Ibanez Explorer Guitars

The Ibanez Explorer is actually just an Explorer shaped guitar. It is actually called the Ibanez Destroyer. It has been reviewed on a few other guitar forums around the net, but we are hoping for some contribution here in our guitar forum.

These guitars are fairly common but I've never personally owned one. I do have a friend who gigged with his sunbuurst Destroyer, and never uttered a discouraging word (if you know what I mean).

About Ibanez Explorers

The Ibanez Destroyer is considered to be an Explorer copy. It mimicks the shape of the Gibson Explorer so much that it has fooled or confused many an accomplished musician.

The Destroyer was well represented by professional rock bands in their hey-day. The most notable of these celebrities is of course, Phil Colen from def Leppard. His black and white Destroyer lives on forever thanks to its sound and the music that was created with it.

Many fans of the band, including musicians, commonly refered to this particular guitar as Phil Colen's Explorer, not realizing there was not an ounce of Gibson in that weapon.

The guitar itself is well built, sturdy, and able to survive decades of hard rock. This is the impression I get from reading reviews splattered all over the web. In general, it seems guitarists have nothing bad to say about the guitar in terms of the action, sound, and feel.

If you visit ibanez.com for the latest info on their current models, you will notice the Destroyer is absent form their product line. It seems an Explorer copy is not available from the kings of monster guitars, maybe that will change in the future, we'll have to wait and see.

This is all the specific info I have right now but if you'd like to add to this description I'd appreciate any information on Ibanez ownership. I'm looking for descriptions, pictures, production years, availablilty, and that sort of info. If you can help out, please do.

Ibanez Explorer Forum

Stand by for the retun of the Ibanez guitar forum...

Ibanez for Dummies

For the humans who are unfamiliar with the Ibanez brand, this is what I call "Ibanez for dummies". The history of Ibanez guitars dates back to the early 1900s, but the company's journey as a guitar manufacturer, especially under the name "Ibanez," began in the 1950s.

In 1957, the first Ibanez-branded electric guitars were produced. These early electric guitars often resembled popular American models from companies like Fender and Gibson.

In the 1970s, Ibanez gained recognition for producing high-quality replicas of popular American guitars, including Stratocaster and Les Paul models. These "lawsuit era" guitars were known for their craftsmanship and accurate replication of the original designs. Then in 1975 the Ibanez brand gained wider popularity with the introduction of its own original guitar designs, such as the Ibanez Iceman and the Artist series.

In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Ibanez gained significant success and popularity in the rock and metal music scene due to endorsements from prominent guitarists like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Paul Gilbert.

Ibanez guitars are produced by Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd., which is a private company based in Nagoya, Japan. Hoshino Gakki is the parent company that manufactures and distributes guitars under the Ibanez brand name, among other musical instruments.

The headquarters of Hoshino Gakki Co., the company that manufactures and distributes Ibanez guitars, is located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Nagoya is a major city in Japan and serves as a significant hub for various industries, including musical instrument manufacturing.

They are a well-established and renowned guitar manufacturer, so Ibanez has a global distribution network for its instruments. Ibanez guitars are distributed and sold in many countries around the world through authorized dealers, music stores, and online retailers. They have a strong presence in various regions, making their instruments easily accessible to musicians and guitar enthusiasts worldwide.

Having a widespread distribution network allows Ibanez to reach a broad customer base and cater to the diverse needs of guitar players across different regions and markets. This global distribution also contributes to their popularity and reputation as a leading guitar brand internationally.

Ibanez Pros and Cons

As with any popular guitar brand, Ibanez has received both positive feedback and occasional complaints from guitar players and customers; that's right, the pros and cons. It's essential to note that individual experiences can vary, and what might be a complaint for one person might not be an issue for another. Some of the common complaints or criticisms about Ibanez guitars include:

1. Quality Control: Some players have reported issues with quality control, particularly on entry-level or mid-range models. This could include minor cosmetic flaws, sharp fret ends, or issues with setup and playability.
2. Pickup Quality: Some players feel that the stock pickups on certain Ibanez models may not meet their tonal preferences and might prefer to upgrade them to aftermarket options.
3. Thin Neck Profile: While many players appreciate Ibanez guitars' fast and slim neck profiles, some guitarists prefer a thicker neck and find the Ibanez necks less comfortable.
4. Price: Some customers feel that certain Ibanez models are relatively expensive compared to similar guitars from other brands.
5. Tremolo Stability: Ibanez guitars equipped with floating tremolo systems (like the Edge and Edge Pro) might require more precise setup and tuning stability, which can be a challenge for some players.
6. Variability: As Ibanez produces a wide range of guitar models, some players find that the quality and feel can vary between different models and production batches.
7. Availability: Depending on the region, some players might find it challenging to find specific Ibanez models in their local music stores due to limited availability.

It's crucial to remember that many players are satisfied with their Ibanez guitars and appreciate their playability, design, and tone. Ibanez has a strong reputation for making high-quality instruments, and they are widely used across various music genres. How about the pros of owning an Ibanez?

Musicians love Ibanez guitars for several reasons, and their popularity is a result of the brand's commitment to quality, innovation, and catering to the diverse needs of players. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to the love musicians have for Ibanez guitars:

1. Playability: Ibanez is renowned for its fast and slim neck profiles, making their guitars incredibly comfortable and easy to play, especially for those who prefer faster playing styles like shredding and intricate soloing.
2. Versatility: Ibanez offers a wide range of guitar models that cover various musical genres, from rock and metal to jazz and fusion. Their versatility appeals to musicians who play different styles and need an instrument that can handle a diverse range of tones and techniques.
3. Innovative Design: Ibanez has a history of pushing the boundaries of guitar design and introducing innovative features. They were among the first to popularize seven-string guitars for extended range playing and have continued to experiment with new technologies and materials to improve their instruments.
4. Tremolo Systems: Ibanez's floating tremolo systems, like the Edge and Edge Pro, are well-regarded for their stability and smooth operation, allowing for expressive whammy bar techniques without significant tuning issues.
5. Build Quality: Ibanez guitars are generally known for their solid construction and attention to detail. From their entry-level models to high-end signature guitars, Ibanez maintains a reputation for producing instruments that stand up to rigorous playing and touring.
6. Signature Models: Ibanez has collaborated with numerous renowned guitarists to create signature models tailored to their specific preferences and playing styles. These signature guitars are highly sought after by fans of those musicians.
7. Affordability: While Ibanez offers high-end and premium models, they also have a wide range of affordable guitars that provide excellent value for money, making them accessible to musicians of varying budgets.
8. Aesthetics: Ibanez guitars often feature striking and visually appealing designs, attracting musicians who appreciate both performance and aesthetics.
9. Endorsements: Many notable guitarists, especially in the rock and metal genres, use Ibanez guitars, contributing to their popularity among fans who want to emulate their musical heroes.

Overall, the combination of playability, innovation, and diverse offerings makes Ibanez guitars highly desirable among musicians across different genres and skill levels.

The Ibanez Version of the Explorer

Ibanez, like many other guitar manufacturers, has produced their own original designs that may have some similarities to the Explorer body shape. They may refer to such guitars with similar designs as "Explorer-style" guitars or by using specific model names.

The term "Explorer" is associated with a distinct guitar body shape that was originally designed by Gibson in the late 1950s. The Gibson Explorer is known for its angular and futuristic design, characterized by sharp edges and symmetrical wings.

The Ibenez verion of the Explorer was the named the "Destroyer". The Ibanez Destroyer is a model of electric guitar that was originally introduced by Ibanez in the late 1970s. It is one of Ibanez's iconic and distinctive guitar designs, inspired by the Gibson Explorer and the Gibson Moderne. The Ibanez Destroyer features a sharp and angular body shape with pointed ends and is known for its bold and aggressive appearance.

The original Destroyer models from the late '70s were popular among rock and metal guitarists due to their unique design and powerful tones. Over the years, Ibanez has produced various iterations of the Destroyer, offering different features, finishes, and pickups to cater to a wide range of players and musical styles.

The Ibanez Destroyer typically features a solid body construction, often made of mahogany or other tonewoods, and it is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, which contribute to its powerful and versatile sound.

Other Explorer style guitars...

See also: Agile | Aria Pro | Cort | Dean | Dommenget | Epiphone | ESP | Gordon Smith | Hamer | Ibanez | Jackson | Kramer | LTD | O Hagan | Peavey | Tokai