the Fly Clone Project

Hi all. I'm new to the forum. I have wanted a Parker Fly ever since I first saw one in the old Musician's Friend catalog back in high school. There was one available locally earlier this year but I missed out on it. Hopefully I can get one soon; I am currently selling off a few other guitars I don't play to fund this. I will stop in and showcase what I got when I get it, or maybe even ask if anyone has one they'd part with! Sacrilege I'm sure!

I'm in southern Arizona and looking forward to talking about Parkers!

-Marc

Hi! Welcome! And good luck on your quest!

Welcome @Marcthemusician! Great to meet you! Looking forward to seeing this come together for you!

Did you have a particular Fly model/color in mind?

Well, I'd like to get a hard tail model, any color really. But I really like the pre refined green models. They're gorgeous! I have no preference between deluxe, mojo, etc.

Marcthemusician wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:34 am Well, I'd like to get a hard tail model, any color really. But I really like the pre refined green models.

Though you specified "hard tail", here's a pre refined green Deluxe which was recently listed in FB Marketplace; in case you're tempted: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 978058862/

Hard tails pop up now and then (the plum one on Reverb and eBay has been sitting for a while). I'll keep an eye out.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:23 pm

Though you specified "hard tail", here's a pre refined green Deluxe which was recently listed in FB Marketplace; in case you're tempted: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 978058862/

Hard tails pop up now and then (the plum one on Reverb and eBay has been sitting for a while). I'll keep an eye out.

Thanks! That one is in really good condition. There's actually a guy near me who is selling one; I don't quite have the funds so I won't post a link until I do. (Not that someone would snatch it out from under me, but I'm the jealous type! ) But I have some questions I'm gonna ask once I go to physically inspect it; my main concern is the truss rod: how to inspect if it's broken or in fine working order.

Maybe I'll post a photo later tonight!

So here's one I've seen that's nearby. I understand it's a more rare model. What would be good pricing for this? I think it's fantastic looking.

Marcthemusician wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:27 pm So here's one I've seen that's nearby. I understand it's a more rare model. What would be good pricing for this? I think it's fantastic looking.

The Ken-era "Jazz" model is a hardtail Classic (mahogany body, basswood neck) with gold saddles, tuners, and pickup pole pieces. There's a myth about the model having unicorn Dimarzio pickups, which is still propagated to this day - But they're the Gen 1 Dimarzios (based on the Air Norton and Tone Zone) which were common to all Flys at that time.

Because it's a rarer variation of the Classic, it's common to see them sell for anywhere between $3,000 to $5,000, purely for collectibility reasons.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:49 pm

Marcthemusician wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:27 pm So here's one I've seen that's nearby. I understand it's a more rare model. What would be good pricing for this? I think it's fantastic looking.

The Ken-era "Jazz" model is a hardtail Classic (mahogany body, basswood neck) with gold saddles, tuners, and pickup pole pieces. There's a myth about the model having unicorn Dimarzio pickups which is still propagated to this day - But they're the Gen 1 Dimarzios (based on the Air Norton and Tone Zone) which were stock on all Flys at the time.

Because it's a rarer variation of the Classic, it's common to see them sell for anywhere between $3,000 to $5,000, purely for collectibility reasons.

I thought that might be what it was. Is it true that only 50 were produced yearly? I am going to go take a look this Saturday, and everything checking out, I'll be purchasing it. I will obviously post my findings and NGD if it happens!

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:49 pm

Marcthemusician wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:27 pm So here's one I've seen that's nearby. I understand it's a more rare model. What would be good pricing for this? I think it's fantastic looking.

There's a myth about the model having unicorn Dimarzio pickups, which is still propagated to this day - But they're the Gen 1 Dimarzios (based on the Air Norton and Tone Zone) which were common to all Flys at that time.

I was wondering about this part too, actually. Reading the Parker 2001 Price List, it does specify that the Jazz model has a "Specially Voiced Neck Pickup." This wasn't the case, I take it?

Marcthemusician wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:54 pm I was wondering about this part too, actually. Reading the Parker 2001 Price List, it does specify that the Jazz model has a "Specially Voiced Neck Pickup." This wasn't the case, I take it?

DiMarzio confirmed for me via email years ago that it was no different than the regular Gen 1 pickups. They did have cool gold pole pieces that Ken and the crew made themselves, so maybe that was what prompted the marketing folks to write “Specially Voiced Neck Pickup”.

Come to think of it, I have a set of those Fly Jazz pickups with the gold pole pieces—if anyone feels like doing a comparison between those and a set of standard Gen 1s, please DM me. Maybe we can get some data on this once and for all!

vjmanzo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:59 pm Come to think of it, I have a set of those Fly Jazz pickups with the gold pole pieces—if anyone feels like doing a comparison between those and a set of standard Gen 1s, please DM me. Maybe we can get some data on this once and for all!

If only my Flys weren't routed for Sustainiacs! All things being equal, posting the Ω measurements of each of the "Jazz" neck pickup coils and those of a Gen 1 neck pickup should put this myth to bed (if they're within half a kΩ of one another, that's pretty typical for pickup DCR fluctuating in reaction to ambient temperature - I've disassembled enough Fly pickups to know that there's nothing revolutionary going on under the hood).

I think I've found the guitar. It's not the hardtail I was going to look at; instead, it's a 1997 Fly Deluxe in Majik Blue. It's missing the arm, the extra spring (the 9 spring is currently installed) the wrenches, and the manual. It does include the original gig bag. Also, the piezo doesn't work and the board appears to be the issue.

However, the guitar is in immaculate condition. Visually, there's no wear on it at all. It's remarkable to find it in such great condition. I will need to get the piezo back working, but the mag pickups and switches all appear to be fully functional. I'll post a photo tomorrow after I get it; I don't want to spoil it, but this might be an excellent deal.

Here she is. I was mistaken yesterday. Its a 1997 Parker Fly Classic, Teal. I'd not seen Majik blue in person, so forgive my ignorance! It needs some work, but for the condition, and the price, I can't complain.




$1800

(EDIT: The value of the guitar purchase was $1800, made effectively $1500 via discount for the electronic issues. As for what I actually paid in addition to trade of some gear, I'll gladly tell you in a private message.)

Congrats!!

vjmanzo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2024 3:15 pm



Congrats!!

Thanks! It's great. It needed a setup which my tech expertly did, and it plays and sounds great. He checked the piezo circuit board and thinks the ic chip may be the problem, since all the switches and pots are working and the flex boards are untouched. I'll order the chip and try having it replaced and hopefully that will solve the piezo issue! Otherwise, I'll have it rewired with a power chip I think.

I am searching now for a trem arm; I ordered a wrench compliment to keep with the guitar, and then I'll be set! Maybe a hardshell case and extra spring, too

Now that I have the guitar set up and at home, and more importantly while I am still in the return window, I must engage in what Hercule Poirot would call "the picking of the nits."

Upon closer inspection, there are some marks of wear on the edge of the headstock, very faint and small, and these I'm not going to worry about. However, it does mean it's not 100% pristine as I had previously thought. Oh well, it might get damaged worse if I start gigging it, so c'est la vie.

Speaking of the headstock, I'll include the serial number here for posterity sake (and in case the guitar leaves my hands someday and the next owner Googles the serial).

309017BMH - I believe this indicates that the guitar was built on November 5, 1997 and was guitar number 01 built that day. Looks like her birthday is coming up soon.

Reading about the Fly posted for sale in Seattle and the comments about the worn spring have me concerned since I have no experience with them. Here's mine:

Is it looking okay? I was considering getting a 10 spring just to have, but maybe a 9 is also in the cards?
EDIT: I ask also because the wheel was cranked tight when I found her. Even with my limited experience I could tell this wasn't ideal and immediately loosened the wheel.

More concerning long-term, while there is currently no issue of fretboard lift / delamination, I want to post these photos of two spots that appear to currently be "finish aberrations" on the neck, one on the bass side and one on the treble side. For our more experienced users, what's your opinion of these? I'll note it took some doing to get a photo where they appeared at all; in person, there's no cracks in the finish and these are very difficult to see unless you shine the light on the area just so. There is no playability issue or string buzzing, and it has no "feel" to it. Is it the early stages of dreaded fingerboard lift, or is it a minor finish flaw that didn't get caught?


Thanks all!

Wow a stellar find! Thanks for sharing this beauty and congratulations on the acquisition.

@Marcthemusician, everything looks great. I wouldn't be concerned with the thin spots of paint along the edge of the fingerboard unless you can feel that they're the results of flaking - If it's under clearcoat (can't be felt), then I'm going to assume it was a factory blemish. Those paint edges riding up to the frets are difficult to achieve, and even more difficult to retain during the final wetsanding and buffing.

Look at it this way: If everything structural on the guitar has held up from November 1997 through to the present, it's likely to stay that way. Any other subsequent wear and tear just means that you're getting your money's worth out of it.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:03 pm
Look at it this way: If everything structural on the guitar has held up from November 1997 through to the present, it's likely to stay that way. Any other subsequent wear and tear just means that you're getting your money's worth out of it.

This is how I'm looking at it. Considering I was able to get a significant discount on an already low priced example, and then paid virtually nothing since I traded in some gear I had sitting around gathering dust, I figure if I get a year out of it I'd be happy. But considering my luck with the condition and price, maybe it'll extend to a long remaining life for the guitar.

I am actually stunned I was able to find this. There was an Italian Plum Pre-Refined for sale at a local shop earlier this year. It was the first time I'd been able to actually sit and play one for a long time; it was selling for $2500 and had chips on the side thru to the paint. I can't believe my good luck, and I appreciate your input and reassurance.

Incidentally, I have ordered the LTC1044 chip since the original one was giving strange readings when the board was examined by my tech. I'll have that replaced as soon as it comes in. I'm crossing my fingers in the hope that the chip is the issue and the piezo springs back to life!