My 1981 Ibanez Destroyer II, serial number: D815291, has been in my possession since about 1996. I thought that I would share how I got it, and a bit more of the back story.
In 1996, I was working for a now defunct grocery store called Thriftway that was spread throughout my area. I was a meatcutter apprentice and fishmonger (jobs I actually enjoyed) there, and during my tenure I got to know the produce manager, Lee, a little bit. Lee was quite a bit older than I was, and I had learned that he was formerly a guitarist before family life took over.
Out of the blue, he approached me one day and told me that he still had his old gear from back in the day (late 70s and early 80s). It was just sitting there, he said, taking up room in his garage. He then asked if I would be interested in buying his old guitar and case, along with an old speaker cabinet and an effect pedal. I said “hell yeah!” He went on to say that he’d sell me the guitar and the cabinet for $50 each, and the pedal for about 20 or 30 bucks (don’t remember now).
The next day, I met him in the parking lot of the store with cash in hand. He popped his hatch and pulled out the guitar. Before this point, I didn’t know exactly what I was getting (couldn’t “just Google it” back then), and was blown away by what I saw when he opened the guitar case. I immediately handed over the cash, trying to hide my excitement (didn’t want him to see me act like a little giddy schoolgirl), loaded up the guitar, cabinet, and pedal, and scooted on home.
Once home, I discovered that the cabinet was an Acoustic Control Corporation Model 403, which I still have. The pedal I ended up trading away. It was a late 70’s Ibanez Tube Screamer, which – for those who don’t know of it- would be worth something nowadays and is coveted by collectors. But while it is vintage now, back then it was just an old pedal.
Inspection of the guitar revealed that frets were popping out, the electronics were no good, and the thing was not really playable. I knew it could be fixed, but I didn’t know how nor could I afford to get it repaired. I put it back in its case, and decided that I will get it repaired as soon as I could afford to. I was 19 at the time, and making not a lot of money. It was going to have to wait.
Shortly after I got it, a neighbor who I was cool with asked if he could borrow the Destroyer to take a look at it etc.. He was about 19, a metalhead, and apparently a bullshitter. I naively let him take the guitar back to his place across the street. Several weeks later, I asked him for the guitar back, and he told me that he’ll get it to me in a little bit. He didn’t. So, I was a bit more firm (and willing to call the police) and asked him again to return the guitar. The next day he had it at my door.
It wasn’t until a while later (and after he moved out) that I took the case out and noticed a small sticker on the end of it. This case didn’t have any stickers on it before giving it to him, so what is this? I tool a closer look….
It was an inventory label from a pawn shop.
He needed that extra time to get the cash to get it out of hock, apparently. He used my guitar as collateral. That, my friends, is what is called a god damn crime. I was just relieved that it was returned. Never again will I make that mistake with something that important to me, I promised.
Over the years, I used some of the parts from it for other instruments, partly out of necessity but primarily out of stupidity. Basically gutted and parted, the Destroyer went back into storage. Where I moved, it moved, always with the hope that I’ll be able to get it fixed.
Fast forward to March 2025, and I’ve been building circuits, modifying instruments, and consuming knowledge into how to do repairs what I own. So I thought that I was going to finally get that guitar out and fix it up. I ordered what I needed (switch, wiring etc.) recovered what I could (electronics compartment cover, mainly), and began working.
It is far from perfect. The frets were hammered back in and glued, but still need filing so it catches the high E string on occasion. The wiring, pickups, and electronics were all put in. New threaded bushing inserts for the bridge were installed to replace the rusted ones. The neck needed tweaking, and then restrung.
It was a lot easier than I anticipated. I’m not sure if it was because I’m wiser, better equipped, and had information accessible at my fingertips, or if it was just assumed to be way more difficult than it really was. Hmm…. One of life’s little mysteries.
But, it is certainly playable for the first time in 29 years. 29 years it took before I got to play my $50 guitar. Let that sink in.
