A Tale of Two Archtops: Parker Guitars archtops and Ken Parker archtops

[vjmanzo]

Here's an interesting bit of "Parker History" For a few years, there were two different “Parker” archtop guitar lines being sold by two different companies with "Parker" in the name: Ken Parker Archtops and Parker Guitars. It’s a little confusing, so this post, in response to a few offline inquiries I received, is intended to bring some clarity to “what’s what”.

Ken Parker left Parker Guitars in September 2003 when it was sold to U.S. Music Corp (USM), and returned to what he has regarded as his “first passion”: building archtop guitars; he did so by forming the new company Ken Parker Archtops. He spent about a year working setting up his new shop in New City, NY, and, in 2004, worked with a few former Ken began showcasing his archtops at NAMM and other events around 2006 under this company name. In 2006, Parker Guitars introduced the Parker Acoustic Series guitars and, in 2007, the Parker Jazz Series archtop guitars; these were the first acoustic guitar models sold by Parker Guitars [see the 2006 & 2007 catalogs for more information].

According to Ken’s website, he had no involvement in the creation or development of the Parker Acoustic Series or Jazz Series guitars. While these instruments are respectable in their own right, Ken’s archtop guitars are quite different from these instruments in a variety of ways including design, construction, electronics, materials, and, of course, timbre.

Unless you were keeping close tabs on Parker Guitars, you might not know that the acoustic guitars made by Parker Guitars were not the same as the instruments Ken was developing with Ken Parker Archtops. The Parker Guitars catalog from 2007, for example, showcased the new “Parker Jazz Series Guitars” alongside an image of Ken’s head, which probably didn’t help clarify that U.S.M. had developed their own archtop independent of Ken:

The 2009 catalog was the last Parker Guitars catalog to showcase the Acoustic Series and Jazz Series guitars though they were likely still available through the Parker Guitars custom shop until Parker Guitars closed in 2015.

For further history, see the "History" post.

[Mr303]

I’ve run into a couple sellers and owners through the years that didn’t know the difference between a Parker archtop and the Ken Parker archtop.
Not unlike knowing the difference between a Linda Manzer wedge guitar and one with a Manzer wedge design.


If you’ve never seen her Pikasso it’s worth a look.

https://manzer.com/

[vjmanzo]

I’ve run into a couple sellers and owners through the years that didn’t know the difference between a Parker archtop and the Ken Parker archtop.

I suspected that much, @Mr303; I think it's understandable if you bought the archtop used and didn't really know what you have. Good analogy with the Manzer wedge, and yes: the Pikasso is definitely worth a look!

[vjmanzo]

Does anyone know the backstory on the decision to inlay “J Man” and “J Cat” on the headstock/tailpiece of the PJ-12/14/24?

I don’t see any mention of an explicit endorsement in the catalogs. Larry Coryell’s photo is listed and seems to have played one. I’m curious, specifically, if he’s the “J Man” or the “J Cat” ?? Was there a different reference being made here with “J Man”? (And as I write these words, I’m reminded that, “as far as the state of New York is concerned”, Cosmo Kramer is the ass man)

Here’s a closeup of the headstock taken from this listing:

Here’s a closeup of the tailpiece taken from this listing:

I have a feeling that there was some announcement/narrative made on the now defunct Parker website that is not mentioned in any of the catalogs. Any factual info would be helpful. Thanks.