I have owned Fly Classic since I got mine new in 1996 and I love it. My daughter has been playing guitar for a while and is wanting a Parker Fly but my budget for this limits me to either a P42/P44 or one of the later PDF models. I believe the P42/P44 models are made in Korea and may be better quality than the PDF models but frankly I know little about either of them besides what I have learned by digging through the old Parker catalogs. I was wondering if the PDF100 or PDF80 is a pretty good guitar and if it had any major shortcomings?
I found a fairly nice 2015/16 PDF80 used and I wanted to check the serial number, but I can't find any information on the PDF guitar serial numbers. This one has a 9 digit serial number starting with 3116. I assumed that the number would start with the year. I have seen one from 2011 and another from 2014 and they both started with the year (11 and 14). It makes me think that something is fishy with the PDF80. Thanks.
Import Parker for my daughter
Re: Import Parker for my daughter
What's your budget? I might be able to help ...lemmy999 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 10:14 pm I have owned Fly Classic since I got mine new in 1996 and I love it. My daughter has been playing guitar for a while and is wanting a Parker Fly but my budget for this limits me to either a P42/P44 or one of the later PDF models. I believe the P42/P44 models are made in Korea and may be better quality than the PDF models but frankly I know little about either of them besides what I have learned by digging through the old Parker catalogs. I was wondering if the PDF100 or PDF80 is a pretty good guitar and if it had any major shortcomings?
I found a fairly nice 2015/16 PDF80 used and I wanted to check the serial number, but I can't find any information on the PDF guitar serial numbers. This one has a 9 digit serial number starting with 3116. I assumed that the number would start with the year. I have seen one from 2011 and another from 2014 and they both started with the year (11 and 14). It makes me think that something is fishy with the PDF80. Thanks.
Re: Import Parker for my daughter
I'd like to keep it below 800 if possible. I have found a 2014 PDF70 and a 2015/16 PDF80 that are perfect, but I'm just a bit leary of the serial number on the PDF80.
Re: Import Parker for my daughter
I found that the PDF80 is a factory refurb. I was not aware of such a thing but I found a couple of old listings from ~9 years ago of guitar shops selling some refurb PDF70 guitars and they had the decal serial number starting with a 3 that was placed over the original stamped serial number, and the word "USED" is lightly stamped into the back of the headstock. I'm not sure how much this affects the value of a guitar, but I would think it would reduce it quite a bit since I'm sure it makes it more difficult to sell.
One of the guitar shops had this description of a refurb PDF70 they were selling:
One of the guitar shops had this description of a refurb PDF70 they were selling:
This is a refurbished instrument. These guitars are sent directly from the manufacturer to the authorized refurbishing center where they are fully inspected and cleared by a certified technician. The guitars are sent there for many reasons, including: Cosmetic flaws, Minor repairs & Discontinued models. Most of the guitars that we sell are 100% flaw free. Any visible or known flaws are outlined in the description and include pictures of the specific flaw. The actual guitar for sale is shown in the photographs. All of our guitars come with a standard factory setup, but may require a small amount of fine tuning to fit the players personal taste. In order to prevent false warranty claims, the guitar is given a brand new serial number and the back of the headstock is lightly stamped "used" or "2nd" by the authorized refurbishing center. These guitars are the next best thing to buying new!
Re: Import Parker for my daughter
All Parkers are 'used' at this point. Those just made a documented extra round between owners. 
Back when you could go and get a brand new one, that could have made a difference, but nowadays the same buying tips apply to all of them.
Back when you could go and get a brand new one, that could have made a difference, but nowadays the same buying tips apply to all of them.
Re: Import Parker for my daughter
viewtopic.php?p=9399#p9399
I have a much cheaper PDF60 available that I can tell you plays like a dream for what it is.
I have a much cheaper PDF60 available that I can tell you plays like a dream for what it is.
just plain lost