Parker Fly Guitars - Good entry point

[jetattblue]

I typically play very traditionally styled guitars. My eyes, however, have wandered a little bit toward the Parker Fly guitars. I played one - I can't remember the model - several years ago, and I enjoyed it. I would like to try another one, but I wondered if anyone had any recommendations? I like the idea of the piezo equipped models or something that has a distinctly Parker Fly-esque function.

Could you provide me with a little guidance?

[jimmybcool]

There are several layers of Parkers.

The ones made in Korea are good value. Not my cup of tea but well made guitars for the price.

The NiteFly versions are made in the USA and are excellent guitars and very Parkeresque. They have a bold on neck and similar features to the higher end ones.

The "Flys" are the set neck USA made guitars and the highest priced. Excellent quality guitars.

IMO the best way to get a Parker is used. They seem to wear well (stainless frets and amazing neck) and don't command high prices.

And yeah I got one for sale. But it is in Thailand and I don't think we're gonna meet and do that deal

[Jaan]

Buy a used deluxe on ebay. Will cost you $800-1000 and is well worth it.

[musicman1]

As far as I know, and I could be wrong, the USA made Nitefly series have been discontinued as have the Korean made P series.

Currently, they are producing Fly gtrs in the USA and are importing a line called Dragonflies which have wooden necks. I have never been able to play one in a shop as there is almost no readily available store inventory for Parkers. I do own a P44 series which is really a very good gtr. Id also recommend a leap of faith and look for a clean, used USA made Fly or Nitefly.

[brianr0131]

Grab a used deluxe or classic for 800-1200 or so depending on condition. Then, the only decision is newer or "pre-refined" as they call it. I like the pre-refined better (because that's what I have lol) because the piezo is more tweakable and sounds a lot bigger in my opinion.

Although, I kind of like the newer pickups a little better. In general, the pickups are "just ok" if you ask me on the deluxe and classic models. The Mojo has duncans and those sound better to me. But Mojos, for the most part, command a much higher price even in the used market.

In my experience, the feel of the parker outweighs the very, very slight deficiency the pickups present. I have always had pretty hot amps and the pups were never much of an issue.

Set up correctly, a parker fly is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing instruments I have ever touched. Some guys don't like the thin wide neck though. I have found that I can't comfortably play "regular" guitars because I have become so accustomed to the neck profile on my Parker. But, that's been changing because I haven't been playing it as much lately.

Grab one. I don't think you'll regret it at all.

[jetattblue]

Thanks all for the advice. It sounds like a used deluxe or classic is the way to go. Are there any dealers that tend to have more used Parkers in stock? I don't recall ever seeing a used on near me.

[lutelover]

I have had a Parker NiteFly for a number of years now -- probably eight -- and find it an outstanding instrument. In fact, it plays so nice that I have not even been able to consider a Strat guitar since I began playing the Parker.

While I love the playability of the guitar, however, several times I have wished it would be easier to swap out the pickups to try others. Those in the NiteFly are fine, of course. I just wish I could more easily try different flavors. The pickups and electronics are, however, highly integrated into the guitar itself, making that -- at least from what I can see and know -- a challenge to do so.

Make no mistake: Parkers are fabulous guitars, well-crafted instruments.

Best.

[RossNRoll]

Originally Posted by Jaan

Buy a used deluxe on ebay. Will cost you $800-1000 and is well worth it.

+1 on that advice. used parkers are the way to go unless cost isn't an issue

[lamenlovinit]

Originally Posted by Jaan

Buy a used deluxe on ebay. Will cost you $800-1000 and is well worth it.

I'm afraid your figures are a little out of date. And it pisses me off no end as I am looking for a Fly Classic myself right now to keep my deluxe company

They have gone up in the last 4 or 5 months and I haven't seen much below $1000, and not one that seemed worth the gamble. But it is certainly worth it to save the pennies and get a full carbon fiber backed guitar like a Fly Deluxe or Fly Classic even if it will be $1100 to $1300. Mojos are more expensive.

Nothing wrong with a good USA built NiteFly, but the real deal is a unique and amazing guitar. I would pass on the imports.

[xjbebop]

Have a look at the new DF (Dragonfly) series before you choose.
These are the latest of the 'evolution', very comfortable and a bit more 'standard looking'...
If you prefer the original style, a used 'pre-refined' instrument would be a wise choice.

If you decide on a DF, the new imports would probably be a wise choice also, as the US models seem to still be having QC issues.

FunkyMunkey has excellent customer service, fwiw...

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

[lamenlovinit]

Originally Posted by xjbebop

Have a look at the new DF (Dragonfly) series before you choose.
These are the latest of the 'evolution', very comfortable and a bit more 'standard looking'...
If you prefer the original style, a used 'pre-refined' instrument would be a wise choice.

If you decide on a DF, the new imports would probably be a wise choice also, as the US models seem to still be having QC issues.

FunkyMunkey has excellent customer service, fwiw...

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

I think the new ones coming in at $995 are a very exciting development if you are looking for a superstrat. But they aren't a Fly. One of the things that make a Fly a Fly is the carbon fiber. Once you move below a USA built Nitefly, they may be a nice guitar, but it might as well have Washburn on the headstock, as the two things that made it stand out originally were the Carbon Fiber and Piezo. Yes the super slim body too, but the nitefly is still unique enough with the neck that it's something special even without the wafer thin body.

Losing the Piezo might not be the end of the world for a lot of players, but the Carbon fibre exoskeleton on at least the neck? I don't know man... It's a bigger deal than just being an "Import vs. USA" debate.

[p.j.]

Originally Posted by lutelover

I have had a Parker NiteFly for a number of years now -- probably eight -- and find it an outstanding instrument. In fact, it plays so nice that I have not even been able to consider a Strat guitar since I began playing the Parker.

While I love the playability of the guitar, however, several times I have wished it would be easier to swap out the pickups to try others. Those in the NiteFly are fine, of course. I just wish I could more easily try different flavors. The pickups and electronics are, however, highly integrated into the guitar itself, making that -- at least from what I can see and know -- a challenge to do so.

Make no mistake: Parkers are fabulous guitars, well-crafted instruments.

Best.

I have 2 Niteflys and I absolutely love them. I would definitely look for a used Nitefly if I were in the market for a Parker. I have a blue s/s/h swamp ash and a black mahogany h/h. I was saddened to see that Parker no longer makes them.

PJ

[lamenlovinit]

Originally Posted by p.j.

I have 2 Niteflys and I absolutely love them. I would definitely look for a used Nitefly if I were in the market for a Parker. I have a blue s/s/h swamp ash and a black mahogany h/h. I was saddened to see that Parker no longer makes them.

PJ

Oh I forgot. Search Amazon for Parker Guitar. Surprising deals on new ones now and again. Usually someone buys one and the price goes back up to normal. Lots of old stock niteflys and southern flys in less desirable colors at super deals.

[brain21]

Originally Posted by lamenlovinit

They have gone up in the last 4 or 5 months and I haven't seen much below $1000, and not one that seemed worth the gamble. But it is certainly worth it to save the pennies and get a full carbon fiber backed guitar like a Fly Deluxe or Fly Classic even if it will be $1100 to $1300. Mojos are more expensive.

Nothing wrong with a good USA built NiteFly, but the real deal is a unique and amazing guitar. I would pass on the imports.

I've been casually looking for a specific Parker Fly (Classic) for a few years now. I have searches saved on fleaBay, etc. Unless it was a beat up one, dinged-up, or just an exceptionally great deal, they have pretty much always been in the $1100 - $1300 range, give or take, and upwards of $1500 for a mint one.

Here are some tips, nothing new here. The best deal to be had is a real Fly used. When they were new the Flys cost about 3 times as much as the niteflys. Now a used Fly costs only about 50-75% more than a NiteFly. However, both are nice.

With the Flys, you can NOT swap out pickups UNLESS you swap them out for another pair made for Flys, because the pickups are basically half-height. With the NiteFlys you can swap out pickups as they use normal pickups. I will eventually replace the pickups in my USA NiteFly for some Suhrs.

The NiteFly-M is really nice. I think they were made in the USA too. Then they were replaced with the Mahogany P-44 or whatever it is. The M is a rear-routed Nitefly w/ 2 HBs.

The Mojo is an all mahogany Fly. The Classic, which is less than half (used) is mahogany body, and I think the neck is maple. Thats the big diff. The classic is a better deal - just throw some SDs in there and they are almost the same thing!

[rickboot]

I own a mojo, used to own another, and also owned an original '95 Fly Deluxe.

I agree that a used Deluxe or Classic is a good choice. However, I don't know where people have seen Deluxes and Classics for $800-1000. Prices on ebay and the local CL have always been more than 1000-1200 and more recently actually have risen a bit.

Note that the Nitefly's may be fine guitars but they are very different animals than the lighter, thinner carbon back Fly Deluxe/Classic/Mojo guitars.