The Original Parker Fly
In the early 1990's Ken Parker came up with the Parker Fly Guitar. Very ergonomic, light, unique in terms of guitar construction, it was granted dozens of patents. The design appeared on the cover of numerous music industry magazines and got lots of attention. However, despite its initial splash the guitar never achieved mainstream appeal. Nonetheless, because of its remarkable design and incredible playability the guitar has remained in production.
The Refined Parker Fly
In 2003 Ken Parker sold the brand. Around the time Ken Parker bowed out a NAMM '03 press release announced the "Refined Fly." Some cool new features were added, but most Parker fans felt it was simply an effort to create the guitar's electronics more cost effectively. In 2004 the Parker Brand was acquired by US Music Corp. Production of Parker Guitars was moved from New England to Illinois.
2012 Parker Fly
Another decade and Parker production has moved again. The move this time was much less intense. Production has shifted from one Chicago suburb (Mundelein) to another (Buffalo Grove). More interestingly, new Parker Fly's have basically been "refined" a second time. Today's Fly has a host of new features that have just come together in the past year or so. Whether you like them or not, it is worth noting the latest refinements were executed less hastily than the '03 transition.
Here are the differences that appear on the surface.
1. Master Volume on original Fly (gone on future models)
2. Stacked tone pot for piezo pickups (gone on future models)
3. Tension wheel (for trem) outside body
4. Battery compartment on bout (move to backplate in 2003)
5. Stereo/mono switch
6. New switches and knobs. Push/pull coil tap added.
7. Refined trem arm and mount
8. Jack w automated stereo/mono switching (via Fishman powerchip)
9. New headstock design.
10. Graphtech Ghost saddles (formerly Fishman)
11. New switches (higher quality than earlier Refined Fly's)
12. Traditional jack mount (stereo/mono switching).
Of all the changes covered here the headstock is easily the most controversial. Every twist and turn on the original Fly was brilliantly conceived by Ken Parker. Many feel this is simply not something that should be messed with. However, the Parker Fly circa 2012 has strong appeal to some players (particularly those who are newer to the brand) and the guitar is very striking since the move to Graphtech piezo system which gives the hardware a very nice, stark, black, monochromatic vibe.
