"Parker Fly" electric guitar
This is a prototype for the "Parker Fly" model guitars developed by Ken Parker (1952-2025) and made famous by its unusual double-cutaway design and its lightweight body. The instrument has a carbon-glass-epoxy composite exoskeleton and a rosewood neck. The pre-bent epoxy fingerboard is glued to the neck. This instrument is the first iteration of Parker's patented tangless, stainless steel frets. The body design is the same as appeared on production models of the instrument and is painted with "Rattlecan" metallic silver finish. The electromagnetic pickups and electronics were designed as a "one off" for this prototype by Larry Fishman and the thermoformed plastic covers were made by Parker. The instrument uses Sperzel machine tuners in a line on the fingerboard. Parker / GUITARS is stamped in white on the headstock.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Parker Fly" electric guitar
- Maker: Parker Guitars (American)
- Maker: Ken Parker (American, 1952-2025)
- Date: 1987
- Geography: United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Carbon-glass-epoxy composite, redwood, steel, plastic
- Dimensions: 38 × 13 1/4 × 4 in. (96.5 × 33.7 × 10.2 cm)
Sounding Length: 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm) - Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
- Credit Line: Gift of Ken Parker, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.769a, b
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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