Ibanez Destroyer: The Legendary Japanese Explorer and the 1980s Destroyer II (1975-1987)

The Ibanez Destroyer is one of Ibanez’s most iconic guitars of the 1980s rock era. It started in 1975 as an Explorer-inspired model built in Japan, became the guitar behind Eddie Van Halen’s famous Shark, and returned as the Destroyer II for the early-1980s metal scene. For the brand as a whole, see the Ibanez guide.

Ibanez Destroyer Quick Facts

Period covered: 1975 to 1987
Original: model 2459, built at FujiGen in 1975
Inspired by: the Gibson Explorer
Famous players: Eddie Van Halen, Ace Frehley, Phil Collen
Destroyer II: early 1980s, with a revised body
Series ended: 1987

Prefer to watch? This article is based on my own video below.

Table Of Contents

Ibanez Destroyer Timeline
1975: The 2459, an Explorer-Inspired Destroyer
Early Players: Eddie Van Halen and Ace Frehley
- Ace Frehley Loved It Too
1978: Legal Pressure Stops Production
1981: The Destroyer II Returns
- Who Played the Destroyer II
1987 and After: Why Players Still Chase the Originals
Which Ibanez Destroyer Should You Look For?
Final Thoughts
FAQ
More Ibanez guitar articles

Ibanez Destroyer Timeline

Year	What happened
1975	The original Destroyer, model 2459, debuts; built at FujiGen
1975–1978	Eddie Van Halen and Ace Frehley play early Destroyers
1978	Production halted due to legal pressure from Gibson
1981	The Destroyer returns as the Destroyer II with a revised body
Early 1980s	Iron Maiden, Girl and Def Leppard players adopt it
1987	The Destroyer series comes to an end

1975: The 2459, an Explorer-Inspired Destroyer

The original model debuted in 1975 as the 2459, released under the slogan “Explore the Destroyer.” Like many Japanese guitars of the time, it was clearly inspired by the Gibson Explorer. It was built at FujiGen and developed mainly for the US market. Its body was Japanese sen ash; the “Korina” name in the ads referred to the finish.

Original Ibanez Destroyer 2459 with a sen ash body — The original Ibanez Destroyer 2459, with a sen ash body in a natural finish. Image: Ibanez catalog

Early Players: Eddie Van Halen and Ace Frehley

Surprisingly, Eddie Van Halen was one of the Destroyer’s early players. He got one of the very first Destroyers shipped to the US, used it on Van Halen’s 1978 debut album, and later cut it into his famous Shark guitar.

Ace Frehley Loved It Too

Ace Frehley of KISS was another early Destroyer player, which gave the model a second stage in 1970s American rock. KISS bandmate Paul Stanley played another Ibanez original, the Iceman.

1978: Legal Pressure Stops Production

Because the design was so close to the Explorer, legal pressure from Gibson halted production in 1978. It was the same era that pushed many Japanese makers away from copies and toward their own designs.

1981: The Destroyer II Returns

In 1981, the model returned as the Destroyer II. The body shape was slightly revised to avoid further legal issues, and that updated look turned out to be a perfect match for early-1980s hard rock and heavy metal.

Ibanez Destroyer II DT series catalog with DT50 and DT400 — The Destroyer II DT series catalog, with the DT50 and DT400 and players Phil Collen, Gerry Laffy, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Richie Stotts. Image: Ibanez catalog

Model	Notes
DT300, DT500, DT155	Key models of the Destroyer II line
DT50	Birch and basswood body (catalog)
DT100	Single humbucker; shown in red and black
DT400	Flame maple and basswood body, cherry sunburst (catalog)

Ibanez Destroyer II DT100 in red and black — The DT100 in red and black, with Gerry Laffy. Image: Ibanez catalog

Who Played the Destroyer II

Player	Band
Adrian Smith, Dave Murray	Iron Maiden
Gerry Laffy, Phil Collen	Girl
Phil Collen	Def Leppard, after joining in the early 1980s

These players even appeared in Ibanez catalogs of the time. After joining Def Leppard, Phil Collen remained closely associated with the Destroyer, and many players still link the guitar to him.

Ibanez Destroyer ad with Phil Collen, Gerry Laffy, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray — Ibanez’s “Raw Rock Power” ad: Gerry Laffy and Phil Collen (Girl), Adrian Smith and Dave Murray (Iron Maiden). Image: Ibanez ad

Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden playing an Ibanez Destroyer — Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden with his Destroyer in a “Guitar Heroes” magazine feature. Photo: George Bodnar

The Destroyer line also spawned several variations, including random-star-shaped models and Destroyer-style basses.

1987 and After: Why Players Still Chase the Originals

By 1987, the Destroyer series came to an end. It has been reissued occasionally since then, but often with shapes that felt off from the original, or built outside Japan. Because of that, many players still chase the original 1980s models.

Ibanez DT400 Destroyer reissue in a Japanese catalog — A later DT400 reissue (¥70,000) in a Japanese Ibanez catalog. Image: Ibanez catalog

Honestly, I’m one of them. I’ve wanted an ’80s Destroyer II for years, but good examples keep getting scarcer and pricier.

Which Ibanez Destroyer Should You Look For?

You want…	Look for	Era
The Eddie Van Halen story	Original Destroyer 2459	1975–1978
The 1980s metal Destroyer	Destroyer II (DT300, DT500, DT155)	1981–1987
Phil Collen’s look	Destroyer II models associated with Phil Collen	Mid-1980s

Original Destroyer (1975–1978)

Rare and short-lived, since production stopped in 1978. Check originality carefully.

Destroyer II (1981–1987)

The one most players chase today. Condition and originality drive the price.

Final Thoughts

From a Japanese Explorer-inspired model to the starting point of Eddie Van Halen’s Shark and the shape of early-1980s metal, the Destroyer has a story few guitars can match. Which Destroyer models do you prefer?

FAQ

When did the Ibanez Destroyer come out?

The original Destroyer, model 2459, debuted in 1975. It was built at FujiGen in Japan and developed mainly for the US market.

Did Eddie Van Halen play an Ibanez Destroyer?

Yes. He got one of the very first Destroyers shipped to the US, painted it white, and used it on Van Halen’s 1978 debut album, including Runnin’ with the Devil and You Really Got Me. He later cut it into the Shark guitar.

Why was the Ibanez Destroyer discontinued?

Production of the original Destroyer was halted in 1978 due to legal pressure from Gibson, since the design was clearly inspired by the Gibson Explorer.

What is the Ibanez Destroyer II?

The Destroyer II returned in the early 1980s with a slightly revised body to avoid further legal issues. Key models included the DT300, DT500 and DT155.

Who played the Ibanez Destroyer II?

Adrian Smith and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, Gerry Laffy and Phil Collen of Girl, and Phil Collen again after joining Def Leppard.

Are new Ibanez Destroyers the same as the originals?

Not quite. The Destroyer has been reissued occasionally since the series ended in 1987, but often with a shape that feels off from the original or built outside Japan, so many players still look for 1980s originals.