Official Luthiers Forum!

RIP, Ken -

https://kenparkerarchtops.com/

Oh no that's terrible. He was an amazing luthier and guy.

The first time I ever spoke to him was in 2001 when I bought an Italian Plum Parker Fly Deluxe that was 3.6lbs. I wanted some touch-up paint just in case in the future. Great guy sent me some paint and then I would go see him at shows.

Loved the original Parker Fly guitar.

Ken was responsible for a lot of innovations such as his neck joint on his arch tops.

RIP Ken Parker.

Michael thanks for letting us know.

Most unfortunate. I sure thirsted for a Fly when I first saw one…

I don’t remember the actual model name, but one of the most interesting guitars I’ve ever played was a nylon string Parker Fly with a solid spruce body back in early 2000’s. It was back when the Gibson SST was popular, and I remember thinking, God, this is incredible.

And it pales in comparison to his work in archtops and the spirit with which he shared so freely.

This is an incredible loss.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's powerful. RIP.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

May his memory be eternal.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I didn't even know he was ill, had been from 2023.
R.I.P. Ken, a sad loss.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Just a couple days ago, I watched a video where Ken was introducing a man who has been working with him to take over Parker Guitar for the past year. Maybe I can find it:

https://youtu.be/MSk74rse444?si=p0QqkdMTGMOzoQpo

I loved his archtop videos. I'm far more into carving than I thought.
The neck joint is quite the thing. Even a violin maker in Ann Arbor knew about it when I talked with him about it.

_________________
Why be normal?

I have been watching his "Archtoppery" series. What an amazing guy.

A very sad loss. I am very thankful for his many contributions to lutherie. Rest in peace, Ken.

_________________
Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

Sorry to hear of his passing. I had one of his Parker Fly’s early on, it was a great guitar.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Adrian Belew's favorite guitar, the Parker Fly. Innovative guitar for innovative people. Glad I got to see Belew play his last year with BEAT. Condolences to family.

I only knew him from his video series on youtube. Just watching those I could tell he was incredibly kind, knowledgeable and generous. I will continue to learn from him and appreciate his work.

A huge inspiration.
A huge loss.
His Archtoppery series is an immense and precious thing.
I’ve listened to his episode of Luthier On Luthier multiple times.
Thank you Mr. Parker.