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Strat78
Username: Strat78

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:23 pm:   

Hi Jim I posted the same question over in another thread here but the Captain seems to be missing so I'll post this here too. I grew up with the whole Edward Van Halen/korina Destroyer story but the more I learn about these guitars the more I realize that it is more than likely that he never owned a Destroyer. I bought a Destroyer and absolutely adore the guitar but resent having had to pay so much for it because of this rumored VH connection. I put together some photos showing why I feel his guitar was not a Destroyer. The first photo shows an 80,s Destroyer with a set neck. There is a ridge on this guitar at the heal of the neck joint like all the other 80's Destroyers I have seen. However on all the 70's Destroyer (Explorer clones) I have seen have a flush neck joint at the heal. The last photo shows the neck joint on Edwards "Destroyer". It has a ridge like the original Gibson Explorers and the later Ibanez Destroyers but not like the actual 70's Destroyers! My question is, were some of the 70's Destroyers made with that ridge at the heal of the neck joint and some not? The korina issue has been discussed extensively regarding Edwards Destroyer but I feel there are other ways to figure out what exactly this "Shark" guitar is( the particular droop of the headstock, distance between bridge and pickup, placement of strap holders, truss rod neck plate, contour shape subtleties etc...) Again, I adore my Destroyer (it was made the same year my fiance was born 76!)but would like to put to rest this VH connection already.
Thank you so much,
Strat78
/image {destroyer heal}
Strat78
Username: Strat78

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:26 pm:   

/image{destroyer}
Strat78
Username: Strat78

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:29 pm:   

I don't know why the image prompt is not showing up so here is the link to the other forum with the photos thanks again!
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/5751/10828.html?1117830221
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 2:11 pm:   

Well Jim isn't around but there are interviews with Eddie claiming he used a Destroyer. Also I personaly talked with one of the writers of "Ibanez the untold story" who contacted Eddies management about placing his pic with the guitar in the book when it came out this year. Eddie had declined but didn't give a reason. It is the opinion of some that his endorsing another brand probably is the reason.
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 2:22 pm:   

Oops if I opened my eyes I would have seen Jim was here last night, Long time since he's been here last! But anyway what I said still stands.
Strat78
Username: Strat78

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 6:29 pm:   

Thanks Ibanezfreak for the info. I look forward to finding that Ibanez book! I have read those interviews for years about VH and his Destroyer, but now that I have a Destroyer of my own I can see several inconsistencies in photographs of the VH guitar and most other Destroyers that I have seen. The fact that VH won't allow his picture to be included in this book is cause for even more doubt. I still believe that it is a Destroyer, but it would be interesting to confirm this and perhaps dig a little deeper to find out if there were in fact subtle differences in their construction during the mid 70's. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some googly eyed VH nut who condones chopping up beautiful guitars!
Jim_donahue
Username: Jim_donahue

Registered: 04-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 11:02 pm:   

I spent so much time checking all the differences between the Explorer copies. There are so many changes that took place on this and many of the changes had to do with George Grun working with Ibanez. Even the Black Back of the headstock came from Ibanez buying a guitar that was repaired and sending it back to Japan, They copied that. Another change was the location of the pickups and pickguards.

As for the back of the heel area, It was changed a few times. Mostly in shape, but the one I had I know had the same heel as the EVH because I refinished it after someone put a Kahler on it. I remember taping off that area, Actually the one I had was recessed with Black paint on it? This was a L77 serial.

I am almost positive that the VH guitar he used and later chopped up was in fact an Ibanez. He claims it was Korina but it was SEN or Japanese Ash, with a Korina color.

I am sure Eddie had no reason to be in the book with that guitar. You also need to remember that Ibanez was the main company making these copies. Other did show up but I have to believe that Eddie's said Ibanez on the headstock and that is why he said that is what it was. Also he claims that he tried other Ibanez models later but they did not sound the same.

It could be something else but it does not add up?

Jim
Strat78
Username: Strat78

Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 8:45 am:   

Thanks Jim for the responce. I think your right on this matter. I was thinking that it was possible for that VH guitar to be an original Gibson Explorer, but I think they stopped making those in 63 and only started producing them again in 1980. Ed recorded with this particular guitar in late 77.
Thanks again,
Strat78
Mlefebvre
Username: Mlefebvre

Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 10:21 pm:   

Can anyone tell me what make/model of pickups are in the 70's destroyer? Anyone have a source for these pickups? Are they seymour duncans?
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 5:50 pm:   

I left you a link to Jims site in your most recent post but here it is again!

http://www.noahjames.com/vintagepage/copies2.html

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