Pontiac Jack
Member
20 years ago,the assistant from my guitar shop (Nobby) and I,decided to go to the States to take in the NHRA Winternationals and have a 2 week guitar safari. Just before we left,I thought I might need some more funds,so in a moment of utter stupidity,I sold my 75 Ibanez Destroyer to one of Nobby's mates for $600. It was my favourite guitar,I loved the neck,I loved the pickups,I loved everything about it. I thought when I got to the States,these thing would be dime a dozen,so I'd pick up a couple dirt cheap and replace the one I had sold.
WRONG!!!!!!!
I only found one in 2 weeks of combing Californian guitar shops and the dude wanted $1100 for it!!!!
We bought a crap load of guitars and parts on that trip,but the replacement Destroyer alluded me.
Over the last 20 years,I have brought and sold about 10 Explorers and Ex style guitars looking for THE ONE.
But nothing has come close to the Iby.
So,last week,I'm doing the rounds of the local Crime Converters and spotted this Tokai.
I picked it up,and BINGO! This is THE ONE!!!
I think it's a 2010 model EX55 in natural finish.
The body is either basswood or alder,depending on which website you believe. Although the one has some really nice figure to it and looks more like Ash. Who knows?.....
It has more in common with the Destroyer than any of the other Explorers I've tried.
The neck is almost identical in feel and profile. The weight and balance are perfect.
The pickups...well....they pretty much suck!
I'll probably drop in a 59/JB combo. But theres a heap of other nice things in the shed that might get tried out too.
Those black speed knobs have to go too.
Anyway,I'll clean her up,do the pickup swap and that'll be it.
The 20 year search is over.
This one's a keeper!!
Cheers,PJ
WRONG!!!!!!!
I only found one in 2 weeks of combing Californian guitar shops and the dude wanted $1100 for it!!!!
We bought a crap load of guitars and parts on that trip,but the replacement Destroyer alluded me.
Over the last 20 years,I have brought and sold about 10 Explorers and Ex style guitars looking for THE ONE.
But nothing has come close to the Iby.
So,last week,I'm doing the rounds of the local Crime Converters and spotted this Tokai.
I picked it up,and BINGO! This is THE ONE!!!
I think it's a 2010 model EX55 in natural finish.
The body is either basswood or alder,depending on which website you believe. Although the one has some really nice figure to it and looks more like Ash. Who knows?.....
It has more in common with the Destroyer than any of the other Explorers I've tried.
The neck is almost identical in feel and profile. The weight and balance are perfect.
The pickups...well....they pretty much suck!
I'll probably drop in a 59/JB combo. But theres a heap of other nice things in the shed that might get tried out too.
Those black speed knobs have to go too.
Anyway,I'll clean her up,do the pickup swap and that'll be it.
The 20 year search is over.
This one's a keeper!!
Cheers,PJ
