Ibanez Destroyer Information Exchange by TheDestroyerGuy

Ibanez Destroyer Model: DT-555

JAN 1985 DT-555 BK

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Be sure to check out Lane S. Sparber's article: How I Built My Own Phil Collen DT-555

Status:

Known

Model:

DT-555

Line:

Destroyer II

Serial Number Format:

myypppp^[1]

Machine Heads:

Smooth Tuner II^[2]

Neck Composition:

Maple 3-ply

Neck Type:

Set

Fingerboard Composition:

Rosewood

Fret Count:

Scale (inches):

24.75"

Body Composition:

Birch & Basswood^[3]

Binding (H / N / B):

? / ? / ?

Number of Pick-Ups:

Pick-Ups by Position (N / M / B):

V-2 / V-2 / V-2

Bridge:

Hard Rocker (no Top-Lok) or Pro Rock'r with Top-Lok I

Tail:

Hard Rocker (no Top-Lok) or Pro Rock'r with Top-Lok I

Controls:

(1) Master Volume
(1) Middle Pick-up Volume
(1) Master Tone
(1) 3-way Toggle

Control Knobs:

Brass Sure Grip II

Hardware Color:

Gold

Finish(es):

Black (BK)
White (WH)^[4]

Market:

East^[5]
West

Year of First Catalog Appearance:

1983

Catalog Appearances:

1983 Ibanez Profile Fall Issue
1984 Ibanez Profile Random Notes Issue
1984 Ibanez Profile July Issue
Guitar Heavyweights - Phil Collen and the DT555
1985 Ibanez Profile February Issue

Comments:

this model is commonly called the "Phil Collen" Destroyer. Even though Collen played a modified DT-555 while in Def Leppard and appeared in several Ibanez magazine advertisements during the 1980s for the DT-155, DT-555, and DT-650, the DT-555 was never officially designated the "Phil Collen" Destroyer.

Footnotes:

[1]	the Serial Number Format for this model is myypppp where: m = month of manufacture (e.g.: A = Jan, B = Feb, ... , K = Nov, L = Dec) yy = last two digits of the year of manufacture (e.g.: 85 = 1985) pppp = the sequential production number for this individual guitar out of all Ibanez electric guitars manufactured during the specified month/year at a given factory Note: pppp is not the total number of guitars manufactured of this model.

[2]	the 1985 Guitar Heavyweights - Phil Collen and the DT555 flyer states the DT-555 has "Smooth Tuner II" machineheads while the 1985 Ibanez Profile February Issue states the DT-555 has "Smooth Tuner Mini II" machineheads.

[3]	the 1985 Guitar Heavyweights - Phil Collen and the DT555 flyer states the DT-555 body is composed of "Basswood & Birch" while the 1985 Ibanez Profile February Issue states that the DT-555 body is composed of "Basswood".

[4]	we tend to live by the philosophy of: if there's only one of them, it's a garage special but, in certain cases, we're willing to make exceptions. The white DT-555 is one of those rare exceptions. We have seen photographic evidence of only one such example, however, it came with the associated Ibanez paperwork so we are willing to believe the DT-555WH is an extremely rare but legitimate finish.

[5]	the targeted Market values are assumptions based upon the geographic region or the language of the catalog(s) in which a given model appears. If a model appears in a Japanese language catalog, the Market is assumed to be East. If a model appears in an English language catalog, the Market is assumed to be West. Otherwise, geographic area such as North America or Asia determines the market designation of East or West.

WARNING - use the following wiring diagram at your own risk. We are neither responsible nor liable for damaged equipment. See the Disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

We highly recommend you have a qualified professional review this wiring diagram for accuracy before using it.

The view of the potentiometers and the toggle switch is from the back of the guitar.

All shielded wires running to the 3-way toggle switch have their shields soldered to the metal switch casing.

All shielded wires running to the potentiometers have their shields soldered to their respective potentiometer's metal casing.

The open post on the Master Tone control is correct.

DT-555 Wiring Diagram

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Page contents last updated: 10 JUN 2017