the 1998 parker fly deluxe came this morning. it's a lovely strange blue not black as i thought.now i'm a 70 yr old player who has owned some custom made top end guitars. i never bought one of these whan they came out because of the shape. i have missed playing the best guitar on the planet all these years. it is a revelation, i love it, and all my other guitars are on standby at the minute. i have so much to try to make up in the time that i have left. thank you ken parker.
I have a 95 deluxe. Been using the Deluxe since 96..... a few years of searching and back to the Parker.... Best I've had and I have some great instruments incl a high end JP7. I love it.
Coming back a month later, I've fallen in love with the white custom shop that you reviewed. This? F-ing sick, man. Beautiful tone, and I like the shape now. Lol.
One of the guys at the local pawnshop owns a gorgeous Fly in this textured silver finish. Just holding it blew my mind! Congrats on the awesome find. :D
i've got one in black coming on sunday. it's an american one, 1998. i don't think i'm gonna be disapointed. great guitar and great playing by the way. thank you.
nice you have good taste in guitars I have one and like you say it picks up everything mine runs off and leaves me all the time I cant keep up with it practically plays its self I enjoy you vids thanks for posting
I really want a Parker, so so bad, but the one thing I do not like about the older ones is the DiMarzio pickups they used -- I can hear it in this video; they just sound so meh, so flat and sterile, almost like actives but they still have that dynamic element that passives have. The new Parkers use Seymour Duncan customs for the most part, and I personally think they sound a million times better -- Duncans tend to have a lot more "oomph" to them, just an overall fuller sound without losing the highs.
It’s because how Parkers are built, they’re thin and wrapped in carbon fiber, they actually keep more high frequencies in tact. Personally I love how original Parkers sound, although at times I would have liked to switch pickups. It’s nearly impossible to retrofit other pickups into it.
I should also mention that you're INSANELY lucky to have purchased this when you did -- Last month, Parker closed their USA custom shop and no longer make guitars...they are telling everyone they're looking for a new place to source their guitars from and will "re-open" soon, but I can not believe that any other shop in the world is capable of doing what that shop did with the CF wraps and everything.
Dude I got it second hand too, it was a hell of a steal. I'll never part with it. The price on it would be like $3k because I just don't want to get rid of the thing.
Nice...Parker is actually coming back for 2017 -- they just posted a message on their site. I think the higher end models are now being made at Ola Strandberg's Custom Shop.
Yeah that happened to a bunch of them because the factory that created the glue failed to disclose a change in the formula. It wasn't Parker's fault whatsoever because they literally didn't know until a ton of guitars were already finished. This guitar in particular didn't seem to have that issue whatsoever. It's so sad!
Hi Paul! Great demo. Thank you for sharing. You play really well and really show the versatility of the instrument. Couple of questions. Are you going direct into the mac behind you? What interface are you using into your mac? Thanks!
+Paul Ozz I just played a parker fly at a local shop for the first time. I'm intrigued enough to bid on one of these on ebay.... It's a hard tail PF classic. Hopefully by 8:28 I will be the proud owner!
As the apparent understanding I have now, is that you have the cream of the crop. If that is the case, is it the Mojo fly or an much older Parker, I can remember in the 70s folks talking about the Parker Fly, I believe that the more modern parkers have a different pick up configuration than the older. So I ask is this the best guitar in the world
+Paul Ozz the active and passive switch without the pezio and the fiber construction and real wood core all became different in the later years till the American parker custom shop closed it's doors around 2014 I belief. but you own one so I take your word. I ve been subject to urgers to make a buy over the years. But failed to find both opportunity and price range. For those that live in the world of the Fly, I admire your ability to choose a very good guitar. To learn the differences between the value of a good fly an open fly and the Mojo fly would be a venture I will achieve in the coming months in hopes of achievement of a long life dream. Thanks again for the opportunity to openly discuss the virtue of the Fly.
For no other reason in the world, the design of this guitar screams perfection and admiration. To have active pickup dynamic actually frightens me a bit. Those are the tones of dreams and very powerful artistic virtuosity. I do believe that the most prolific of artistic demands can be met by this combination of art and application. Bravo or Brava dependent
Majorly, the wheel under the bridge in the pre-refineds sometimes caused exploding guitars. So I'd count that as a major selling point to get a refined, just personally. That and not needing a stereo cable to connect your piezo and magnetic pickups out to an amp - in the refineds its just a simple switch and happy days.
I have the same model, for sale now; anyone interested? I am forced to sell below market, due to a financial emergency. I won't link to it, but you can find it with a bunch of pics on Craigslist Seattle by searching Parker Fly Classic. Paul, how about a backup?
Paul Ozz avenged sevenfold, trust me they are an acquired taste if youve never heard of them but theyre lead guitarist used this in 2003, their VERYYYYY EARLY days back in '03 theyve come a far way since then
Paul Ozz yeah, understandable, deathspell omega is enjoyable for me I like them and I get it lol not many people like avenged, have you heard their new stuff?
Paul, I don’t wanna burst your bubble but that is not a Classic. I have a Classic, and 2 things: 1. Classics are a transparent red and you can see the wood through the paint. 2 Parker Fly Classics say “Classic” right under the name “Parker” on the headstock; yours says “Guitars”. I also own another Parker that says “Guitars” just like yours, but it’s not a Classic. All Parker Deluxe from the 90s have opaque colours, just like yours, and only the models Supreme (the most expensive) and Classic are Transparent. Later in the early 2000s they had more colours. The Parker Fly Classic in the 90’s only came with one colour, and it was called “Transparent Cherry” (similar to yours but never opaque). EDIT: Also, your Parker Mojo model (I think) is a post-refined, not the original Ken Parker, because you are also missing the original balancing wheel, next to the bridge, missing concentric controls for the Piezzo treble, and Master Volume, besides the single Volume you have.
Well John as far as I remember this guitars paint job is definitely transparent enough to see the wood grain. It didn't say Classic on the headstock for sure, but the wood grain was definitely visible. This is all very confusing, and ridiculous. I do remember the pickups being DiMarzio custom pickups but that's about it! It's been a long time since I owned this guitar, as I sold it to fund my Aristides 080S.
That's right, it was! I got rid of it a long time ago, and I only rarely miss it. The pickups were fantastic, that's about it in terms of my memory of this one.
the 1998 parker fly deluxe came this morning. it's a lovely strange blue not black as i thought.now i'm a 70 yr old player who has owned some custom made top end guitars. i never bought one of these whan they came out because of the shape. i have missed playing the best guitar on the planet all these years. it is a revelation, i love it, and all my other guitars are on standby at the minute. i have so much to try to make up in the time that i have left. thank you ken parker.
I have a 95 deluxe. Been using the Deluxe since 96..... a few years of searching and back to the Parker.... Best I've had and I have some great instruments incl a high end JP7. I love it.
Right on!
Coming back a month later, I've fallen in love with the white custom shop that you reviewed. This? F-ing sick, man. Beautiful tone, and I like the shape now. Lol.
Gonna get one again!
One of the guys at the local pawnshop owns a gorgeous Fly in this textured silver finish. Just holding it blew my mind! Congrats on the awesome find. :D
BWAHHH!! I MUST BUY THIS INSTRUMENT!! I demand to know where you found this guitar!
love the filming and playing. Nice video and good review.
Really good review and just ordered this sick guitar!!!!
i've got one in black coming on sunday. it's an american one, 1998. i don't think i'm gonna be disapointed. great guitar and great playing by the way. thank you.
Sounds nice ! You can definitely see that its a bit older , it has the old school Headstock :)
The older the better seems to be the way it goes - but man. I LOVE this guitar. LOVE_LOVE_LOVE.
that clean tone with the coil split sounded just just.... gawd i can't find the word
how about sound comparison this composite guitar to regular wood guitar? just suggestion, i did'n see this tipe comparison on yt. ;)
nice you have good taste in guitars I have one and like you say it picks up everything mine runs off and leaves me all the time I cant keep up with it practically plays its self I enjoy you vids thanks for posting
I'm new to your channel. Loved the review, really digging the guitar, and I definitely LOLed a few times. Magnifique!
Glad you enjoyed the video man! Cheers and all the best!
I really want a Parker, so so bad, but the one thing I do not like about the older ones is the DiMarzio pickups they used -- I can hear it in this video; they just sound so meh, so flat and sterile, almost like actives but they still have that dynamic element that passives have. The new Parkers use Seymour Duncan customs for the most part, and I personally think they sound a million times better -- Duncans tend to have a lot more "oomph" to them, just an overall fuller sound without losing the highs.
It’s because how Parkers are built, they’re thin and wrapped in carbon fiber, they actually keep more high frequencies in tact. Personally I love how original Parkers sound, although at times I would have liked to switch pickups. It’s nearly impossible to retrofit other pickups into it.
I should also mention that you're INSANELY lucky to have purchased this when you did -- Last month, Parker closed their USA custom shop and no longer make guitars...they are telling everyone they're looking for a new place to source their guitars from and will "re-open" soon, but I can not believe that any other shop in the world is capable of doing what that shop did with the CF wraps and everything.
Dude I got it second hand too, it was a hell of a steal. I'll never part with it. The price on it would be like $3k because I just don't want to get rid of the thing.
Nice...Parker is actually coming back for 2017 -- they just posted a message on their site.
I think the higher end models are now being made at Ola Strandberg's Custom Shop.
what's the animals as leaders riff you played at 4:14 ?
HOORAY PAUL! Nice freakin' score buddy! Damn I want some stainless...
I've read about the glued-on frets FALLING OFF these VERY high-priced guitars. ... other than that, they seem to be fantastic.
Yeah that happened to a bunch of them because the factory that created the glue failed to disclose a change in the formula. It wasn't Parker's fault whatsoever because they literally didn't know until a ton of guitars were already finished. This guitar in particular didn't seem to have that issue whatsoever. It's so sad!
@@PaulOuzounov thanks for that education Paul.
Axe-FX settings?
Hi Paul! Great demo. Thank you for sharing. You play really well and really show the versatility of the instrument. Couple of questions. Are you going direct into the mac behind you? What interface are you using into your mac? Thanks!
+Mark De Souza I am using an Axe FX 2! Thank you so much for the compliments on such an old vid!
+Paul Ozz I just played a parker fly at a local shop for the first time. I'm intrigued enough to bid on one of these on ebay.... It's a hard tail PF classic. Hopefully by 8:28 I will be the proud owner!
Question, have you ever used a guitar with a sustainiac?
Well made guitar, i would never put that thing down if had one. Awesome playing, i would scared of people stealing, its not that many out there.
I gladly sold it and bought an Aristides - much better tuning stability and they are actually available haha! Parkers are great but 'done'.
what strings gauge?
As the apparent understanding I have now, is that you have the cream of the crop. If that is the case, is it the Mojo fly or an much older Parker, I can remember in the 70s folks talking about the Parker Fly, I believe that the more modern parkers have a different pick up configuration than the older. So I ask is this the best guitar in the world
+JED TAYLOR No but it's damn near close :)
+Paul Ozz the active and passive switch without the pezio and the fiber construction and real wood core all became different in the later years till the American parker custom shop closed it's doors around 2014 I belief. but you own one so I take your word. I ve been subject to urgers to make a buy over the years. But failed to find both opportunity and price range. For those that live in the world of the Fly, I admire your ability to choose a very good guitar. To learn the differences between the value of a good fly an open fly and the Mojo fly would be a venture I will achieve in the coming months in hopes of achievement of a long life dream. Thanks again for the opportunity to openly discuss the virtue of the Fly.
For no other reason in the world, the design of this guitar screams perfection and admiration. To have active pickup dynamic actually frightens me a bit. Those are the tones of dreams and very powerful artistic virtuosity. I do believe that the most prolific of artistic demands can be met by this combination of art and application. Bravo or Brava dependent
How do people even talk about Parker Fly in the 70s? They came out in 1992z
Sounds awesome!!
Can you put a Video Up of this with Heavy Riffing ? or even a soundcloud or something?
Yes.
IronGuitarist awesome! Can't wait!
hey man how much does the Classic weigh? i heard its even lighter than the Deluxe?
+adramelk44 It's like 5lbs man, SUPER light!!
So you're telling me, if I'm thinking about buying one, to just go for it, right?
Back then? Yes. Nowadays I'm not so sure.
Paul Ozz So would you say prerefined or refined.
Reeeefined probably.
Paul Ozz Pro's and Con's?
Majorly, the wheel under the bridge in the pre-refineds sometimes caused exploding guitars. So I'd count that as a major selling point to get a refined, just personally. That and not needing a stereo cable to connect your piezo and magnetic pickups out to an amp - in the refineds its just a simple switch and happy days.
I have the same model, for sale now; anyone interested? I am forced to sell below market, due to a financial emergency. I won't link to it, but you can find it with a bunch of pics on Craigslist Seattle by searching Parker Fly Classic.
Paul, how about a backup?
Yo soy latinoamericano y esa para mi es la Parker fly de Gustavo cerati
i have heard bout the frets literately falling off of these, seems to be a common fault
+Aaron Mifsud Mine are solid, even now!
+surgeyX Thatll do it!!
+Aaron Mifsud Had my Notedly since 1999, it's built beautifully, never had a problem with anything.
Care to provide the year(s)? Thanks!
einarabelc5
Check the forums on their website. There should be a sticky about it. I don't know them offhand, sorry.
dave martone is a monster player!!!!!!!
Can you give more details when compared to a very well Set up Floyd.
Your awesome.. thats all I have to say
Well fuck dude you're awesome thank YOU :)
Mantaap
RIP ESP guitars!
I came here from "second heartbeat, vans warped tour 2003"
who?
Paul Ozz avenged sevenfold, trust me they are an acquired taste if youve never heard of them but theyre lead guitarist used this in 2003, their VERYYYYY EARLY days back in '03 theyve come a far way since then
ahhh. yeah i dont like them. deathspell omega is an acquired taste tbh tho haha
Paul Ozz yeah, understandable, deathspell omega is enjoyable for me I like them and I get it lol not many people like avenged, have you heard their new stuff?
Paul, I don’t wanna burst your bubble but that is not a Classic. I have a Classic, and 2 things: 1. Classics are a transparent red and you can see the wood through the paint. 2 Parker Fly Classics say “Classic” right under the name “Parker” on the headstock; yours says “Guitars”. I also own another Parker that says “Guitars” just like yours, but it’s not a Classic. All Parker Deluxe from the 90s have opaque colours, just like yours, and only the models Supreme (the most expensive) and Classic are Transparent. Later in the early 2000s they had more colours. The Parker Fly Classic in the 90’s only came with one colour, and it was called “Transparent Cherry” (similar to yours but never opaque).
EDIT: Also, your Parker Mojo model (I think) is a post-refined, not the original Ken Parker, because you are also missing the original balancing wheel, next to the bridge, missing concentric controls for the Piezzo treble, and Master Volume, besides the single Volume you have.
Well John as far as I remember this guitars paint job is definitely transparent enough to see the wood grain. It didn't say Classic on the headstock for sure, but the wood grain was definitely visible. This is all very confusing, and ridiculous. I do remember the pickups being DiMarzio custom pickups but that's about it! It's been a long time since I owned this guitar, as I sold it to fund my Aristides 080S.
Noice
It's very unforgiving.
That's right, it was! I got rid of it a long time ago, and I only rarely miss it. The pickups were fantastic, that's about it in terms of my memory of this one.
too much bla bla bla