Parker Guitars at Total Guitar Buyer

Parker guitars have sought innovation probably more than any other guitar manufacturer. Founded by Ken Parker and Larry Fishman, Parker guitars are a reflection of their respective guitar-making and electronics skills.

Their first guitar, the Fly, may have been an unusual shape but virtually every component of the instrument could also be described as equally original. The basic principle underlying its design was that the wood used in constructing the guitar strongly influenced the eventual sound produced by that guitar, as is the case with acoustic guitars. The result was an electric guitar built with a thin lightweight body that shared many characteristics with an acoustic guitar body. On the electronics side of things the Parker Fly was the first guitar to offer both a traditional magnetic pickup and a piezo bridge. This effectively created a hybrid "two guitars in one" instrument.

Over the years Parker has utilized a variety of woods in the Fly Vibrato Deluxe (poplar), Fly Classic (mahogany), Fly Artist (spruce) and Fly Supreme (maple). Parker continues to innovate on the electronic side of things and it is this willingness to provide something different yet emminently useable that attracts a loyal following to Parker guitars.