Ken Parker Archtoppery - The Neck Journey - 3) Origin Story

[@zeca5150]

Ken, as a luthier in Brazil I can endorse your words: "bass players just want to sound good... guitar player's expectations are unreasonable". Genious!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Shame, isn't it?

[@johannherveux1490]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440strangely, since I started guitar but strangely looked after bass and what some of the bass student in my jazz school were playing, I found myself kinda jealous of them, all those amazing design, beautiful construction and ideas. Sadly as a music student I was too broke to buy the few stuff truly groundbreaking on guitar when it was available, such as the Parker Fly, or the rare Paradis nylon solid body from Rolf Spuler. Guitar player are fashion victims. They buy what some guys plays, only to look like them, pretend to be, like waving a stick pretending it’s Excalibur and they’re King Arthur. I say that when I see my friend buying a Lukather Valley Arts over 10k€…

[@larryatha3221]

Interesting - as an engineer I just love hearing and thinking about your design trades and the thought process and experiences that drove you to solutions- thanks as always Ken! I hope I get to meet you someday. On top of that - you present it all with such Joy (like Spanish “Allegria” a deep seated happiness that nothing can kill ) . I just love watching you and hearing your passion and peace.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks. Bless you!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Loved hearing the Fly origin story. My '95 Fly Deluxe is a remarkable instrument that always plays great and is always in tune!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks! Keep the rubber side down!

[@markboreland5550]

dear ken parker, i started playing when i was 18 cos i couldnt afford a guitar when i was younger and it always bugged me, i saw your guitar when it was released, a guy i knew called maz mitrenko had one and as soon as i saw it i knew i wanted one, he let me have a go and i was totally sold on it, there was a cherry red i think it was, fly deluxe in my local music store for 1000 gbp, which was close to the price of a les paul at the time, and i got a job and paid for it in bits, even did 70-80hr weeks to get it paid off sooner but it was well worth it, it was by far the best guitar i have ever heard, seen , played or owned, i joined a band with a few friends and the other guitar player who was also my teacher at the time kept calling it a womans guitar and taking the piss out of me, but always wanted to play it, and convinced me i needed to trade it in for a les paul standard, and unwillingly i did, partly because i used the trade to get a 4x12 cabinet too, but i always regretted that decision, evryone i knew asked me why, and after telling them they all said, guitar players and non guitar players, that i should have ignored them and been true to myself, so ever since ive always played what i liked but wish to god id never traded it in, it was amazing, they were amazing and still are today, well ahead of their time, also the piezo i used for acoustic parts and ive never been able to recapture the magic this guitar gave me in respects to sound and playability, its such a shame you stopped making them, but after watching this video i see you still have the prototypes, and i have a cnc machine large enough to make a full size fly replica, that has more than enough accuracy to attain what is required i think, as im in the uk and flys are as rare as hens teeth over here, i dont want to mass produce them i just want to make myself one and use spare parts for the hardware, but cant find enough information to even start constructing one myself, was the neck and body seperate? as ive seen pictures of neck joints for the fly and in this video it looks like one solid piece, also what is the specific name of the impregnated resin coating you used to use to reinforce the structure, and are there any cad drawings or stl files of the final body and neck i could get to be able to make a body and neck, what did you come to use for the truss rod, i saw videos where you say you were using piano wire, sorry for the huge rant ect but im finding it difficult getting a solid answer to these questions so here i am

[@JuanjoNarive]

Mr. Parker is one of the biggest minds in guitar innovation, thank you.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks.

[@TheFoMMoFProject]

Ken, you showed the world the way to make even back in the early 90ies the instruments of tomorrow. I wish everybody had followed your paradigm shift but it turns out, you were probably 70-100 years ahead so I guess the rest of the world still needs time to catch up. Two of your children, a '98 Fly Classic and a '95 Fly Deluxe are safe and sound with me (here in Greece), and these are my #1 and #2 axes. Thank you so much, God bless you!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Wow, What a compliment! I'm so glad your Fly guitars are such good allies! Thank You!

[@arunkarthikma3121]

Yeah, all kinds of guitarists are now looking for "modern" instruments i.e. lightweight, ergonomic guitars. Principles that Ken pioneered 30 years ago. I doubt that 100 years is enough. Guitars are probably going to look the same for centuries.

[@traiviator]

Thanks for taking the time to show us these insights! Such amazing guitars. Every time I see a Parker Fly, I will think of the work that went into them.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks!

[@jamesmitchell3357]

Ah Mr. Parker, This was a trip down memory lane. Took me back to the old Fly factory days. I remember you showing me these prototypes, and the carved Bass guitars you had at your house. Thanks for the ode to the good old days.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alpeterson]

I love your guitars, I was sad the day you weren’t involved with the old brand anymore. Sadder still when they ran it into the ground. Dream guitars

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Yeah, a real bummer for me too. We just couldn't figure out how to make money, even though they were priced brutally low from a manufacturer's point of view, we just couldn't get enough folks to buy them.

[@alpeterson]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 I think you were unfortunately the first pioneer through the boutique and ultra modern design door, I think now it’s a different field of opportunities and that you paved the way. There’s lots of carbon fibre and high tech brands out there that didn’t have to be the first ones doing it and shocking the industry. You’re the giant who’s shoulders they stand on. I I think if someone else has done what you did 10-15 years before you, with their ideas and such, I think you would have possibly fared better. In any case, your Fly’s remain amazing to me and a guitar I’ve been hunting for for the past decade.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks so much for this wonderful review! We launched a modernist's take on some very competent 1950's designs in the midst of a "retro craze", so the timing couldn't have been worse for us in the marketplace. Designers who get there first don't often get to capitalize on whatever improvements or changes they introduce. Historically, there's lots of good examples of this, of course, and so it goes...Good luck finding one to suit you, and thanks!

[@JCYoo]

I remember walking into a music store in '95, and seeing my very first Fly guitar. I was 15 at the time, so they wouldn't let me play it, but I just remember thinking it was the coolest guitar I had ever seen. It was incredible to see what went into building this instrument. I loved your vision and thinking progress. Thank you for sharing.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks for your story, happy to be of service!

[@Gorbyrev]

Fascinating. My '95 Deluxe and my '97 Nitefly still both play like new. After 28 years of play the wear item is the string, not the fret. It's true, nothing plays like a Parker.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks, Great to hear this. I had hoped to design and build a guitar to last and last.

[@joeking433]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 Why doesn't anyone make Flys any more? What happened to Parker guitars that they don't make Flys any longer?

[@DanielRodriguez-eh1qd]

The Parker Fly is still the best feeling guitar I’ve ever played. Although I haven’t played one since the late 90s I still think about the playability and shape of the whole guitar. The SS frets just let you bend notes effortlessly. I hope one day to afford one but since the original run is no longer being made collectors are reselling them at crazy prices who knows when that will be.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Good luck, be patient!

[@sgj8929]

Proud owner of 1993 Parker Fly Deluxe "Hard Tail". Here I though I was somewhat of an aficionado! Stuff I've never seen or heard of before! Ken- an often overlooked feature of the neck unique (as far as I know) to Parker, is the neck radius sanded "under tension"! No other maker did this!? Did anyone pick up this method?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I learned to do this preload method while refretting a couple thousand guitars in the '70's and '80's, and it has proven to be the only way to get it just-right every time. I can't explain why others don't do it, as I just can't imagine why they don't!! The ever-popular "get it straight and cross you fingers" method that the major builders use in production caused lots of problems with warped, bumpy and twisted necks. Straightening out these unplayable necks enabled me to perfect my understanding of the nuts & bolts of getting things just so, and figuring out how to ensure that they'd stay that way after they walked out the door. If you string up a de-fretted neck, you can evaluate the FB surface and make the precise corrections to bring it to truth. If you don't, you might as well wear a blindfold and buy a lottery ticket. Later in the neck journey, I'll detail my learning and evolution that contributed to my understanding, and show exactly how it goes where I live. I'll hope it helps!

[@demesisx]

Thanks for taking the time to show us your process. I used to be a student of a killer guitar player named Doug Blair that went on to work at Parker. I’ve always wanted a Parker Fly but perhaps I’ve now graduated to drooling over your archtops. Thank you, Ken!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Doug is not only a killer guitar player, he's just a great guy! I'll happily build you an Archtop!

[@demesisx]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 I’ll happily take you up on that someday when I can afford one. 🙏🏼 You’re the best, Ken!

[@GuitarQuackery]

This was very enjoyable to watch. I learn something new from each one of your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Happy to be of service.

[@AlanW]

Absolutely loving hearing all of this, and learning about the journey. I wish I could have afforded a Fly when they were in production.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I have heard this before, but they're still kicking around for sale.

[@Lu_Woods]

Lovin this series. Thanks Ken ; )

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks for watching!

[@thesaj1110]

Absolutely amazing 🤩,, bring the fly back please

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

OK, can I be 40 again?

[@hkrause9166]

Thanks. So interesting. Suddenly I want a composit guitar!!!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Ha! Just take a nap, and this might pass. Might.

[@har234908234]

I can't help but think that even if you're the complete 'purist', absolutely against everything that Ken has let out into the world (and I'm definitely not for everything), that this series is an invaluable insight into the thought process - the problem solving. Guitars aren't going to be the linchpin for the human race, but letting others into your thoughts really is a noble thing in any endeavor. . Really great stuff, Ken.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks you, sir!

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Wow, what a story! pretty cool.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks, I'm still having fun, always something t learn.

[@chrispile3878]

Fascinating stuff! I didn't realize Ken was trained as a machinist.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I had a wonderful mentor, working in a small shop that made grandfather's clock movements. He treated me like a nephew, plus I earned minimum wage!

[@JayPoe80]

Awesome to hear you speak to discuss innovative methods of building guitars and engineering in general. I haven't been as excited about a youtube series in a long time! Thanks for sharing and letting us into your mind and processes. Really really good stuff!!!!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

How nice to hear. Thanks!

[@robhebert5137]

Thank you for this whole series!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

My Pleasure

[@UltraBrandon1]

Thanks so much for sharing. Really have been inspiring me to try new things with my builds.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Have fun!

[@bluearchguitars]

Respect for your willingness to share your wisdom, knowledge and experience! Can you comment on truss wire in Fly guitars one day, please?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

This is in the cans, and about to release, .078" (2mm) music wire will do the trick!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

We will do this, I promise!

[@havennewbowtow8835]

Thanks again sir, fascinating insight into how the process evolved. Bet the time in your Grandads basement was the best of times. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I had the most wonderful Grandpa ever. He taught me lots, and willed me his few but beautiful tools. It was the best of times, like winning a McCarthy Fellowship grant from my family!

[@joeking433]

One of the best presentations of how to "build a better mousetrap" that I've ever seen! Most luthiers won't even mention all the inherent flaws and problems in guitars! The only bummer is that you don't make Flys any more. I'd really like to hear your view on what happened to Parker guitars over the years and why they're no longer in production.!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks! The Fly failure was economic. Didn't have enough takers. Bummer.

[@joeking433]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 That's a shame! I think it's the best guitar ever made! You didn't seem like you had a very big operation to put out all of those guitars. How many people worked for you?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

In 1998, we peaked at 75 people on the payroll. We thought that the right number for a manufacturing company like ours was probably north of 100, and never made it there. As I result, lots of us wore to many hats that worked against efficiency. eg: Apart from designing and engineering the production methodology, I was the maintenance man, machine steward and toolmaker. It stretched us thin and stressed us all out. It always felt like it was just around the corner, sigh.

[@GregorHoul]

The Neck Journey series is wonderful from start to finish. Thanks a million for sharing so generously, Ken. I took notice of your "placeholder" about Floyd Rose teaching you the merits of a six inline headstock (over 3+3), but didn’t notice you getting back to it later in the series. I’d love to hear your explanation for this design choice.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I promise we'll get to the headstock, the poor, misunderstood headstock. It's all about elasticity.

[@GregorHoul]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 Thank you! Looking forward to it

[@TyphonKrazilec]

As always, instruction weaved with meditation. Thank you.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

You're most welcome!

[@stevenjones6780]

I sold my white "PDF60 Indonesia" on reverb and regret it to this day. Unbeknownst to me the guitar had been largely cannibalized by the time I purchased it online from 'Dave's Music' (Chicago), and they were "kind" enough not to mention any of this to me on the phone. Even so- and with some work on my part- the guitar ended up a favorite in my 3 to 5 at a time collection (acoustics and basses included). I think about it often. Some day I hope to own another, but I'm absolutely done buying sight unseen online and reselling on "reverb". I absolutely enjoy alternative design and especially what Ken has done for so long and so far ahead of his time. THANKS KEN...

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@scottyhughes9179]

Thank you Ken for this explanation and all you videos.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

You are very welcome

[@dalgguitars]

Gotta say, that first Fly guitar is totally Kick-Ass Punk Rock! Love it. Also, now that you are a KZbinr, you need a Merch Store. And that fly sticker would be perfect merch.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Maybe one day!

[@rauschguitars]

Fascinating and inspiring! I'm really enjoying the neck journey series. Thank you for sharing!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

My Pleasure.

[@Jack_Plisken]

Good stuff Ken! Thanks for sharing!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

You bet!

[@th3m1ke]

Amazing insight into your journey and process all these years. Thank you!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

My Pleasure.

[@waynepayne864]

idk how i didnt realize this but you are the ken parker of parker guitars, i didnt make that connection even after seeing the headstock cuz ive only seen the hollowbody videos lol ive had a lot of good memories watching shows where ppl played the fly. youre a legend man

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks!

[@joemiller9856]

Thanks Ken! I am a proud owner of a fly classic, mahogany. With original pickup system. Love this guitar although I don’t play it live that often whenever I do it always “turns heads” and some will come up to me and ask about it. I wish I had some I trusted to work on it. I’ve thought for some time I’d like to drop some new pickups in it but can’t bring myself to take the risk.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Check out FlyClone.com, your online support group! Pickup swap isn't so hard, you must have an able pal packing a soldering gun with a clean tip!

[@Shmalentine]

I just discovered this channel! 😮 Ken, do you still make guitars? Oh, I hope we can revive the Fly! I had always wanted one ever since I saw the ad in a guitar mag next to a Strat and a LP back in the 90's, and when I finally got one in the early 2000's, I was ecstatic! Had to let it go a few years later due to... life, but now I'm jonesing for it again! And oh, how I want that black prototype! 🤩Holy crap, what a dream guitar - just over 2 lbs.?! Incredible! 🤯

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Yeah, that little “potato chip” guitar has proven to be nearly irresistible to anyone who gets to bang on it. 2.3 lbs, just over 1 kilo. Douglas fir and carbon/epoxy pair well!

[@totallyunmemorable]

I built my first guitar in late '76/early '77. When the Fly came along I was totally won over to the genius of your technologies. Like you (presumably), I used to spend hours in the hardware stores (back before the big box stores came along and ruined everything) looking for things to repurpose for guitar use. I never focused on cotter pins, but in the mid-90s I did manage to find some nickel silver, half-round jeweler's wire which I tried epoxying to wooden fingerboards. That's about as far as I got with that idea though - the frets kept falling off. The only things that didn't work for me with the Fly is that there were no lefties (kind of important for us southpaws), and the upper horn. I could see that you had realized one of the ergonomic problems with the upper strap-button location and addressed it by moving the button closer to the player's body. But you missed another important one. To me the ultimate location for that strap-button is on the back of the neck at about the 18-20 fret area. A guitar simply plays much better (when standing) with it located there (ask Allan Holdsworth). I relocate all my commercial guitars to that location. Of course, on many/most guitars that results in head heaviness, but wouldn't be a problem with your head design. You and Dave Bunker ought to get together and hang out. Both of you have your own unique tech-genius bent.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Cool! It would be fun to meet him!

[@totallyunmemorable]

I visited him at his shop, north of Seattle 25 years ago. I was hoping to work for him, but alas no. But we had a great visit. I was extremely impressed with his various innovations, To say nothing of his amazing virtuosity on his Duo-lectar (guitar/bass tap guitar). Truly stunning playing. Sad to see that he's passed away. @@kenparkerarchtoppery9440

[@CommissariatGames]

Im very happy to say I FINALLY added a Parker Bronze to my collection, and its the single most comfortable instrument I have EVER held. Im also sad to say that I have another Parker, a pre refined fly in ferrari red that has two frets popping off the fretboard (it was sold to me like this, I didnt know that that could even happen) and because of your VERY forward thinking and advancements in the technology, I dont even know where to look to have it safely fixed. She languishes in her case currently, and has for several years....

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Fret gluing riff coming right up. My apologies.

[@tchernishev]

Well . Mr. Fender listened to the wishes of the musicians. This is probably why the Telecaster is still popular. Mr. Parker, give me some advice. Which is better for strengthening the neck: two carbon bars or Pao Ferro bars? Thank you

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Carbon fiber bonded with high performance epoxy resin is stiffer than any organic material.

[@shannonstorer8370]

Bring them back please

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Do you mean the Fly guitar? Wait, I’m gonna have to look for the Magic Wand, it has to be around here somewhere? 30+ years ago I threw myself at this project for a decade, moving heaven and earth, as they say. The Fly was too expensive and probably too complex to survive in the marketplace that was satisfied with knock offs of Fender designs for short $. If you think I didn’t give it my all, you would be wrong. In all these years I thought someone else would take some of the technologies and use our now expired patented thingies, but really, most folks are happy with a good Tele, etc., and so it goes.

[@Ron-wf1tt]

Keep them coming..

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Promise.

[@peterlundin7953]

Awesomely inspiring! 😊

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thank you!

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

I would love to hear that Douglas fir "all-top" Fly prototype (there's another short video about it) played and recorded professionally, It's probably the most interesting guitar concept I've ever seen.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Fall by and tune it up!

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 :-D lovely offer, Sir! If I ever travel to Massachusetts, I'll make sure to take you up on it. Lots of respect and friendly greetings from across the Antlantic.

[@Ramplcro]

Great series.Can't wait for more 😄. I have a question - is high temperature/high strength epoxy necessary for carbon/glass composite on the back of the neck/body? What would happen if you would use something like ordinary West System?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Cured West System resin, along with all the other "room temperature cure" epoxies is soft and gooey compared to resins that are designed for maximum engineering performance, usually needing to be cured at elevated temperatures.The room temp stuff just doesn't cut it.

[@Ramplcro]

Than you for explanation Ken. @@kenparkerarchtoppery9440

[@TheJbh1103]

Well worth watching

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thank you, This means a lot.

[@fabriziodicarlo2591]

Molto interessante. Complimenti mr Parker 👏👏👏

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Grazie!

[@preznt4]

Models before Refine are as outstanding as your archtop. I really miss your old Parker guitars before they were refined. The design that emerged accidentally from engineering calculations turned out to be much more artistic than intentional design for aesthetic purposes. When my friend saw it, they thought of a supercar, and I thought it was a really great comparison. Thanks Ken.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Wow, thanks for your kind words! I too miss the original recipe instruments! Figuring out how to build the Fly guitar was a fantastic puzzle to solve, and I'm still proud of what our team was able to achieve. It takes a village!

[@surfgod509]

when will the Anthology of Ken Parker, can see him on the morning shows,. still a great hidden history still to be know!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Ha! I could set a record for a new low in viewership!

[@surfgod509]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 Luther's don't know what they're missing....

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Probably none of us do!

[@flapjack413]

For the past 30 years, I was completely convinced that the Fly name had to do with the instrument's weight. Never would have guessed it's actual name origin story!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I once heard that the incidence of playful, quirky project names staying attached to development projects and making it to the marketplace was more often than you wold think. Our Fly project name is a good example!

[@wrstew1272]

It’s amazing that you have all (or a lot) of your early work. Wonderful history lesson today! Do you consider yourself an inventor or a craftsman? Both? Definitely pushing the boundaries of material resources in luthery😊

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Much of my work in the early chapters was the fleshing out of headscratching for my own edification, and never intended to be for sale. As my dear brother Alan put it in the mid - 80's, "Ken, I think you're about to corner the market on prototypes!"

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

What good is a material if you can't make a great guitar by employing it? I'm lookin' at You, Kevlar!!!

[@wrstew1272]

It kills scissors, but it’s stout as metal but flexible and conformal. Terrific material.

[@workingorder2189]

Wish Parker flys were still being made.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Me too. We just never figured out how to make money selling an $8500 guitar for $1300.

[@hardmaple]

안녕하세요 존경하는 파커씨 . 오늘도 멋진 작업 아이디어를 소개해 주셔서 너무 감사합니다. ^^ 늘 느끼는 부분이지만 파커씨의 새로운 시도와 열정. 그리고 아이디어에 감탄을 합니다. 이전에 한 번 글을 남겼지만 다시 한 번 저에게 큰 영감을 주시는 빌더이십니다. ^^ 만나기엔 너무나 먼 곳에 계신 분이지만 이렇게 가까이에 있는 것 같은 스승이구요. 기회가 된다면 언젠가 파커씨의 영감을 받아 만들어내는 기타를 보여드리고 싶은 마음입니다. 항상 건강하시고 행복한 날들이 가득하기를 바랍니다. (영어로 정확하게 표현하지 못해 한글(한국어)로 남깁니다. 번역기가 잘 해석해주길 바랄 뿐입니다. ^.,^ ...

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

199 / 5,000 친절한 말씀 감사합니다, 선생님! Archtoppery가 당신의 작업에 유용하다는 것을 알게 되어 기쁩니다. 미국에 오실 일이 있다면 제 작업장을 방문해 보세요. 행운을 빌고 건물에서 많은 성공을 거두시길 바랍니다!

[@jonahguitarguy]

This was very interesting Ken. Funny, just a day or two ago I was wondering where the FLY name came from. You have never hit me as a "pretty fly for a white guy" kind of fellow. The fly sticker is hilarious. And it just stuck. Yeah like the sticker. You come up with some very convoluted ways of building things. But it seems so easy the way you explain it.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Fun, right? Working with Fishman always felt like being at my favorite playground with my best friend!

[@LethalMediaProductions]

Hey ken! I have a nitefly that was gifted to me when I was 11 and still have it at 30 years and its mint and stays in tune. the number on it is 87425 USA i'm curious if you know anything about it or any history on the time it was made. The case that came with it is a parker case from cannok england not sure if i spelt it right.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Nice story! Check FlyClone.com for dating your instrument, also the right place to go for any Fly query/info. The English cases we used for a while were made by Hiscock. hiscoxcases.com/collections/electric-guitars

[@thijs199]

unrelated, but I got table, with a harmonica lift underneath from a land far far away. Goal is to use it to accurately adjust my router height. But it has a turnbuckle screw, so the turning screw remains at it position. It was just 16 bucks, probably one of my greatest Ali purchases ever.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Cool! Link??

[@thijs199]

I did sent it in the comments, but probably YT deletes that, I'll mail you a link@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440

[@RaxFx]

a 1.x Kg guitar sounds like something MANY older players would love... Can one place an order for such a specimen?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Maybe sometime?

[@Edgeedman]

Sorry if this question sounds a little weird , but how many people bought parker flys between 1994-1996

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I'm sorry, but I was so consumed with the daily duties, I never had a moment fro analysis. Maybe ask around at FlyClone.com ? they may be assembling a data base.

[@Edgeedman]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 thanks

[@donlucas3984]

Where do I find the bouble thread bridge screws for a PDF70? Thanks.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

What's a PDF70? The screws are made by MacIt. www.macit.com/product/clamp-wedge-screw/

[@noeditbookreviews]

I just consider myself lucky that I got the chance to play a Parker one time. I wish I actually owned one.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Maybe a time share?

[@keymaker_coils686]

My curiosity is peaked! 😅

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Cool

[@chrisyoung8062]

What happened to #4 in the series?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

More necking.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Coming right up!

[@jambertin54]

Are you no longer able to make the Parker Fly models?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

This ability was taken from me 20 years ago when the company was sold.

[@jambertin54]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 such a shame. They were amazing and so ahead of their time. I know you have probably answered this a million times before, but what happened? Was it simply that the company sold and you can no longer make them? Was everything lost to make the fly? Molds, measurements etc?? If you had a Fly and tore it apart, could you reverse-engineer it?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Couldn't solve the project for profitability, couldn't find enough wizards who wanted to build guitars. Tooling all went in the trash as far as I know (sniff). I could do it again, but wouldn't, having learned so much in the meantime!

[@jambertin54]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 understandable. Just one of those great "things of the past" that was ahead of it's time and will stay in the past. They were amazing, Ken! I'm surprised they weren't more popular.

[@karelenhenkie666]

The engineering to get to the fretboard with the glued in frets is so cool to me. Ive often thought about better ways for the fretboard and youre method is as near to a perfect solution as ive found. Only problem would be the person doing a refret not having acces to the proper glues and frets and perhaps lacking the knowledge to do the job right. Ive seen plenty of absolute hackjobs on normal refrets as well so I suppose thats always going to be a problem.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks! There were, and will be problems with any system, it's just the way it all works. I like your observation about hacked fret jobs. I did repair work for 15 years to support my guitarmaking habit, and just when you think you've seen it all, there's a new low that walks in the door, bleeding out. I sure am glad that pilots and surgeons need to pass stringent exams to take their places, and I wonder if it might not be a better world if there was a robust "Don't =do=it=yourself movement when it comes to frets? Like figure skating, it looks so casual and easy when it's done by an accomplished genius.

[@bluglass7819]

I think bass guitar players are more open minded because it’s such a young instrument. Bass players seem to like my guitars more than guitar players yet I’m obsessed with guitars?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

What's wrong with now?

[@bluglass7819]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 I am in the middle of my first bass now. A friend kept pushing me to make a bass until I couldn’t say no. I proceeded to at a very slow rate. Hopefully I will get surgery soon and can dive in to all of it with my full passion soon. I think I build some pretty beautiful semi hollow electrics. I love how you aren’t bound by tradition and find your videos massively inspiring. My last completed did use a bridge inspired by your videos.

[@Lauchmeister]

So, why are 6-in-line headstocks superior?:)

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

You'll have to wait for this after-length discussion, but not for long. Hint, strings are elastic.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Stay tuned, we'll get there soon. In the meantime, think about string elasticity.

[@benchinho]

I hope you will tell why all on one side headstocks are better...

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Stay tuned, coming right up!

[@SkipShooter]

Ken Parker & Charlie Kaman…Yankee engineering at its finest

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Always wanted me a helicopter!

[@KC_Schwarzberger]

No, more is more! YJM

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

You got it!

[@geemac7267]

It's interesting that the journey begins with a Fender on one end of the table. I think you show, as Leo did years ago, that the best things seem to come from creative people asking "what would happen if..." or "why not this...". We see numerous companies and builders every year at NAMM that are just making Strats and Teles with a different headstock shape. Nice guitars, but where is the creativity in that?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

We all contribute what we can imagine, and then conjure in 3D. It takes all kinds. Some of us can't help but innovate, while others hone their craft by following proven recipes expertly. Hopefully each approach yields great tools for the making of music. Me? I love me a good Tele any day!

[@BucoBucolini]

4:30-4:50 lol 😂

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I knew you'd like that, largely because it's mostly true!

[@BucoBucolini]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 yes, that's why I was literally laughing out loud as I watched, haha, don't think I ever heard someone put it better than that.

[@emmavecchione3817]

Hi Ken! I'm an audio producer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and I'd love to interview you about your work for our podcast. Would you be interested?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Of course! Please email me.

[@emmavecchione3817]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 Thank you! Emailed.

[@emmavecchione3817]

Awesome! Did you receive my email? Let me know if not!

[@nigeldaddyo]

Ken could build any manufacturer's guitar, but nobody can build his

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I'm trying to spread the word! A few builders are doing a fine job building their own version of my recipe. Hurray!

[@MiraiJikanImage]

I prefer Parker to PRS.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thank you