Hardware for 70s Ibby Destroyer? Metric sized?

[Navigator]

Hey all,

Had this originally posted in the experts section but it ain't rocket science, and I thought I'd get some responses here.

I usually post here about my Hamer, but know that there are a number of folks here who are familiar with the Ibanez lawsuit Destroyers from the mid-70s. I've got one, and have been contemplating changing out the heavy tailpiece and bridge for aluminum at some point.

I'm assuming that I would need metric sized parts. Is that correct? Has anyone here done this upgrade? I'd be curious to hear what difference it made if so.

Also curious about whether (tonally) it makes sense to switch out the bridge in addition to the tailpiece. Is it just the tailpiece that really matters tonally? Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[murkat]

A. yes it is metric.

B. gotoh parts can be ordered in metric size.

C. (now this is important) KEEP IT STOCK.

D. mod a korean slammer standard, or, etc.

E. refer back to "C".

F. Enjoy the tonal possibilities of a stock Destroyer, they don not need no mods, well, except for one, pot the pups for high gain apps, but....

G. just go back to "C"

[BCR Greg]

I can get you all the parts that you need.

See C above.

[velorush]

I thought I had all the parts you need, but they appear to still be out getting X-rayed.

What Greg said Murkat said.

[BubbaVO]

I can get you all the parts that you need.

See C above.

Listen to unkagreg.

No denying he's got his tendencies, but he's right when it comes to geetars.

Ibanez Destroyers are good guitars as is and they have a resale value. If you want to mess, you can pick up an ST50 for less than $300 and play to your heart's content. And you'll end up with 2 killer axes.

[Navigator]

Yeesh, sorry for delay in responding to your replies guys. Really appreciate your comments. I totally hear you about modding something somewhat collectible. My thinking was that this would be the most reverseable of mods, and that I'd just store the original tailpiece even if I went with aluminum. The bridge, however, looks like a different story, since it has some pretty significant inserts, and I don't think it's the same design as most replacements.

At any rate, the guitar is not quite stock anyway (though everything important is). I bought this guitar a long time ago, and by then it had been repainted a cool metallic blue/purple burst. Funny thing is, the original Korina-colored finish was never stripped and can be seen in the spots where the thin blue paint has come off over the last twenty or more years. I have been periodically tempted to strip the blue paint off with acetone, to bring it back to its original appearance, but the thing is so rock and roll as it is that I haven't bothered. Other than the finish, everything's pretty much stock except for the pickups which were long gone when I got it, and which are now Duncans (JB/Jazz). It's a great, woody-sounding guitar, but I've been curious what difference a lightweight tailpiece might make (anybody think it will?). Probably try a different bridge pickup soon too. Anyway, thanks for the comments, and here she is:

[murkat]

bridge looks stock. there where two types of bridges. a lighter T/P will thin out the tone bigtime with SEN wood. if you swap pups, becarefull desoldering the leads from the pot lugs if the stock pots still exsist. the solder lugs are very breakabull. Those stock super 70's pups rule.

[BCR Greg]

GOOD GOD, get that horrible finish offa that poor guitar.

[humfree]

Strip it.. refinish it natural.. man, that is something special.. nice to see those once in a while!

Peace