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1984 Ibanez Destroyer Bass

F

Force

Aug 18, 2005
80
0
36
Canberra, Australia
#1
I've found a 1984 Ibanez Destroyer bass for sale, and the guy is selling it for $549 USD (I live in Australia so it would be $725). It looks to be in damn good condition too. I was wondering if it's worth that much, or am I better off buying one of the new Ibanez Destroyer basses for like $400 USD?



Thanks
 
#2
I've had the new model Destroyer as my wallpaper on both phone and laptop since they came out, and am only recently getting over GASsing for one.
This is to let you know that I'm with you on this.

New model, no question.

I've been playing Ibanez since 1978--an Artist 2619 guitar that I still have--and currently own a Korean SR500, a Korean Iceman bass, and a Japanese RD828 from around 1991. Love them all.
Owned Roadstar guitars and basses over the years, and played every interesting design they came out with at least once. Still kicking myself for selling a '70s 6/12 doubleneck...
Not an expert, but certainly an enthusiast and lover of Ibanez.

To me, the new model Destroyer is everything that bass is supposed to be.
Waiting for one to show up in a local pawnshop for around $300 US.
No way am I paying a "vintage" price for some old metal-era painted bass, when the new ones benefit from all the knowledge gained in the ensuing decades.
 
#3
I really cant see the newer ones being as nice of quality as those old ones. I had one like that in red but without the J pickup. Played great, neck was similar to a Japan Fender in feel, the whole bass was like that in the terms of quality, very well made. I bought it for $350 and traded is here in 2012 for a USA musicman Sub straight across, so idk value wise in the states ? $400 maybe.
 
#5
I have one of it's six-string brethren. It's not perfect, it's heavy but it's very well built and oozes character. I would imagine the bass is much the same. These aren't instruments you encounter every day. They have a more selective fanbase and that is a factor in the price. They're better instruments than the price suggests. Don't let market value sway you, go on how you value it.

ib_1.jpg
 
#6
Both the new Destroyer and the vintage ones are very nice basses. $549 seems a bit high but everything is more expensive in Oz. I have a '76 Destroyer I bought new, I'll never part with it.
 
#8
Yes, it's a bit steep... I think.
But on the bright side, I can say that my 1984 Destroyer never failed me since I bought it in 1991... Barely ever needs a setup, neck is straight and been through 27 canadian winters all ready!
Mine is another model then the one you're looking at though, different pickup configuration. It has an humbucker with tap coil option instead of a split coil. Should be the same neck and body, though.
 
#9
way back in the 80s, I owned the X-Series destroyer just like that one except with the single DiMarizio P-pickup (that thing's basic brother).....it played great but they weren't the best manufactured basses, even being MIJ - it felt flimsy in my hands......the pickup had a tendency to be microphonic and picked up every little vibration and movement....This is stuff I know now with experience but didnt know back then :)...Conversely, the guitarist in the band had the guitar (we were dual Destroyers...it was the 80s after all LOL) The guitars were made a LOT better and why such a variance from guitar to bass is anyones guess

Theres a newer version (now discontinued - pic below) called the DTB400 which has binding and parallelagram block inlays so already looks made better (even if it isnt MIJ). It is also P-J like the one you are showing but the P/J pickups are a lot closer together, indicating to me the DTB 400 probably has quite a bit of (tighter) punch and more modern sounding....If I was in the market for a Destroyer, Id get the DTB400...YMMV and Good Luck

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