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I'm going to admit that I am a huge Parker fan. I've bought and sold a few of them over the years, and now realize that for a solid body guitar, the Fly is perfect for me. This one came up for a sale at a price that was right. I've never had an Artist model before, but I think tonewise, it is really perfect.
The body wood is spruce, and it has a nice, tight grain that you can see when you look closely. 4.5 pounds, incredible sound and probably the easiest guitar to play that I own.
My Line 6 Helix LT came in today as well (I've had the guitar for about a month) and I've been having a lot of fun! It's really a very special guitar. It was built in 1997 and I am the second (and last) owner
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04-20-2017 08:56 PM
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Looks fantastic! I've always wanted to play one of those. Congratulations!!
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Ah, I used to have one, and really wish I hadn't sold it. Wonderful guitars. If you take the back off, you might see a number, either 9, 10 or 11, which tells you what size of first string the guitar is optimised for - so I was informed by the rep. Mine was a 9, but I used tens. It would be interesting to know for sure if the above is true.
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I have a 10 spring in mine right now, but I also grabbed an 11 spring off of eBay for the next time I change strings as I keep it in fixed mode and like the extra tension.
I never had an issue using 10-46 set with a 9 spring in the past. I'm sure as springs get more difficult to find in the future, we'll have to work with what we have. I will more than likely grab a few more springs as funds allow.
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Good to do that. Word is that parts will be hard to find in the future.
Originally Posted by JSanta
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That's a beautiful instrument. Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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Love these guitars, had 2 of them. Mahogany body versions strung w/ 11-50. Definitely a modern update on the 1950's designs!
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when it comes to guitar aesthetics, i weigh in as a firm traditionalist!!...but parker and steinberger guitars were amongst the nicest i've ever played
enjoy!
cheers
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If you ever get to try a parker archtop you may quickly forget those traditions. When I played one it wasnt like "this is a L5 on steroids" or "the most refined 175" .. it was a totally new instrument. But one that I knew my way around, sounded at the same time rich and well defined. Not a cannon or a thumper but just .. dunno. Originally Posted by neatomic
One of the few unforgettable guitars I have ever played.
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Cool--would love to try one. BTW Adrian Belew has gone completely over to the Parker--famous for his Strat of course.
Also, Mark Farner of Grand Funk now plays a Parker.
I'm sure there are quite a few others under the radar.
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That's beautiful...I've always wanted to try one
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Thanks everyone! I know that the shape is kind of "funky," but it plays so effortlessly and the tones so nice that I never cared that Fly's were a bit different. With the piezo and adjustable trem, there's really nothing this guitar can't handle. My poor Benedetto has barely been out of its case since this guitar arrived!
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the electric guitar "tradition" is far too young to even be a tradition, and guitars like the Parker, Steinberger and Klein are generally much more ergonomically friendly than "traditional" electrics. As an interesting sidelight, 80% of guitarists in music programs like at Berklee are playing injured, and many of them will eventually be unable to play at all.
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80%? Where did you get that number?
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I've always wanted to spend some extended time with one of these. Congratulations.
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Don't forget KP Archtops. Not sure everyone realizes that Parker no longer has any relationship with the Parker guitar company that makes the Fly. He is solely involved with (very) high-end archtops these days.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/karsten.../#60105f2d13e9
I find what he says about the business aspects interesting and sobering...
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I had the same one a while back, really a fantastic guitar. The neck was amazing. I sold it online. I was to meet the buyer in Manhattan in front of Sam Ash. I got there a bit early and walked into the store. They asked that I check the guitar in. They opened the case to take a look and gave me a claim check. The buyer called and let me know he was in front of the store. I reclaimed my guitar, went outside and did the deal. After we were done the buyer went into the store (Sam Ash) to look around and had to check in the guitar. The store clerk commented that it was the second one he saw that day!
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Great score. Miss my parker
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Thank you again everyone. I know it's a fairly unconventional instrument to share on this forum, but it really does check so many boxes. Super light weight and just a gem to play.
For those of you talking about the more recent Fly guitars, you're right that Ken had zero involvement after he sold the company at least 15 years or so ago. This one was built at the very least under his ownership of the company. I've owned 3 1997 Fly's, all built superbly. With the spruce body though, this one has a bit more of a special tone.
With this guitar, I don't have to fight it. I love my Benedetto, but the Fly is far easier to play and is every bit as responsive as my Bambino.
One last note, Parker guitars (not Ken's gorgeous archtops) are no longer in production. There had been rumors of a resurrection this year, but I've heard nothing in terms of actual news/fact to believe that claim.Last edited by JSanta; 04-25-2017 at 07:34 AM.
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Congratulations, good sir. That guitar is like something out of the future. Here is a nice clip with Parker owner Clint Strong with an epic little piece in honor of your find. I hope you like it! Originally Posted by JSanta
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