How Ken Parker Changed the Guitar World Forever: Work/Shop

[@daddarioandco]

Which other shops or luthiers would you like to see us feature?

[@stevieraveon]

Schorr Guitars, Teuffel, Honeytea instruments, verso instruments, James Trussart Guitars

[@poppajunzie7212]

David Freeman @ Timeless Instruments. Runs a school. Would be an interesting feature to see how he came up with the pedagogy of guitar making.

[@Katd16]

Dean Gordon Guitars!!

[@kmatax9237]

Rick Toone

[@ssiowi]

Angela Christensen of Breedlove in Bend, OR.

[@trueherbsman]

I love having the 'how & why' of the resonant bliss I feel when playing a Parker spelled out so clearly too.

[@HexaneLake]

Thank you for doing this, D'Addario. The genius of Ken Parker must be preserved!

[@bluglass7819]

Check out his Archtoppery series of videos if you haven’t already. Every episode has been good for my brain.

[@Gorbyrev]

Such a humble and gifted luthier. He has an amazing KZbin 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.

[@JoeGibson-p7f]

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.

[@RisikoAO]

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.

[@daddarioandco]

Very well said!

[@ChadB-r5c]

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!!!

[@demokraatti]

Ken has a great YT channel full of guitar knowledge. I recommend to watch those videos if you want to know more about guitars.

[@findJLF]

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.

[@johncolaluca2231]

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. 😄

[@jacobpittman1996]

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!

[@aquabot]

Damn, I wish I could find one too.

[@jacobpittman1996]

@@aquabot maybe time for a trip to Massachusetts.

[@aquabot]

@@jacobpittman1996 Just for a guitar? Well it's as bad as any other reason for a trip, isn't it? 😉

[@rectangularcuboid]

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!

[@pcar928fan]

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.

[@volesrock]

I just stumbled across his archtop series. I had no idea. The guy is beyond genius level engineer and craftsman.

[@andy.pitcher]

one of a kind, his generosity in sharing his lifetime of knowledge is unmatched. his archtoppery series is unparalleled.

[@versoinstruments]

Beautiful documentary about the goat! I was pretty moved to see his crossed out Parker guitars banner: “Ken again. back to what I love”

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

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 😊

[@TheNino37]

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.

[@trueherbsman]

NEVER give up on your Fly dream!

[@ssiowi]

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!

[@RichHayes-s2e]

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!

[@southport65]

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!

[@writewheel]

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.

[@emilybalcerak7861]

This is incredible. Ken is such a unique talent.

[@gabrielsebastian3752]

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!

[@jasonjayalap]

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".

[@MrLelo17]

Ned has collaborated/ designed a lot of accessories with D’Addario.

[@andy.pitcher]

agreed!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

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 😆

[@BrendanMakesMusic]

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.

[@robertlucas9867]

I wish Parker guitars would come back. I always wanted a Nitefly.

[@JillandKevin]

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!!

[@bobmoire5676]

Thank you D'Ad. Kudos to Ken.

[@ninaharlach6978]

What a beautiful and inspiring video. Thank you for sharing.

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

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.

[@trueherbsman]

25 years after first trying a Fly I now am the proud possessor of the legendary axe. Eternal Gratitude Mr.Parker

[@JimmyGallowayGuitar]

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

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

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. 😊

[@vogtgrant1]

Ken is genius luthier who I feel is extremely underrated!

[@Jack_Plisken]

Ken is the best! Love my Parkers! The Fly is the most underrated electric guitar ever!

[@seanhallahan14]

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.

[@samhouston6750]

What a well spoken dude! Thanks D'Addario

[@woofcity6307]

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

[@magnusmacsween5322]

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.

[@athansklavis5665]

This man is brilliant !

[@pcar928fan]

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!

[@rudiyantohalim736]

Parker guitar is really one of a kind. Love the unique shape. Too bad, it's hard to find one nowadays

[@chrispile3878]

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.

[@leoquesto9183]

Love Ken. This is great.

[@geemac7267]

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.

[@Madakalim]

Hey hey from Rochester NY! House Of Guitars is prob that place who told you "Dont touch that please" hahaha

[@garywhitt98]

The Parker Fly is one of the most beautiful guitars ever made.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

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.

[@erikrummel6277]

Ken is a national treasure.

[@VictorGonzalez-gk1nr]

I wish this video was an hour long. I could hear Ken Parker all they long.

[@RJSel-uw7ih]

best guitar maker ever.

[@Barry101er]

Thanks for sharing; I did not know the whole story 😊

[@alanagottalottasay997]

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…

[@revzone3544]

Awesome thanks

[@cannaguitars4593]

Legend.

[@chickenlickin3820]

Amazing Instruments Ken : ) x

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Amazing! I made a couple of cardboard guitars and I did learn some things.

[@juancarlosrosamedina]

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.

[@michaelr.4878]

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.

[@billchriswell2925]

Had a Fly years ago....sooo easy to play👍

[@Tonetwisters]

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.

[@Satchmoeddie]

I am NOT a D'Addario string fan. If they would do one simple thing, I'd use their strings on everything I play, and that is use brass ball ends. I solder the wraps and the eyes to the ball ends, and my strings will NOT break. I have been doing that for 52 years now. I have rubbed the windings off D strings at the frets and the plain strings never broke, and I am bending the crap out of them. I cannot solder to aluminum unless I use super acidic flux.

[@TheLochs]

Crazy, I never knew he lives like 30 minutes from me.

[@petersheely7246]

👌😎

[@MrRidleyDog]

Been playing guitar for 30 years, have never seen, played or seen anyone playing a Parker.

[@floydcouncil1690]

Check out shatnershairpiece. It is a guy in Vancouver, doing covers with a Parker.

[@mplsmark222]

He glossed over the history of the Parker Guitar company. What happened ?

[@godsinbox]

'what cant they all sound this good, that guitar was an outlier' exactly the reason why the guitar industry should've stopped, now all the hardwood is gone. Now we buy with your eyes, on a whim, and buy another when it sounds terrible.

[@stephencampbell2018]

Come on guys. The tele changed it all. The strat and Les Paul were right behind the tele. The Parker? lol

[@daverandolph1245]

None of this would have happened if he had a phone in his hand and PlayStations to occupy our time. Technology is good but it has destroyed a lot of things that could have been. We need to put down our phones and come back to earth and nature and really listen to one another. Hell people use a phone to tune their guitars. Learn how to tune your guitar by ear and really know the instrument.

[@rectangularcuboid]

From CKY to archtops, whoda thunkit? This man is an inspiration and I've been eating up his vids for the past month. Spot on feature @daddarioandco