Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
You're extremely cynical.
You're extremely cynical.
New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
- Thread starter SirJackdeFuzz
- Start date
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
Vernon Reid of In Living Color uses them, as does Adrian Belew. They both have signature models.
Vernon Reid of In Living Color uses them, as does Adrian Belew. They both have signature models.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
I know a lot of people that know Ken well seeing he is local to Boston. I have also met him at a few shows. The one thing I have heard over and over is Ken Parker is a straight shooter.
The last Parker USA designs were archtop electrics, that is the direction Ken wanted to go in and eventually did. I would leave it to Ken Parker to tell us what his vision is.
I know a lot of people that know Ken well seeing he is local to Boston. I have also met him at a few shows. The one thing I have heard over and over is Ken Parker is a straight shooter.
The last Parker USA designs were archtop electrics, that is the direction Ken wanted to go in and eventually did. I would leave it to Ken Parker to tell us what his vision is.
DreX
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
That's fantastic that you can judge his earnestness by virtue of proximity and mutual acquaintances, but at the same time it's very rare that someone says "I did it for the money". Saying you want to spend more time designing guitars is the luthier's equivalent of wanting to spend more time with the family.
Like I said, he stated a plausible problem, but an implausible solution to problem, this remains the case, so that's pretty much that.
That's fantastic that you can judge his earnestness by virtue of proximity and mutual acquaintances, but at the same time it's very rare that someone says "I did it for the money". Saying you want to spend more time designing guitars is the luthier's equivalent of wanting to spend more time with the family.
Like I said, he stated a plausible problem, but an implausible solution to problem, this remains the case, so that's pretty much that.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
I'm glad you've developed the ability to accurately assess the life situation of a person you've never met via internet hearsay and cynical observations and determine the validity of their chose course of actions in a sweeping and condescending manner.
I'm glad you've developed the ability to accurately assess the life situation of a person you've never met via internet hearsay and cynical observations and determine the validity of their chose course of actions in a sweeping and condescending manner.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
GREAT . . . thanks . . . never knew he did, but then again, i am not the biggest fan of his band.
The only guy i knew who use the older one, was one of the guitarists form the weird synthy-NUmetal'ish band, ORGY.
http://www.amir-derakh.com/collection-parker_flydeluxe.php
GREAT . . . thanks . . . never knew he did, but then again, i am not the biggest fan of his band.
The only guy i knew who use the older one, was one of the guitarists form the weird synthy-NUmetal'ish band, ORGY.
http://www.amir-derakh.com/collection-parker_flydeluxe.php
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
BUGGER . . . i forgot about Adrian Belew !
BUGGER . . . i forgot about Adrian Belew !
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
Parker Flys have been played by Adrian Belew, Matthew Bellamy, David Bowie, Steve DeMarchi of The Cranberries, Alias and Sherriff, The Edge, Mark Farner, Reeves Gabrels, Synyster Gates, Daniel Gildenlöw, Phil Keaggy, Earl Landry II, Brian May, Joni Mitchell, Dave Navarro, Lou Reed, Trent Reznor, Paul Simon, Pete Townshend, Gustavo Cerati, Joe Walsh and David Lynch.
FWIW - I say an interview with Dave Navarro and he thought the Parker was the ugliest guitar he had ever seen but loved the sound.
Parker Flys have been played by Adrian Belew, Matthew Bellamy, David Bowie, Steve DeMarchi of The Cranberries, Alias and Sherriff, The Edge, Mark Farner, Reeves Gabrels, Synyster Gates, Daniel Gildenlöw, Phil Keaggy, Earl Landry II, Brian May, Joni Mitchell, Dave Navarro, Lou Reed, Trent Reznor, Paul Simon, Pete Townshend, Gustavo Cerati, Joe Walsh and David Lynch.
FWIW - I say an interview with Dave Navarro and he thought the Parker was the ugliest guitar he had ever seen but loved the sound.
DreX
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
You couldn't have mischaracterized my post any more if you had tried.
"Internet hearsay"? You apparently didn't read the article, the source was Forbes and the quote from Ken Parker himself.
And I said nothing of "validity" about his "course of actions". There's nothing wrong with cashing out, the question of validity applies to his explanation as to why he did so.
And who said anything about "accurate"?
I'm honest about the limitations of the information I have on hand, but this is forum for discussion, so discuss I will.
Yeah, we're all such polite people here, aren't we?
You couldn't have mischaracterized my post any more if you had tried.
"Internet hearsay"? You apparently didn't read the article, the source was Forbes and the quote from Ken Parker himself.
And I said nothing of "validity" about his "course of actions". There's nothing wrong with cashing out, the question of validity applies to his explanation as to why he did so.
And who said anything about "accurate"?
I'm honest about the limitations of the information I have on hand, but this is forum for discussion, so discuss I will.
Yeah, we're all such polite people here, aren't we?
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
Thinly veiled condescension is condescension all the same.
Thinly veiled condescension is condescension all the same.
stringbender11
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
I never really liked Parkers much from a looks POV, but I have to admit they're growing on me. They're definitely a unique design, and that's a damn hard thing to accomplish in the world of guitars, imo.
I never really liked Parkers much from a looks POV, but I have to admit they're growing on me. They're definitely a unique design, and that's a damn hard thing to accomplish in the world of guitars, imo.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
The "sharp suited Satanists" from Akercocke played them as well:
The "sharp suited Satanists" from Akercocke played them as well:
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
Have you played one? They have incredibly fast necks and tons of sustain. The cool thing about Parkers is the versatility of tone. In mixing the piezo and the magnetic pickups the range of tones is mind blowing. The big plus is they are incredibly comfortable to play, very ergonomic.
Have you played one? They have incredibly fast necks and tons of sustain. The cool thing about Parkers is the versatility of tone. In mixing the piezo and the magnetic pickups the range of tones is mind blowing. The big plus is they are incredibly comfortable to play, very ergonomic.
jon the art guy
Nerdy Nerd
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
The whole ugliness of the guitar is all personal opinion too. I think it's far less ugly than Washburn Nunos, most of the LP knockoffs with added material and a vintage vibe like Fanos, and FFS that Bo Diddley Gretch everyone goes ape for. It looks very post-modern, kind of like Steinbergers or Teuffels...any of the same unguitar aesthetic.
it's a pretty nice looking Nagel painting or Calder hangy-thing.
The whole ugliness of the guitar is all personal opinion too. I think it's far less ugly than Washburn Nunos, most of the LP knockoffs with added material and a vintage vibe like Fanos, and FFS that Bo Diddley Gretch everyone goes ape for. It looks very post-modern, kind of like Steinbergers or Teuffels...any of the same unguitar aesthetic.
it's a pretty nice looking Nagel painting or Calder hangy-thing.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
Never even heard of these sharp-dressed-men before.
Thanks.
Never even heard of these sharp-dressed-men before.
Thanks.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
But I dig it! That shouldn't be terribly surprising. I'll be rocking a black Parker Fly at my gig this Friday.
Sadly, the red one in my avatar needs some electronics work before she can come out and play. Rather than monkey with the wacky electronics, I'm going to gut it and and get a 13 pin MIDI setup.
But I dig it! That shouldn't be terribly surprising. I'll be rocking a black Parker Fly at my gig this Friday.
Sadly, the red one in my avatar needs some electronics work before she can come out and play. Rather than monkey with the wacky electronics, I'm going to gut it and and get a 13 pin MIDI setup.
I understand . . . not everyone will like this kinds thing :
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Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
The midiaxe electronics were powered with a wall wart, and the software won't run on most modern computers- and was really primitive compared to converters at the time.The company (midiaxe) went out of business soon after their technology starting appearing on Parker's and Brian Moore's around the year 2000. There is also no way to implement things like midi hold or complex patch switching without a more complex midi merge system.i still think there is hope for a 5 pin midi system but either the technology wasn't there back in 2000, or they didn't have the vision to implement it correctly.
The midiaxe electronics were powered with a wall wart, and the software won't run on most modern computers- and was really primitive compared to converters at the time.The company (midiaxe) went out of business soon after their technology starting appearing on Parker's and Brian Moore's around the year 2000. There is also no way to implement things like midi hold or complex patch switching without a more complex midi merge system.i still think there is hope for a 5 pin midi system but either the technology wasn't there back in 2000, or they didn't have the vision to implement it correctly.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
The wall wart isn't a nuisance. It powers the guitar through the midi cable via phantom power so it is not like a power source has to be connected to the guitar. You simply place it next to whatever midi device you are using for a sound source and you are good to go. The great thing about the original MidiFly is it actually is midi. It can be plugged directly into any midi device. With the 13 oin you are tied to Roland hardware typically a bulky floor unit. I love the convenience of plugging directly into my Kurzweil synth module without the fuss of running the guitar through a 13 pin to midi device. The other downside is no one carries 13 pin cables if you need one in a pinch you are out of luck. You can find midi cables anywhere and they are cheap. Yet another downside of the new MidiFly is all of those knobs. Trying to navigate all of that on stage in a live situation is way too much.
I have both the original MidiFly and a 13 pin Roland system and find IMO the Midiaxe electronics blow the Roland system away.
The wall wart isn't a nuisance. It powers the guitar through the midi cable via phantom power so it is not like a power source has to be connected to the guitar. You simply place it next to whatever midi device you are using for a sound source and you are good to go. The great thing about the original MidiFly is it actually is midi. It can be plugged directly into any midi device. With the 13 oin you are tied to Roland hardware typically a bulky floor unit. I love the convenience of plugging directly into my Kurzweil synth module without the fuss of running the guitar through a 13 pin to midi device. The other downside is no one carries 13 pin cables if you need one in a pinch you are out of luck. You can find midi cables anywhere and they are cheap. Yet another downside of the new MidiFly is all of those knobs. Trying to navigate all of that on stage in a live situation is way too much.
I have both the original MidiFly and a 13 pin Roland system and find IMO the Midiaxe electronics blow the Roland system away.
Re: New Parker guitars - what do you think of 'em ?
I am not a Dan of the Roland stuff either- but what I didn't like about the midiaxe system was the lack of control. How do you do hold, or something like modulation or foot volume? You'd need a midi merge box with a foot controller connected to it, as well as the synth. The problem with both the 13 and 5 pin is that it is clumsy. You'd think that by this day and age we would have wireless transfer of midi, magnetic, and piezo signals with a hardware box or computer able to sort out these 3 distinct streams. It isn't even done with a single usb cable, or from a guitar that doesn't have 100 knobs on it. No wonder midi guitar isn't popular.
I am not a Dan of the Roland stuff either- but what I didn't like about the midiaxe system was the lack of control. How do you do hold, or something like modulation or foot volume? You'd need a midi merge box with a foot controller connected to it, as well as the synth. The problem with both the 13 and 5 pin is that it is clumsy. You'd think that by this day and age we would have wireless transfer of midi, magnetic, and piezo signals with a hardware box or computer able to sort out these 3 distinct streams. It isn't even done with a single usb cable, or from a guitar that doesn't have 100 knobs on it. No wonder midi guitar isn't popular.
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