Members Notes_Norton Posted December 7, 2010 Members Share Posted December 7, 2010 After the fiasco in this thread from the dealer who shipped the wrong guitar (in another thread on this forum http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2708871-I-ordered-a-1400-guitar-got-a-5600-gutar-instead-and-I-m-bummed-%28) and then didn't have the right one --- I went to Funky Munky Music. Larry was very helpful and had Parker ship one directly to me (thanks Larry). It's beautiful, and the pictures don't do it justice. First of all it came in a serviceable case (definitely NOT a flight case) --------- Here is a picture of my first impression. Notes: 1) This is the only picture that shows the color the way it really looks - I took it on a different day from the rest of the pictures, and not being a photographer, I don't know what I did differently 2) I put the little white markers on the knobs myself (automobile reflector tape) --------- A closeup of the body (see how faded the color looks? Again, I don't know what I did wrong - I'm a musician, not a photographer) --------- The bridge (I can hear James Brown yelling "To the bridge -- to the bridge!" and the rhythm section accenting the climb) --------- What good is guitar porn without a closeup of the knobs? (again, the tape markers are my own "improvement") --------- Headstock --------- This thing is both light and skinny!!! Note: I "enlarged" the fret marker dots myself with some of the same tape that I put on the knobs. When the stage is either dark or brightly lit from the front, and I have my mouth on the microphone, I need to see the dots out of the corner of my eyes. --------- The backside --------- Last one Ain't she a beaut? --------- It's a dream to play. It's comfortable, well balanced, light weight, and I lowered the action so all it takes is a light touch. So how does it sound? Take all this into consideration ... I'm a pro musician, but since the 60s it's been predominantly sax. I've doubled on rhythm (barre chords) and bass using the instruments from my band-mates when there was no room for a sax. I also play with a Digitech RP355 direct into the PA set (I schlepp a sax, flute, guitar, 2 wind synths, PA set, speakers, another guitar for my partner, a tactile MIDI controller, and a rack full of synth modules. I'm not about to add a guitar amp). Also, I have only played a real Fly for about 15 minutes, so there is no way this is a comparison to that. My other guitars are a 1970 Gibson ES-330, a Epi Casino and an LTD-EC50 that I put GFS Mean 90 pickups and a Varitone in. Positions 1 and 3 (neck and middle) sound Strat-like. Position 2 and 4 sound a little fatter. Position 5 in the humbucker mode sounds Gibson-ish. Position 4 with the humbucker in the SC tap sounds a little like a tele. And the Fishman sounds close enough to a real Flat-Top guitar to tickle my ears - it has the acoustic jangle that most pedal simulations miss. Mix the Piezo with the mag pups and it sounds like a flat top that has a magnetic pickup in the hole. It's still new, I'm gigging with it, and still exploring the sounds I can get from it so the above isn't final. The whammy bar does not put the guitar out of tune if you tune the guitar up, wiggle the bar, and then re-tune. To summarize the review in two words, "I'm Delighted". Insights and incites by Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretmonster Posted December 7, 2010 Members Share Posted December 7, 2010 Stunning Parker Notes. Your improvements are probably things that I would do as well. Someday I'd like to strap one of those babies on for a test drive. Love the ergonomics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kit_strong Posted December 7, 2010 Members Share Posted December 7, 2010 Nice! I've always liked the Fly on paper but would never own one because I can't get along with the design. The DragonFly takes those great specs and wraps them in a much more aesthetically pleasing, to me, package. If I ever find myself in the market for another high end guitar it would definitely be high on my list. Glad you found what you were looking for. -Kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 7, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 7, 2010 I never liked the "arthritic thumb" upper horn of the original Fly either. It just looks "fugly" to me. The DragonFly is a variation on the Strat shape, which is definitely a classic design (Leo did good on that one). I've always wanted a Strat-like guitar, but I hate the short radius neck that Fender seems to prefer. I know they make a 12" radius model, but it has that "guaranteed to look ratty in a month" gold hardware. Gold hardware just doesn't make it here in Florida near the ocean. The DragonFly gives me everything a Strat does and more, light weight, 14" radius, Fishman pizeo pickup, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, Duncan magnetic pickups, Graph-Tech nut, Sperzel locking tuners, and a great whammy system that actually stays in tune. It will be my gigging guitar for a long time to come. Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wok Posted December 8, 2010 Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 congrats! pretty nice guitar you got thar! however, i would have kept the other guitar that was shipped to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members panther_king Posted December 8, 2010 Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 I love it. An original Fly or a Fly custom is a dream guitar. I like the jacked up hockey-stick upper bout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 8, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 I liked the "wrong guitar" that they sent me, but I really wanted the strat-ish pickup configuration. If I don't get a response and a pre-paid shipping label for the first guitar by January, I'll put it up for sale. Someone will get a great deal on a Parker Mojo MIDI fly. Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tidal Rhythm Posted December 8, 2010 Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 That is one fantastic guitar. Congrats and HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mister natural Posted December 8, 2010 Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 oh . . . hubba hubba that is a beautiful Parker - congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mustaine-who? Posted December 8, 2010 Members Share Posted December 8, 2010 Sekkkkksssssaaayyy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 9, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 9, 2010 Thanx! I gigged again with it last night, and it is a dream to play. Unfortunately our outdoor gig today will be washed out, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all indoors. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted December 9, 2010 Members Share Posted December 9, 2010 Hope you get enough to cover the difference, cuz that hammer WILL drop when someone in power realizes the mistake that was made. Don't take the word of a "sales engineer" that it's all good. I look forward to the thread =) I liked the "wrong guitar" that they sent me, but I really wanted the strat-ish pickup configuration. If I don't get a response and a pre-paid shipping label for the first guitar by January, I'll put it up for sale. Someone will get a great deal on a Parker Mojo MIDI fly.Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members humbuckerstrat Posted December 9, 2010 Members Share Posted December 9, 2010 That's a sweet looking Parker, HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fireproof777 Posted December 9, 2010 Members Share Posted December 9, 2010 Very nice; I never cared for Parkers, but they're starting to grow on me. I like the natural look on that one. HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members craigny Posted December 9, 2010 Members Share Posted December 9, 2010 Nice Parker...HNGD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 10, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 10, 2010 I was never interested in Parkers until I heard Joni Mitchell play one. The acoustic sound was outstanding - like a Flat Top guitar. Then my band mate got a PM10 and it is a fine guitar. The neck joint is so perfect that you have to bring it out in the sunlight to see the seam where it's glued to the body. The wood grain almost matches and the seam line is thinner than a human hair. Her guitar is light, the neck is fast, and it sounds good. I play sax, flute, wind synth, guitar and sometimes keys on the job, so I end up switching instruments almost every song. The almost 8 pound Faux-LP guitar was getting tiring - it was like weight training ;-) and as I posted earlier, I also wanted a strat-ish guitar. But I hate the short radius Fender neck. I know they make one with a 12" radius, but it has gold hardware which will look ratty in about one month in Florida and it's pretty heavy. So after about 6 months of seeing the DragonFly ads, I decided to get one. It's better than I anticipated. I can't wait to go to work tonight (they don't call it playing music for nothing. Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kit_strong Posted December 10, 2010 Members Share Posted December 10, 2010 The almost 8 pound Faux-LP guitar was getting tiring - it was like weight training ;-) and as I posted earlier, I also wanted a strat-ish guitar. But I hate the short radius Fender neck. I know they make one with a 12" radius, but it has gold hardware which will look ratty in about one month in Florida and it's pretty heavy. There are plenty of Fender Strats with a 12" radius neck and chrome hardware such as the 60s classic player Strat. The American Standards now come with a compound radius fretboard. Although you don't get all the other great features of the Parker but just wanted to point out that there are definitely strats with a modern neck that don't have gold hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 11, 2010 There are plenty of Fender Strats with a 12" radius neck and chrome hardware such as the 60s classic player Strat. The American Standards now come with a compound radius fretboard. Although you don't get all the other great features of the Parker but just wanted to point out that there are definitely strats with a modern neck that don't have gold hardware. I haven't seen them in local music shops, and I haven't found them in the catalogs by Sweetwater, MF, GC, or 123 either. Glad to know they are out there. The only one I've seen is the "Deluxe Player Strat" and it has the dreaded gold hardware. I've seen a lot of ratty gold hardware around here. I played in a band where the guitarist got an Epiphone Sheraton with gold hardware. We played a couple of outdoor gigs. It took about 2 months before the gold started flaking off. For those reasons, I won't go for the gold, it's just not right for the South Florida climate. Back to the Parker DragonFly. The more I play it, the more I get to know it, the more I like it. By twiddling the knobs and switches I can get tones that range from Jazz to Blues to Rock to Country to Acoustic. And I'm not done exploring the sonic possibilities yet. It gives me the classic strat sound and much more (acoustic flat top with or without mag pickup, Gibson-bucker and almost Tele - a little thinner but with that twang). The balance is great, I can take both hands off the guitar and it stays put. This is the first guitar I've had with an ebony fingerboard and stainless steel frets -- it really makes bending smooth and easy. We played 4 hours without a break last night, and my left shoulder thanked me for it. The honeymoon isn't over yet!!! Insights and incites by Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cratz2 Posted December 11, 2010 Members Share Posted December 11, 2010 Glad to hear you're happy! I had a Parker for about a year, but... not to be shallow... but I just couldn't look at the headstock anymore though it was without a doubt, the best playing guitar I've ever owned. HNGD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kit_strong Posted December 11, 2010 Members Share Posted December 11, 2010 The honeymoon isn't over yet!!! Hopefully it's a never-ending honeymoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members warriorpoet Posted December 11, 2010 Members Share Posted December 11, 2010 Gorgeous So you got rid of the other one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 12, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 12, 2010 Gorgeous So you got rid of the other one? Nope. I followed the advice of the FTC and sent them a written letter through the US Mail re-informing them of their error and their verbal reply telling me I can keep the more expensive one. If I do not hear from them by January, I'll put it up for sale at a good price. I only played it for a few minutes with a sweatshirt on (not to mar the finish) so it's more brand-new than anything you would get at a music store. The "wrong" guitar is beautiful, sounds great, but is just not what I was looking for. Last night playing the DF (the right guitar) I found the the perfect sound for a surf music song we play (middle pickup full treble) and I also found a really great jazz sound (neck pickup tone control all the way down). I'm still experimenting with mixing the Fishman pickup with the Magnetic pickups. I'm hearing lots of great acoustic-electric mixes but they are all new to my ears so I haven't settled on anything for any particular song that we do. If the guitar has one flaw, it's that the toggle switch for the mag/fishman/combo pickups is a little difficult for me to get to while playing. But it's minor since I haven't had a need to switch it during a song, and my hand will probably learn where it is sooner or later. We play a big variety of music from rock to light jazz to country to Caribbean to pop and so on. The versatility of the DF is exactly what I needed. Plus we played 4 hours without a break, and my shoulder didn't hurt. I've had bursitis in that shoulder since I was a kid and the almost 8 pound Faux-LP guitar bothered it. I'm still in the discovery mode on the DragonFly, and the more I play it, the more I'm enjoying it. Also, it's the first guitar I've ever had with an ebony fretboard and stainless steel frets, bending strings is so much smoother, more of a difference than I imagined. Still a happy camper!!! Insights and incites by Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emory Posted December 13, 2010 Members Share Posted December 13, 2010 lovely x3. All around great gits. I think I am one of the three people who actually like that upper horn. Doubles as a carrying handle too. Form follows function, and those things function very nice...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mockchoi Posted December 13, 2010 Members Share Posted December 13, 2010 I think I just found my next guitar... To the OP...I can't find anything about the ouput. Does it have the split stereo or summed mono; "Smart Switching" jack? Not having it would be a dealbreaker for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 14, 2010 Author Members Share Posted December 14, 2010 Not sure about this one. I play mono only using a amp-sim/direct-box straight into the PA (we schlep a sax, wind synth, sound modules, pa, speakers, stands, guitars (one for me one for my duo partner), tactile MIDI controller, monitors and a lot of other stuff - I'm not about to add an amp. It does have a stereo output Y cable, that allows a split between the mag and piezo pups, but I don't know if the mag pups can be routed in stereo. Parker customer support has been very quick to respond to both my pre-sale and post-sale questions http://www.parkerguitars.com/Contact/contact-us.html I'm having a great time with it, discovering new sounds and I am very happy with the ergonomics. The only control that is a bit awkward is the toggle switch for the Fishman. With the vibrato handle on, it can be a little difficult to get to without looking. Fortunately the 5 way switch is where it should be and I have no need to get to the Fishman toggle in the middle of a song (if I did, my hands would probably learn how to get to it). I'm finding that if I follow the directions, tune the guitar, wiggle the vibrato handle, and re-tune, the guitar stays in tune very well, even after some whammy abuse. The honeymoon isn't over yet. Insights and incites by Notes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.