V
Valtyr
Member
I have owned a Parker Nitefly and currently play a Parker Fly Classic. A Nitefly is a USA Parker of normal weight with a bolt on neck. The composite exoskeleton only covers the neck instead of the neck and back of the guitar, and it lacks the contouring of the body which cuts down the weight.
I'd avoid the ones made overseas since they lack many of the normal Parker features. This would include the carbon/composite exoskeleton on the neck (including over the fretboard), Parker designed bridge, stainless steel frets.
The LPC equivalent would be either a Parker Fly Classic or a Parker Fly Deluxe. The main difference between the two is that the Classic has a mahogany body whereas the Deluxe is Poplar. These models tend to weigh about 4.5 to 5 lbs.
They do not sound like Fenders or Gibsons. They have their own sound and do not emulate other guitars well. Not sure if you would consider that a pro or con, it's a pro for me. If I want Gibson tone I'll play my Gibson instead.
Pro - light weight, 4.5 lbs for a Fly, Stable tuning and trem thanks to the Parker designed bridge. Low maintenance ( I never have to touch the truss rod ).
Con - upper horn will poke you if you slouch forward. A Fly sounds different than other guitars, you probably need to change your amp settings. My Nitefly sounded similar to a strat, but less icepick and more bass/mids. Hanging stands won't work on older Parkers since the headstock isn't wider than the neck. If you don't want a thin neck you are SOL with a Fly, but a Nitefly has a thicker neck.
You can find a Classic around $1300 used, Niteflys around $500-600. The USA Parker Factory closed last year so you won't fine the USA Parkers new.
I'd avoid the ones made overseas since they lack many of the normal Parker features. This would include the carbon/composite exoskeleton on the neck (including over the fretboard), Parker designed bridge, stainless steel frets.
The LPC equivalent would be either a Parker Fly Classic or a Parker Fly Deluxe. The main difference between the two is that the Classic has a mahogany body whereas the Deluxe is Poplar. These models tend to weigh about 4.5 to 5 lbs.
They do not sound like Fenders or Gibsons. They have their own sound and do not emulate other guitars well. Not sure if you would consider that a pro or con, it's a pro for me. If I want Gibson tone I'll play my Gibson instead.
Pro - light weight, 4.5 lbs for a Fly, Stable tuning and trem thanks to the Parker designed bridge. Low maintenance ( I never have to touch the truss rod ).
Con - upper horn will poke you if you slouch forward. A Fly sounds different than other guitars, you probably need to change your amp settings. My Nitefly sounded similar to a strat, but less icepick and more bass/mids. Hanging stands won't work on older Parkers since the headstock isn't wider than the neck. If you don't want a thin neck you are SOL with a Fly, but a Nitefly has a thicker neck.
You can find a Classic around $1300 used, Niteflys around $500-600. The USA Parker Factory closed last year so you won't fine the USA Parkers new.
