Paul Gilbert Sells Ultra-Rare 1987 Ibanez “Ice-Stroyer” to Help Former Bandmate with Medical Expenses

In January of this year, Juan Alderete – a veteran bassist who's played with The Mars Volta and Marilyn Manson, and co-founded Racer X – was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured clavicle, and a spinal fracture. 

A GoFundMe page – set up in the wake of the accident to help Alderete and his family with their significant medical expenses – has since raised over $200,000. 

Now, Alderete's former Racer X bandmate, Paul Gilbert, has chipped in, selling an ultra-rare pink 1987 Ibanez "Ice-Stroyer" (an Iceman/Destroyer hybrid) on Reverb.com for $16,000.

All proceeds from the guitar will go toward Alderete's expenses.

“This Ibanez 'Ice-Stroyer’ was built by the Ibanez Custom Shop in Bensalem, PA in 1987,” Gilbert said. “Only two were made. This pink one, for me. And an orange one for Bruce Bouillet. I used this guitar for live Racer X shows, for Mr. Big recordings, and on Mr. Big tours.

“Over the years, I changed the bridge to a fixed bridge, moved the location of the toggle switch, and had a DiMarzio Tone Zone and a DiMarzio single coil pickup installed. The back of the guitar has sushi stickers that I got on my first tour of Japan with Mr. Big back in 1989. And my signature on the headstock is back when I was still signing in script. The tall frets are in excellent condition, and the guitar plays and sounds great!

“I will be donating the proceeds from this guitar to Juan Alderete to support his recovery from his injuries from his bicycle accident earlier this year," Gilbert continued. 

"I co-founded Racer X with Juan. He is a great friend, a great musician, and was instrumental to my career both musically and in the business. He got me out of practicing in my bedroom, and onto the stage! Thank you for your support, and enjoy this amazing guitar from a great era!”

You can visit Alderete's GoFundMe page here.