Was just thinking about the Parker Fly and how I don't hear anything about them anymore. Why is that, did they close shop? The Fly was pretty popular on here at one time.
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What happened to Parker Guitars?
- Thread starter Rooster009
- Start date
The Internet is your friend:
Parker Guitars was an American manufacturer of electric and acoustic guitars[1] and basses, founded by luthier Ken Parker in 1993. Parker guitars were distinguished for their characteristically lightweight and the use of composite materials.[2]
Parker Guitars
Former type
Private
Industry Musical instruments
Founded 1993
Founder Ken Parker
Defunct 2016; 4 years ago
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois,
United States
Products electric and acousticguitars, basses
Parent Jam Industries (2009–16)
Parker's most famous guitar was the Fly model, an electric guitar made of composite and a carbon fiber exoskeleton providing the rigidity, and a core of traditional hardwood. The mixture of materials resulted in a lighter instrument that weighed only 2 kg. This model was highly appreciated by musicians and well received by critics.[3]
The Parker company was acquired by the U.S. Music Corporation in 2003, which was itself sold to Jam Industries in August 2009. As of November 2016, the brand was inactive after the factory in Illinois was closed.
Parker Guitars was an American manufacturer of electric and acoustic guitars[1] and basses, founded by luthier Ken Parker in 1993. Parker guitars were distinguished for their characteristically lightweight and the use of composite materials.[2]
Parker Guitars
Former type
Private
Industry Musical instruments
Founded 1993
Founder Ken Parker
Defunct 2016; 4 years ago
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois,
United States
Products electric and acousticguitars, basses
Parent Jam Industries (2009–16)
Parker's most famous guitar was the Fly model, an electric guitar made of composite and a carbon fiber exoskeleton providing the rigidity, and a core of traditional hardwood. The mixture of materials resulted in a lighter instrument that weighed only 2 kg. This model was highly appreciated by musicians and well received by critics.[3]
The Parker company was acquired by the U.S. Music Corporation in 2003, which was itself sold to Jam Industries in August 2009. As of November 2016, the brand was inactive after the factory in Illinois was closed.
Well I could have asked Google and had no discussion with anyone or I could have asked here and possibly had a discussion with people that are fans of the brand. I think I made the right choice. Thank you for the info though. It's a shame that they were closed down. From what I remember, they were pretty awesome basses
I remember seeing the Parker Fly (Guitar) and that one of my guitarist friends was very impressed with it. I didn't even realize they made a bass version until years later. They look pretty cool.
The bass version looked like it had a huge body, but maybe that's just because I was used to seeing the guitar version
The bass version looked like it had a huge body, but maybe that's just because I was used to seeing the guitar version
I played one of the early, original version Parker basses back in the early '00s. Interesting instrument, AIR.
The construction concept was somewhat bizarre but they sounded great. The Fly had a rather pronounced "whalehump" on the upper horn which would poke you in the sternum.
Riis
Riis
I played a Parker Fly bass at that now defunct boutique guitar shop in the Virginia Highlands section of Atlanta a few years ago. Wish I'd bought it. Super light . Sounded and played great.
I've never played one but I can remember wanting to try one pretty bad when they first came out. It looks like prices are way up there still.
I had a chance to play a yellow Parker fretless bass a few years ago. Unusual looking bass. It felt good and it sounded good but it just wasn't for me.
I actually just came across one of the guitars in a local shop. That brought back memories.
The guitar version was pretty cool. The bass version looked like an extracted molar.
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,944
- 29,555
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
I lusted for a Parker since the first time I tried one at the Guitar Center I worked at (during the late 90's in San Francisco). But they were very expensive for a starving artist that I was at the time, and I never got good enough at guitar to feel like I deserved a premium instrument like that (and I wasn't interested in the cheaper models they came out with later). I hope one day the company is resurrected.
To me it seems like they got out of the game too fast. For all of us aging musicians where instrument weight is now a concern, it seems like they would have a market. In 1993 I could care less about instrument weight, age changes everything.
Have you tried out a Sandberg Super Light? 3 kilos!To me it seems like they got out of the game too fast. For all of us aging musicians where instrument weight is now a concern, it seems like they would have a market. In 1993 I could care less about instrument weight, age changes everything.
So (supposedly) are your fellow TB members.
I owned a fly mojo, probably the best guitar I ever owned. Truly effortless to play, super light, tons of sound/tone options, very tough/durable, never needed a set up...almost a perfect electric guitar.
The downside was that it looked goofy and was not as comfortable as a strat sitting down.
Parker guitars are now going back up in value. I'm currently looking to snatch one up.
The downside was that it looked goofy and was not as comfortable as a strat sitting down.
Parker guitars are now going back up in value. I'm currently looking to snatch one up.
Given the construction and tone of the guitars, I think standard frets instead of the steel they used (way ahead of their time) would have made a difference in the tone of the guitars.
Roland GR 88
Commercial User
I own a Fly Deluxe and a Southern Nitefly. They're both the nicest playing guitars I've owned. The Southern is a Parker Tele that blows Fender's away on the tone front. The Deluxe practically plays itself.
I was lucky enough to find them before the prices started to rise and they'll go with me to my grave.
I couldn't care less how a guitar looks and long ago got used to the upper horn digging into my ribs. Both are minor issues that have no impact on how they play. Both intonate almost perfectly and the Fly in particular needs a tuning about once a month.
Great guitars but not surprising that Jam Industries mothballed a brand that they have zero experience in building.
I was lucky enough to find them before the prices started to rise and they'll go with me to my grave.
I couldn't care less how a guitar looks and long ago got used to the upper horn digging into my ribs. Both are minor issues that have no impact on how they play. Both intonate almost perfectly and the Fly in particular needs a tuning about once a month.
Great guitars but not surprising that Jam Industries mothballed a brand that they have zero experience in building.
