[HN Gopher] Ken Parker, famed luthier, has died
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       Ken Parker, famed luthier, has died
        
       Author : dagmx
       Score  : 11 points
       Date   : 2025-10-05 22:10 UTC (49 minutes ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (kenparkerarchtops.com)
 (TXT) w3m dump (kenparkerarchtops.com)
        
       | toomuchtodo wrote:
       | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Parker_(guitar_maker)
        
       | TrackerFF wrote:
       | Shame, I just saw his gofundme a couple of days ago. I've owned
       | and played thousands of guitars, that's pretty much how I earned
       | money through college (I'd flip guitars basically). Parker
       | guitars were really something, but definitely not for everyone -
       | a Parker Fly Deluxe was by far the lightest guitar I ever owned
       | and tried. Should've kept it, as they go for 3-4 grand these days
       | on the used market.
        
       | alexjplant wrote:
       | A true shame. Until recently guitarists were notoriously
       | conservative regarding instrument design and I have an immense
       | amount of respect for people like Ken that chose to push those
       | boundaries. Challenging guitarists to play something more
       | progressive than the usual 75-year-old designs was a big deal in
       | the heyday of the grunge movement and emergence of the vintage
       | gear market. Hats off to a true American original.
        
       | whstl wrote:
       | Shame, I'm a huge fan of the Parker Fly.
       | 
       | They're arguably the biggest step forward in electric guitar
       | since the 50s. Lots of new stuff there for the time, some of
       | which became standard years after: stainless steel frets,
       | piezo+magnetic pickups, carbon fiber reinforcement, adjustable
       | vibrato, possibly the most seamless/flattest neck joint ever...
       | not to mention the whole design is amazing.
       | 
       | This video from this guy dropped just two days ago, and explains
       | a lot about the features and constructions:
       | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S6Cni3nkws
       | 
       | It's a shame they stopped manufacturing after the company was
       | sold. I had one and regret selling, as prices haven't really come
       | down!
       | 
       | Rest in peace and thanks for everything, Mr Parker!
        
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       (page generated 2025-10-05 23:00 UTC)