Ken Parker is a true genius, the Parker Fly was an incredibly innovative instrument that still holds today as one of the most advanced guitars that you can own, and the Parker archtops sounds so good even Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel where impressed. I wish I had the money to buy stuff from this man, he deserves it.
I met Ken Parker, way back when, at the Wilmington MA factory when my new Fly had an electrical problem. He took the time to come out of the office and talk with me, then gave me a factory tour as a tech corrected it. He is one of the most sincere people I've ever met. About two minutes in, I realized I was in the presence of a true genius and a fine craftsman. To this day I regret parting company with that Fly, but I'll always be grateful for the experience.
I own a Parker Fly Supreme and I love this guitar, unfortunately it is a bit old (thousands of gigs), so please let these unique, fantastic guitars come back, why is that not possible? Mr. Ken Parker is a genius! Greetings from Austria! 👍🙏
Such a humble and gifted luthier. He has an amazing UA-cam channel ( Archtoppery ) and often responds to comments. If you are a Parker Guitar enthusiast like me it is gold dust. Thank you so much for this film. I put a set of the coated phosphor bronze on my old Washburn D61 and they sound amazing.
I love listening to Ken speak. From reminiscing about his supportive parents to how proud he is of his work being displayed in the metropolitan museum of art and his guitar construction methods, genius ideas and the fervor to make it all happen. It’s infectious and heart warming. Such an awesome dude! We are so lucky to have him as a contributor to the luthier community. Good show Ken!
WoW ! ♥ Inspiration for days in this! Ken's work and research is such a marker in guitar history, not many people we can call living legends...And on top of that he is a true gentleman, always encouraging newcommers and the development of the luthier craft. No words really.. A sincere thank you for putting this up!
I remember, as a teenager, watching David Bowie’s guitarist on late night TV, playing this red guitar. I remember thinking, “Wow! He can do anything with that instrument.” I’m still holding out my dream to own one of Ken Parker’s guitars. What a sincere craftsman and innovator!
Reeves Gabrels! I remember him playing more of a natural finished Parker with a pickguard that had a circular design on the front, like a faux soundhole. Probably a different TV appearance than yours but I'm with you on the inspiration!
You will love a Fly, and they are not unaffordable, but you will have to save a lot of money to buy one of his arch tops! I’d love one myself, but there is no way I will ever have the money for that.
I'm a professional guitarist of over 50 years, playing MANY different archtop guitars. I've had the honor to play a couple of Ken's archtop guitars, and I was VERY impressed with his designs and the guitars themselves!!! Definitely amazing and way more impressive than any others I've played!!
Thanks for this video- great to "meet" Ken Parker. I am fortunate enough to own an original Parker Fly and for a number of years it was my "go-to" instrument and one of THE BEST sounding/playing guitars I have ever owned(And I've owned a lot of guitars- classic Gibson, Fender, Guild, etc). I still have my Fly and it's versatility is one of the features that so attracted me- but it's dependability for staying in tune as well as it's light weight caused me to fall in love. What a great instrument!
It's beautiful. I only recently have come back to enjoying working on cars after making a similar mista....career move. This bad boy will get finished when it's finished. There is no paperwork or warranty claims to fill out. Just me and this beautiful piece of...ope too soon. Dadgum cars 😊
Thanks to the D'Addario team for hosting the undisputed master of this craft. The Parker Fly, aka the greatest guitar that I've ever owned. Thank-you Ken!
There are three innovators in guitar design/building that inspired me to start my own designs and brands. Ken Parker - the Parker Fly (pre sale) is still the most innovative design of all instruments ever. What Ken achieved in terms of design, stability, and features (his electronic wiring) was at least 50 years ahead of its time. -Ned Steinberger: the OG headless guitar guy, who commercialized a new design and engineered some of the finest hardware. Ola Strandberg: the new age Steinberger, who innovated neck shapes and revived the headless instrument commercially. Would be great to see a workshop on Ned!
I just put d'addario auto trim locking tuners on my guitar. I was struggling to decide between those and the steinberger locking tuners. The d'addario box arrives, and it says "designed by ned steinberger".
To his point about "don't touch that kid". I grew up with a music store in Dayton called Hauer music. It boggles my mind that as a 13 year old i was allowed to play anything they had on their walls. I thought nothing of grabbing a Rickenbacker or Gibson and just playing it. As an adult at a music store today Im afraid to touch an epiphone without help. They still exist as a store and are great but the magic back then at least to me was deep.
What a humble and extraordinary gentleman. What an immense contribution to the art of guitar building and the expectations we can have of the instrument. Thank you Ken. I don't have one of your guitars, yet... but one day , I hope to.
My first "serious" electric guitar was a Parker Deluxe Fly that I found on sale in 1998 while Ken was still at Parker. It's truly a phenomenal electric guitar. I'm glad he got back into the guitar business!!!
I love my Parker Nitefly M. It's my daily player and I've been using D'Addario NYXL+ strings on it forever. Thanks for showcasing Ken Parker in this engaging mini-documentary.
My Parker Fly Mojo Flame is still a masterpiece of an instrument to play 20-something years later. I wish the industry hadn’t done him so dirty. I wish they were still being made. I literally had to contact the company that bought him out to get replacement parts; they’re apparently all in a storage unit in CA.
Mr. Parker, I am from Ontario, Canada, the first time I picked up a Parker Fly Deluxe was in 2002. I played Gibson, Fender, Ibanez for years until I played a Parker Fly Deluxe, In my opinion with may years of experience nothing, I mean absolutely nothing plays like a Parker Fly. I own 4 of them 1-Pre refined and 3-Refined. Only modification I made for the variety of genres I play on stage (Pop, Rock, Funk, Ballads, Disco, Ballroom) is rewire the neck humbucker to single done by a local luthier. I can produce any desire tone with the Parker Fly Deluxe. I have had many compliments through the years regarding the appearanc and mostly my tones, especially the piezo acoustic tone. All my Parker Fly Duluxe guitars at approx. 5 lbs. This is why at 61 years old I can still do weekend wedding weekend gigs. I Thank-you a million times for your vision and superb enginuity. 😄
Well then, as a proud owner and player, you should make an appreciation and demo video with the Parker guitars in your collection. Demonstrate the tones, functionality and ergonomics of the instrument.
I love how decades ago Ken Parker made a guitar that even now the world of guitarists simply hasnt progressed enough to be ready for. People confuse innovation as being an oddly shaped solid body guitar. Innovation is about processes and structural enhancement more than physical appearance, and Ken is the absolute trailblazer here
I did a lot of miles with my Fly Deluxe ... I wish I was able to get it fixed. The input jack doesn't hold the ¼” cord in place anymore. And, as anyone who has had a need to have work done on their Parker Guitar (which is rare in itself), it's a complicated task.Difficult to find a tech that is familiar with and qualified to work on them. And, then there's the issue of finding the exclusive or proprietary part(s). I miss playing it. She just sits by my bed for when I feel the need to grab it. It still sounds good, albeit unplugged. Still, she waits ...
Ken is a true vanguard in the industry- a bonafide legend and visionary, leading the way in numerous ways with his countless cutting-edge innovations and spectacular, standalone, designs. As far as I'm concerned, there's Ken and then there's everyone else miles behind him in the rearview mirror trying to play catchup. It's been a life-long dream of mine to own one of his superlative archtops, however I just can't see said dream ever being realized, sadly- but never say never I guess... Obsessed with this man and his work; never has someones work resonated so profoundly with me- thank you for the awesome video!
I have a fun little story about a Parker Fly, I was in a New Hampshire based hardcore/metal band called the_Network (Bma/Metal Blade). One of the guitarist in the band owned a Parker Fly. The guitar unfortunately didn't have a long life, one of our live shows the guitar was broken. The headstock cracked right in half and my head took the impact. All I really remember was playing and looking down at my bass and feeling a smack... then I taste blood in my mouth. I look over and strings were flapping everywhere. I'm still surprised I wasn't knocked out. He still feels horrible about the mishap... ha
As a young teen, I fondly recall being mesmerized by the lines and artistic design of the Parker Fly. I would love to own one, but there aren't too many on the used market.
I love parker guitars i have 2 of them i wish ken Parker would build a hybrid electric/acoustic i wish he would get back to making guitars again ❤❤ love his guitars style
I have had a Nitefly since around 1998. I absolutely love the way it plays and feels. Apparently, the three single coil pickup model that I have that simulates a Stratocaster is somewhat uncommon. Kudos to Ken Parker For his innovation
I am now double diabetic after hearing that story of his parents playing music together. Way too sweet and probably need to separate those two love birds before things get out of hand. 😊
I’m from Boston. I had no idea this guy was from around here. I think the Parker fly in a lot of ways. It’s just the most perfect guitar ever ever made. It’s really the only guitar in my opinion that’s picked up where Leo Fender left off and just gone into the gone into the atmosphere. It hasn’t left the planet but it’s definitely 50,000 feet. It’s taking off the ground
Ken Parker is an incredible engineer and instrument maker. He even explains in detail his processes on his own YT channel if you didn't know that. Really interesting if you are a builder, and maybe even if you aren't.
Man I remember when you could get a Parker Fly for less than $1000 - had no idea what Ken had been up to since Parker closed it's doors, and I was surpised to see how many Flys are going for over $5000 now on the Used market. Well deserved! Not too many artisans left in Massachusetts these days
I played my mahogany Parker Fly Classic for 25 years. I literally wore out the frets and I couldn't find anyone who wanted to do a fret job, and the company was out of business. It was a great instrument.
Unfortunately, Ken Parker's ideas were about 30 years ahead of their time. If he released the Fly in this current decade, I truly believe that he'd be huge. I think people are more willing to spend money on a good, quality instrument these days. Add in innovation to that and you have a success. Just think...how long has it been since the Parkers were originally launched? To this day, they are still probably the most advanced and perfect guitars ever released. No detail was overlooked. They just cost him too much to manufacture.
I love my Parker, but I read a quote from Ken Parker that they were selling a $10,000 guitar for $2,000. In today’s money, that cost would be well over $20,000.
I've watched various episodes of Archtoppery, and Ken P is an absolute fount of knowledge and experience... A joy to watch too. I wonder what his thoughts are on Parker Guitars completely disappearing after a mere 20-odd years.... Did it prove that we, guitarists, are indeed as puristic as hell like that, to only ever want more of the same? Or was he simply too far ahead of the game? I feel that if, now in 2024, Parker would start again making the Fly, Nitefly and all those other phenomenal and groundbreaking instruments, he'd do rather well...
Love my Parker Night Fly, SN 48155 USA. Hum, single, single. I replaced the Mag pickups with EMGs. Love to use a stereo cable to split the Hum, from the Piez, so I can blend an "acoustic sound" with the electric guitar sound. Using different effects for each one. One of the most versatile guitars I have, along with my Godin with synth pickups.
Too bad the Fly models aren’t sold anymore. I once tried one. It was light as a feather but sounded like a beast! The tremolo arm required minimum pressure to bring the strings completely loose and the came perfectly in tune. I read the company went broke because it was selling an unbelievable product for the price they charged.
No shortage of truly master class builders in the works today…,but considering Mr Parker’s design prowess w electric or acoustic ….theres some thing so unique in his designs…simultaneously exotic yet utilitarian….both serving the same purpose…
I was one of the guitarists who performed on 3 of Ken’s INCREDIBLE Archtop guitars on the occasion of the induction of his instruments into the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His design and craftsmanship are indeed Masterpieces, sonically, functionally, aesthetically and musically. We need more Humans in our world who commit to the “unparalleled” within and without, who provide for the rest of us, a portal into the beauty and excellence of our own consciousnesses, through their profound dedication. Ken loaned me one of his Archtops to record my composition, “Saturation” in 2009 for my record “Revealing Essence” with my guitar/acoustic bass guitar duo “For Living Lovers” with bassist Stomu Takeishi: ua-cam.com/video/l4-9gS5ZMQc/v-deo.html THANK YOU KEN! 🙏🏽💫🎶
🎸The Parker guitar is worthy of Captain Kirk! It looks so futuristic that it would not look out of place in a Star Trek episode. I find the design very beautiful, a real work of modern art. It looks like the guitar of Galactus or the silver surfer.🎸
Mr. Parker. I would love more than anything to just work with you. However, I now realize that I’m supposed to meet you when you craft the corrugated cardboard guitar you were envisioning.
His original FLY just knocked my sox off. Still does. I just cannot afford one. Oh yeh ... I've been a player for 63 years. His FLY is the same thing as Leo's Stratocaster, in my opinion.
Which other shops or luthiers would you like to see us feature?
Schorr Guitars, Teuffel, Honeytea instruments, verso instruments, James Trussart Guitars
David Freeman @ Timeless Instruments. Runs a school. Would be an interesting feature to see how he came up with the pedagogy of guitar making.
Dean Gordon Guitars!!
Rick Toone
Angela Christensen of Breedlove in Bend, OR.
Ken Parker is a true genius, the Parker Fly was an incredibly innovative instrument that still holds today as one of the most advanced guitars that you can own, and the Parker archtops sounds so good even Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel where impressed.
I wish I had the money to buy stuff from this man, he deserves it.
Very well said!
Thank you for doing this, D'Addario. The genius of Ken Parker must be preserved!
Check out his Archtoppery series of videos if you haven’t already. Every episode has been good for my brain.
We agree!
He changes the action of the guitar 3 times within seconds without affecting the pitch and says "that's kinda cool" while my jaw drops on the floor! 😮
I met Ken Parker, way back when, at the Wilmington MA factory when my new Fly had an electrical problem. He took the time to come out of the office and talk with me, then gave me a factory tour as a tech corrected it. He is one of the most sincere people I've ever met. About two minutes in, I realized I was in the presence of a true genius and a fine craftsman. To this day I regret parting company with that Fly, but I'll always be grateful for the experience.
I own a Parker Fly Supreme and I love this guitar, unfortunately it is a bit old (thousands of gigs), so please let these unique, fantastic guitars come back, why is that not possible? Mr. Ken Parker is a genius! Greetings from Austria! 👍🙏
Such a humble and gifted luthier. He has an amazing UA-cam channel ( Archtoppery ) and often responds to comments. If you are a Parker Guitar enthusiast like me it is gold dust. Thank you so much for this film. I put a set of the coated phosphor bronze on my old Washburn D61 and they sound amazing.
I had. Parker Fly when I lived in the Arctic. It was the only guitar that stay in tune and the neck didn’t move. Wish I had it now.
I love listening to Ken speak. From reminiscing about his supportive parents to how proud he is of his work being displayed in the metropolitan museum of art and his guitar construction methods, genius ideas and the fervor to make it all happen. It’s infectious and heart warming. Such an awesome dude! We are so lucky to have him as a contributor to the luthier community. Good show Ken!
WoW ! ♥ Inspiration for days in this! Ken's work and research is such a marker in guitar history, not many people we can call living legends...And on top of that he is a true gentleman, always encouraging newcommers and the development of the luthier craft. No words really.. A sincere thank you for putting this up!
Ken is an outstanding luthier/builder and even a finer human being, this is a great video Ken
I remember, as a teenager, watching David Bowie’s guitarist on late night TV, playing this red guitar. I remember thinking, “Wow! He can do anything with that instrument.” I’m still holding out my dream to own one of Ken Parker’s guitars. What a sincere craftsman and innovator!
Damn, I wish I could find one too.
@@aquabot maybe time for a trip to Massachusetts.
@@jacobpittman1996 Just for a guitar? Well it's as bad as any other reason for a trip, isn't it? 😉
Reeves Gabrels! I remember him playing more of a natural finished Parker with a pickguard that had a circular design on the front, like a faux soundhole. Probably a different TV appearance than yours but I'm with you on the inspiration!
You will love a Fly, and they are not unaffordable, but you will have to save a lot of money to buy one of his arch tops! I’d love one myself, but there is no way I will ever have the money for that.
I'm a professional guitarist of over 50 years, playing MANY different archtop guitars.
I've had the honor to play a couple of Ken's archtop guitars, and I was VERY impressed with his designs and the guitars themselves!!!
Definitely amazing and way more impressive than any others I've played!!
one of a kind, his generosity in sharing his lifetime of knowledge is unmatched. his archtoppery series is unparalleled.
Thanks for this video- great to "meet" Ken Parker. I am fortunate enough to own an original Parker Fly and for a number of years it was my "go-to" instrument and one of THE BEST sounding/playing guitars I have ever owned(And I've owned a lot of guitars- classic Gibson, Fender, Guild, etc). I still have my Fly and it's versatility is one of the features that so attracted me- but it's dependability for staying in tune as well as it's light weight caused me to fall in love. What a great instrument!
Beautiful documentary about the goat! I was pretty moved to see his crossed out Parker guitars banner: “Ken again. back to what I love”
It's beautiful. I only recently have come back to enjoying working on cars after making a similar mista....career move. This bad boy will get finished when it's finished. There is no paperwork or warranty claims to fill out. Just me and this beautiful piece of...ope too soon. Dadgum cars 😊
Thanks to the D'Addario team for hosting the undisputed master of this craft. The Parker Fly, aka the greatest guitar that I've ever owned. Thank-you Ken!
There are three innovators in guitar design/building that inspired me to start my own designs and brands.
Ken Parker - the Parker Fly (pre sale) is still the most innovative design of all instruments ever. What Ken achieved in terms of design, stability, and features (his electronic wiring) was at least 50 years ahead of its time.
-Ned Steinberger: the OG headless guitar guy, who commercialized a new design and engineered some of the finest hardware.
Ola Strandberg: the new age Steinberger, who innovated neck shapes and revived the headless instrument commercially.
Would be great to see a workshop on Ned!
I just put d'addario auto trim locking tuners on my guitar. I was struggling to decide between those and the steinberger locking tuners. The d'addario box arrives, and it says "designed by ned steinberger".
Ned has collaborated/ designed a lot of accessories with D’Addario.
agreed!
As an owner of both a Steinberger bass, and Parker guitar, I agree.
Would love to own a Strandberg guitar. PS my last name is Finberg 😆
I love having the 'how & why' of the resonant bliss I feel when playing a Parker spelled out so clearly too.
To his point about "don't touch that kid". I grew up with a music store in Dayton called Hauer music. It boggles my mind that as a 13 year old i was allowed to play anything they had on their walls. I thought nothing of grabbing a Rickenbacker or Gibson and just playing it. As an adult at a music store today Im afraid to touch an epiphone without help. They still exist as a store and are great but the magic back then at least to me was deep.
I, too, was a Hauer Music kid-took piano lessons in the basement of the shop! They had a big organ on the main floor that I played after every lesson!
@lisamccann6289 I can't believe how much they would just let kids roam. Beautiful place
@@WoodworkingforAnyone I agree. That doesn’t happen nowadays, I don’t think. But that’s how you get kids interested in playing….
I just stumbled across his archtop series. I had no idea. The guy is beyond genius level engineer and craftsman.
What a humble and extraordinary gentleman. What an immense contribution to the art of guitar building and the expectations we can have of the instrument. Thank you Ken. I don't have one of your guitars, yet... but one day , I hope to.
My first "serious" electric guitar was a Parker Deluxe Fly that I found on sale in 1998 while Ken was still at Parker. It's truly a phenomenal electric guitar. I'm glad he got back into the guitar business!!!
I love my Parker Nitefly M. It's my daily player and I've been using D'Addario NYXL+ strings on it forever. Thanks for showcasing Ken Parker in this engaging mini-documentary.
This is incredible. Ken is such a unique talent.
My Parker Fly Mojo Flame is still a masterpiece of an instrument to play 20-something years later. I wish the industry hadn’t done him so dirty. I wish they were still being made.
I literally had to contact the company that bought him out to get replacement parts; they’re apparently all in a storage unit in CA.
Ken has a great YT channel full of guitar knowledge. I recommend to watch those videos if you want to know more about guitars.
Mr. Parker, I am from Ontario, Canada, the first time I picked up a Parker Fly Deluxe was in 2002. I played Gibson, Fender, Ibanez for years until I played a Parker Fly Deluxe, In my opinion with may years of experience nothing, I mean absolutely nothing plays like a Parker Fly. I own 4 of them 1-Pre refined and 3-Refined. Only modification I made for the variety of genres I play on stage (Pop, Rock, Funk, Ballads, Disco, Ballroom) is rewire the neck humbucker to single done by a local luthier. I can produce any desire tone with the Parker Fly Deluxe. I have had many compliments through the years regarding the appearanc and mostly my tones, especially the piezo acoustic tone. All my Parker Fly Duluxe guitars at approx. 5 lbs. This is why at 61 years old I can still do weekend wedding weekend gigs. I Thank-you a million times for your vision and superb enginuity. 😄
Well then, as a proud owner and player, you should make an appreciation and demo video with the Parker guitars in your collection. Demonstrate the tones, functionality and ergonomics of the instrument.
What a beautiful and inspiring video. Thank you for sharing.
I've owned 2 of them and met Ken. An inspiring genius. Thanks for the documentation of his contributions to the legacy of guitar innovation
I love how decades ago Ken Parker made a guitar that even now the world of guitarists simply hasnt progressed enough to be ready for. People confuse innovation as being an oddly shaped solid body guitar. Innovation is about processes and structural enhancement more than physical appearance, and Ken is the absolute trailblazer here
Why, thank you D'addario, for this. I enjoyed it very much, not as a Parker fanboy, but just because it is happy and informative.
I did a lot of miles with my Fly Deluxe ... I wish I was able to get it fixed. The input jack doesn't hold the ¼” cord in place anymore. And, as anyone who has had a need to have work done on their Parker Guitar (which is rare in itself), it's a complicated task.Difficult to find a tech that is familiar with and qualified to work on them. And, then there's the issue of finding the exclusive or proprietary part(s). I miss playing it. She just sits by my bed for when I feel the need to grab it. It still sounds good, albeit unplugged. Still, she waits ...
I love this dude's vibe.
Ken is a true vanguard in the industry- a bonafide legend and visionary, leading the way in numerous ways with his countless cutting-edge innovations and spectacular, standalone, designs. As far as I'm concerned, there's Ken and then there's everyone else miles behind him in the rearview mirror trying to play catchup. It's been a life-long dream of mine to own one of his superlative archtops, however I just can't see said dream ever being realized, sadly- but never say never I guess... Obsessed with this man and his work; never has someones work resonated so profoundly with me- thank you for the awesome video!
25 years after first trying a Fly I now am the proud possessor of the legendary axe. Eternal Gratitude Mr.Parker
I have a fun little story about a Parker Fly, I was in a New Hampshire based hardcore/metal band called the_Network (Bma/Metal Blade). One of the guitarist in the band owned a Parker Fly. The guitar unfortunately didn't have a long life, one of our live shows the guitar was broken. The headstock cracked right in half and my head took the impact. All I really remember was playing and looking down at my bass and feeling a smack... then I taste blood in my mouth. I look over and strings were flapping everywhere. I'm still surprised I wasn't knocked out. He still feels horrible about the mishap... ha
As a young teen, I fondly recall being mesmerized by the lines and artistic design of the Parker Fly. I would love to own one, but there aren't too many on the used market.
NEVER give up on your Fly dream!
This guy is definitely one of my heroes.
Thank you D'Ad.
Kudos to Ken.
What a well spoken dude! Thanks D'Addario
I love parker guitars i have 2 of them i wish ken Parker would build a hybrid electric/acoustic i wish he would get back to making guitars again ❤❤ love his guitars style
I wish Parker guitars would come back. I always wanted a Nitefly.
I have had a Nitefly since around 1998. I absolutely love the way it plays and feels. Apparently, the three single coil pickup model that I have that simulates a Stratocaster is somewhat uncommon. Kudos to Ken Parker For his innovation
Thank you for covering Ken Parker. I've been a fan of his ever since I laid my eyes on a Fly as a youngster back in '96.
Ken is the best! Love my Parkers! The Fly is the most underrated electric guitar ever!
Ken is genius luthier who I feel is extremely underrated!
Lovin´ this videos, such iconics personalities and such lovely production values
Out of the hundreds of guitars I’ve ever owned, I’ll keep my midi fly forever
I am now double diabetic after hearing that story of his parents playing music together. Way too sweet and probably need to separate those two love birds before things get out of hand. 😊
I’m from Boston. I had no idea this guy was from around here. I think the Parker fly in a lot of ways. It’s just the most perfect guitar ever ever made. It’s really the only guitar in my opinion that’s picked up where Leo Fender left off and just gone into the gone into the atmosphere. It hasn’t left the planet but it’s definitely 50,000 feet. It’s taking off the ground
Great video, great guy, great guitars! Really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing this.
Ken is a national treasure.
He's an international treasure! The whole planet can be proud of this amazing Earthling. :)
I really enjoyed this video. I've been noodling on my '04 Fly Deluxe; it's a great guitar and never gets old.
This man is brilliant !
Love Ken. This is great.
Thank you Ken Parker. I so enjoy my Fly Classic. Your work is so important and exciting. Rock on
Really great
Truly amazing!!
Ken is very much an inspiration to me as a guitar maker and repairman. And I was a D'Addario user long before I ever heard of Ken.
When I went looking in NYC on 48th St. for my first electric guitar in 1997, it was so so so easy. Parker from Rudy's. Thank you.
Brilliant analysis and execution 😊😊😊 😊
You have a beautiful workspace
Thanks for sharing; I did not know the whole story 😊
The Parker Fly is the guitar that took us past Fender and Gibson finally
Bring it back ❤️
Back to the Future...
Beautiful and inspiring video.
Fantastic.
Ken Parker is an incredible engineer and instrument maker. He even explains in detail his processes on his own YT channel if you didn't know that. Really interesting if you are a builder, and maybe even if you aren't.
I sure wish he was still making the Fly! I have two of them (Supreme and Classic) and I love them. I would love to have a new one built by Ken!
Awesome thanks
I wish this video was an hour long. I could hear Ken Parker all they long.
Man I remember when you could get a Parker Fly for less than $1000 - had no idea what Ken had been up to since Parker closed it's doors, and I was surpised to see how many Flys are going for over $5000 now on the Used market. Well deserved! Not too many artisans left in Massachusetts these days
Legend.
Hey hey from Rochester NY! House Of Guitars is prob that place who told you "Dont touch that please" hahaha
The Parker Fly is one of the most beautiful guitars ever made.
Those are the strings I like.
Amazing Instruments Ken : ) x
I played my mahogany Parker Fly Classic for 25 years. I literally wore out the frets and I couldn't find anyone who wanted to do a fret job, and the company was out of business. It was a great instrument.
Unfortunately, Ken Parker's ideas were about 30 years ahead of their time. If he released the Fly in this current decade, I truly believe that he'd be huge. I think people are more willing to spend money on a good, quality instrument these days. Add in innovation to that and you have a success. Just think...how long has it been since the Parkers were originally launched? To this day, they are still probably the most advanced and perfect guitars ever released. No detail was overlooked. They just cost him too much to manufacture.
I love my Parker, but I read a quote from Ken Parker that they were selling a $10,000 guitar for $2,000. In today’s money, that cost would be well over $20,000.
I feel very lucky to have a Parker Fly. My neighbor passed it on to me after his passing. It was his second fly. It just plays so nice.
Ken! You look and sound great! Miss you, brother…☺️
I love my Parker guitars: Fly Classic, Spanish Fly, Bronze Fly, Hollow body Archtop Jazz. They will be in the will. Can't let them go.
I've watched various episodes of Archtoppery, and Ken P is an absolute fount of knowledge and experience... A joy to watch too.
I wonder what his thoughts are on Parker Guitars completely disappearing after a mere 20-odd years....
Did it prove that we, guitarists, are indeed as puristic as hell like that, to only ever want more of the same?
Or was he simply too far ahead of the game?
I feel that if, now in 2024, Parker would start again making the Fly, Nitefly and all those other phenomenal and groundbreaking instruments, he'd do rather well...
Love my Parker Night Fly, SN 48155 USA. Hum, single, single.
I replaced the Mag pickups with EMGs. Love to use a stereo cable to split the Hum, from the Piez, so I can blend an "acoustic sound" with the electric guitar sound. Using different effects for each one.
One of the most versatile guitars I have, along with my Godin with synth pickups.
Too bad the Fly models aren’t sold anymore. I once tried one. It was light as a feather but sounded like a beast! The tremolo arm required minimum pressure to bring the strings completely loose and the came perfectly in tune. I read the company went broke because it was selling an unbelievable product for the price they charged.
Amazing
Amazing! I made a couple of cardboard guitars and I did learn some things.
His guitars are still rated the highest quality 👍
I met Ken Parker. The man is truly a genius. Pretty funny man. Hope all is well Ken. DAN MANI
No shortage of truly master class builders in the works today…,but considering Mr Parker’s design prowess w electric or acoustic ….theres some thing so unique in his designs…simultaneously exotic yet utilitarian….both serving the same purpose…
I was one of the guitarists who performed on 3 of Ken’s INCREDIBLE Archtop guitars on the occasion of the induction of his instruments into the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His design and craftsmanship are indeed Masterpieces, sonically, functionally, aesthetically and musically. We need more Humans in our world who commit to the “unparalleled” within and without, who provide for the rest of us, a portal into the beauty and excellence of our own consciousnesses, through their profound dedication. Ken loaned me one of his Archtops to record my composition, “Saturation” in 2009 for my record “Revealing Essence” with my guitar/acoustic bass guitar duo “For Living Lovers” with bassist Stomu Takeishi: ua-cam.com/video/l4-9gS5ZMQc/v-deo.html
THANK YOU KEN! 🙏🏽💫🎶
🎸The Parker guitar is worthy of Captain Kirk! It looks so futuristic that it would not look out of place in a Star Trek episode. I find the design very beautiful, a real work of modern art. It looks like the guitar of Galactus or the silver surfer.🎸
best guitar maker ever.
Had a Fly years ago....sooo easy to play👍
Real innovation. Not the fake innovation of the main brands with just another color and a minor adjustments like a carved away neck heel.
I never had the chance to try his basses.
I am so stupid haha I noticed the Parker guitar on his wall and it wasn't until this far in that I realized that he's the Parker 😂
Mr. Parker. I would love more than anything to just work with you. However, I now realize that I’m supposed to meet you when you craft the corrugated cardboard guitar you were envisioning.
Parker guitar is really one of a kind. Love the unique shape.
Too bad, it's hard to find one nowadays
Nonsense
His original FLY just knocked my sox off. Still does. I just cannot afford one. Oh yeh ... I've been a player for 63 years. His FLY is the same thing as Leo's Stratocaster, in my opinion.
Somewhere in the middle, 12 - 53, 👀 my calluses hurt just thinking about it.
👌😎