obviously

 

[zionstrat]

I was a car is freak so I loved Dean's as a kid! Will check it out, thank you so much.

 

[Wattage]

Those ads with The Cars in GP were big. I had an original E'Lite in Blueburst I kick myself for selling.

 

[JamesPaul]

This is my best for the $. Got this Ibanez DT420 RI from Forum Bro JeffB. I was a little worried as it has a SuperD in the bridge, and I had never owned a DiMarzio. But I figured if Ace plays them, it would be okay.

One of my low quality cell phon pics here:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-guitar-shop/328367-ngd-yo-adrian?p=5550914#post5550914

And a quality pic from JeffB here:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/for...yer-appreciation-thread?p=1730571#post1730571

 

[Aceman]

This is not cheap per se, but you know you want it

https://reverb.com/item/59159861-iba...-ii-1984-black

 

[zionstrat]

Dude, you're evil! Don't listen to Ace, don't listen to Ace, don't listen to Ace

And now that I've come back to my senses, I really may do the Benton... Sounds like a good stable platform to trick out and I've got a PG just sitting here

 

[zionstrat]

This is my best for the $. Got this Ibanez DT420 RI from Forum Bro JeffB. I was a little worried as it has a SuperD in the bridge, and I had never owned a DiMarzio. But I figured if Ace plays them, it would be okay.

One of my low quality cell phon pics here:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-guitar-shop/328367-ngd-yo-adrian?p=5550914#post5550914

And a quality pic from JeffB here:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/for...yer-appreciation-thread?p=1730571#post1730571

Hey thanks for the suggestion.. but if I'm understanding correctly they are basswood and I'm pretty sure I would need Korina or mahogany to get the sounds I'm looking for.. but is yours basswood and what does your sound like?

 

[JamesPaul]

Hey thanks for the suggestion.. but if I'm understanding correctly they are basswood and I'm pretty sure I would need Korina or mahogany to get the sounds I'm looking for.. but is yours basswood and what does your sound like?

It is a basswood body, and a bolt-on maple neck.

It would not be my first choice for Blues, but it is good for Rock and 80's Metal.

I have not had it out to play since October 2019. I mostly play it at a benefit show which has not been happening. It is probably closest to one of my Fenders with a humbucker. I have been rotating through those since the pandemic, so I will break it out and post back.

 

[Chistopher]

It's not the best for the money, but I still believe the Zumwalt DDG-1000 to be a more than viable destroyer moving forward.

 

[DCikes88]

It's not the best for the money, but I still believe the Zumwalt DDG-1000 to be a more than viable destroyer moving forward.

It's a bit out of my budget and I'm not personally a fan of the finish (suppose that can be sanded down), but other than that, it sure is a fine destroyer.

 

[Chris Pile]

If you're still considering Destroyers, pay attention to the model and the year of manufacture. Ibanez made bolt-on necks, glued in necks, some with Fender scale lengths, and some with Gibson scale lengths. Consult an Ibanez Wiki for more info...

 

[chadd]

You can probably find a Schecter E-1 in your price range if you look hard enough.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/S...kq8H6LMSEY7PyI3ziuYd7opC6nz7R09hoC62oQAvD_BwE