United States · Est. 1992
Parker Guitars
Ken Parker's radical Fly guitar challenged every assumption about electric guitar construction, using composite materials and piezo pickups for unprecedented versatility.
About the brand
Parker Guitars was founded in 1992 by Ken Parker and Larry Fishman in Wilmington, Massachusetts. The Fly — Parker's breakthrough instrument — featured a lightweight basswood or mahogany body reinforced with a carbon fibre and glass composite exoskeleton, a thin carbon-fibre neck, and a combination of magnetic and piezo pickups that allowed the same instrument to produce both electric and acoustic-style tones.
The Fly's construction philosophy was radical: by making the neck extremely thin and stiff with composite reinforcement, Parker achieved playability that was impossible with conventional wood construction. The instrument weighed under five pounds — remarkable for a full-size electric guitar — and its versatility attracted players from diverse genres.
Parker was acquired by U.S. Music Corporation in 2004 and went through various ownership changes. Ken Parker himself left to pursue artisan luthiery. The brand produced guitars under several ownership iterations before ceasing production, leaving the Fly as a fascinating and technically significant artefact of alternative guitar design.
Key facts
- Founded in 1992 by Ken Parker and Larry Fishman in Massachusetts
- Fly guitar weighs under five pounds through composite reinforcement technology
- Dual magnetic and piezo pickup system for unmatched sonic versatility in one instrument
- Carbon fibre exoskeleton on body and neck — a construction approach unlike any other brand
Iconic models
Parker Fly
One of the most revolutionary guitars of the 20th century, with its ultra-thin wood-and-carbon-fiber body, carbon fretboard, and combined magnetic and piezo pickups.
Parker Fly Mojo
A version of the Fly with P-90 pickups and a more conventional wood body, seeking to blend Parker's innovation with vintage tones.
Parker PDF85
Parker's entry-level model, bringing some of the Fly's structural innovations to a more accessible price for the mid-range market.
Parker MaxFly
A more robust Fly variant designed for musicians needing Parker's performance with greater sonic presence and sustain.