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Show and tell! This is a place to showcase your Parker guitar! New members are encouraged to introduce themselves here.
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Bristol_Fashion
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Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:59 am

Just joined!

Post by Bristol_Fashion »

I thought I'd say Hello and have copy / pasted the email I was about to send to Ken, just before I read his advice to try you guys, for all matters relating to his famous solid-body guitars - so here's the text of said email !! (Important bits emboldened.)
Dear Ken, I'm writing to you with a modest request for some information.  A summary of the background is as follows.
Ever since I heard Adrian Belew play those 2 blistering and outlandish-sounding solos on the Talking Heads track The Great Curve, I've been interested in his playing and thought him exceptional in a world of I-can-play-the-blues clones.  Imagine my envy when I learnt that my very own cousin has shared a stage with him!  Keeping an eye on Adrian's career, I obviously spotted the Fly when he adopted it and have always wondered what they were like to hold and to play, without being able to justify a purchase - I am not a good guitar player!
Approaching retirement, I thought about rejuvenating an early hobby of working with solid guitars and so bought a much-abused Parker single cut recently.  It came with a Parker hardtail - see photo - but without mounting bolts. The internet has revealed great photos of a Parker Fly Jazz, but of course they only show the outside.  Can you tell me please who I could ask about the exact way this piece of hardware attaches to the guitar body and how it is adjusted?  I thought I'd start the hunt by asking your advice - I know you must be busy as I'm aware that you work at your arch-top business - but when I sat down to think who to ask, I thought who better than the man himself??
kind regards,
Simon,
Bristol, UK
As you can see, I've just taken on a Parker-orintated restoration project, after years of not working on guitars, so will almost certainly need some guidance from you guys, now & then... if anyone has any information about the hardtail bridge - not the vibrato version, I will be grateful. In particular, a cross-section diagram would be invalueable - or else a verbal description of how it mounts and adjusts. The project and the included hardtail can be seen below, as well as a piccie of an (utterly gorgeous!) Parker Fly Jazz, which clearly shows that the hardtail adjusts from the back, in a manner similar to the vibrato bridge.
Parker single cut rebuild project
Parker single cut rebuild project
rear of Parker Fly Jazz
rear of Parker Fly Jazz
regards, BF, Bristol, UK
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vjmanzo
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Post by vjmanzo »

Hi @Bristol_Fashion; welcome!

Sounds like a great project! The Fly hardtail bridge is a great design using three Mac-it clamp screws to adjust the height. Check out our Anatomy of a Fly page for photos and parts. To install the bridge in this Singlecut like they are in the Fly Jazz (and other hardtails), you’ll want to make a route for the bridge, install three inserts in the body, and then use the clamp screws to adjust the height.

Sounds like fun! Keep us posted!
Bristol_Fashion
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Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:59 am

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Post by Bristol_Fashion »

Whoo-Hoo - I loves a forum where I get a reply so quick - thanks!! BTW I mentioned my cousin playing with the awsome Mr Belew in my first post - here's a link to a YT vid. of the band doing a proper job of Fashion - Enjoy! Haven't seen my cuz in years (he lives in LA & I live in Bristol, England)
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vjmanzo
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Post by vjmanzo »

That’s terrific, @Bristol_Fashion! We’ve got quite a few forum members here that love both Belew and his signature Fly! Thanks for posting the link—sounds and looks great!
Bristol_Fashion
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Post by Bristol_Fashion »

Continuing on the subject of the hardtail bridge, are we thinking that the middle of the three holes on the back of the bridge lies on the centre line of the neck? It would make sense if it was, and my intial measurements suggest that it is, but it will do no harm to check with you guys!
back of hardtail bridge
back of hardtail bridge
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vjmanzo
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Post by vjmanzo »

Hi @Bristol_Fashion; yes, you’re correct that the center screw is centered, but this is where it gets a little tricky:
96F80ADF-DD2C-46D6-A0F1-0BDC08DB0522.jpeg
Notice that the bridge is actually at a bit of an angle 😬 If you were to put saddles on your bridge and string it up, you’ll notice the correct angle of the bridge.
FB9715FD-5AD9-423F-88B9-CEE1A297B4A6.jpeg
Bristol_Fashion
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Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:59 am

Re: Just joined!

Post by Bristol_Fashion »

Excellent - thanks :-) Am assembling all the missing components before I start marking, routing & drilling... will take lots of photos. I'll keep you guys posted.
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