Parker Guitars NiteFly III

Manufactured: USA
Year: 1997

Body Style: [ultra-ergonomic] Parker original
Bridge: Parker cast aluminum vibrato bridge w/ stainless steel saddles
Finish: Polyurethane Body & Neck [sunburst]
Woods:
Mahogany neck
Solid Swamp Ash body/top

Fingerboard: Carbon & glass
Frets: 22 [Stainless Steel]
Neck Radius: 10-13" conical
Neck scale: 25.5"
Nut: GraphTech 1.68" wide
Tuners: Sperzel locking tuners

Controls:
Piezo Volume (2k)
Tone (500k)
Volume (500k)
Summed Mono/Split Stereo Switch

5-way selector
1. Neck
2. Neck & Center
3. Center
4. Bridge & Center
5. Bridge
3-way selector
1. Magnetic pickups only
2. Magnetic & piezo
3. Piezo pickups only
Electronics: Custom design Fishman active circuit
Pickup Configuration: S/S/S (and Piezo)
Pickup Make & Model: Custom DiMarzio Single-coils & 6-element Fishman piezo system

Accessories: Parker padded gig bag & 20' split stereo cable

I give this guitar's features a 9 only because the newer models come with a few options that my older model lacks, such as an external tone control for the Fishman piezo system.

Musical Style: Industrial/HBM style music (like Guenter Schulz, only not as fast, not as clean, and not as well)

Amp:
In general, a Roland JC120
For recording, a Behringer V-Amp

Effects:
Behringer V-Amp
Art T2
Marshall JH-1 Jackhammer
Noise: In the 1, 3, and 5 positions it is noisy. The pickup compartment should be shielded.
Sound Quality: Very full, very rich, capable of bright/cutting sounds reminiscent of a Les Paul P90
Kinds of Sounds:
Useful for a variety of sounds, from clean to noise (for example, Reeves Gabrels)
Hard and digital
Soft and warm/analog
Suspect that it would work well for jazz and country
Capable of sounding very much like an amplified acoustic guitar when using the piezo system
Combinations of the piezo and magnetic pickups are very pleasing
Likes: capable of both vintage and new sounds
Dislikes: the noise!

I rate the sound of this guitar as a 9; even though the noise is a problem, the aural potential of this instrument is amazing.

Factory Setup:
I bought this guitar used, so I don't know if the setup had been changed
I wouldn't/didn't need to make a change
Other Parked that I've played in stores have a similar setup.
Condition: perfect condition, no dents, perfect finish
Dislikes: The plastic film covering the pickguard was under the screws, meaning; to remove it, I had to loosen the screws and pull out the scrap
Finish: wood choice is top quality and the slight burgundy tone to the darker part of the sunburst in beautiful (it appears black at first)
Pickup Adjustment: Adjusted perfectly for my playing

Playable Live: Definitely. I saw the guitarist for VAST toss his against a poll a few times before finishing a solo
Hardware Durability: Best I've seen. Most is stainless steel, doesn't tarnish. Every piece crafted with the same attention given to the instrument as a whole.
Finish Durability: Finish is thick and solid, not prone to dents from light impact
Strap Buttons: Solid, not a worry
Reliability: Would use it without a backup, even though that's not a bright idea. Would carry an extra battery for the piezo system.

Friendliness: I asked a dozen silly questions and they answered each one with patience
Helpfulness: Very helpful, gave complete and thorough answers
Repair: Never needed
Speed: Very quick response via e-mail

Time Playing: 10 years
Other Guitars:
Hohner SE 35
Hohner SE 400
Compared to other Guitars: Tried many different Schecters, Music Mans, and Sparkle Jets, chose this one because it is consistently well built, and plays so well.
Favorite Feature: playability! the slogan is, "Nothing plays like a Parker" and that is very true.
Stolen/Lost: Would definitely buy another like it (maybe a newer model, or the deluxe because it looks cooler -- Mmmm... Cobalt Blue.)
What I Hate: Honestly, nothing (though it is noisy)
What I Love: the Craftsmanship and design! (the body takes some getting used to, but you'll love when you get to know it)
Wish it Had: A built in sustainer

22 frets ... 3 Dimrarzio single coils ... Fishman Piezo bridge p/u's ... Parker Vibrato ..."Smart Switching"

In the electric mode only sounds very strat-like ( but smoother )
The piezo only mode is clear and balanced.
The mixed mode lets you dial in a little stonger sound .... ideal for standing out in a band mix

Sounds fantastic ....very balanced ( almost gibsonish in a way )

Beautiful fretwork ... finish ( sunburst ) is flawless Neck is great


Very Classy

Everything is put on solid ... not cheap feeling in the least
Tremolo unit isn't loose ... I like that, it gives you very precise control over the bends

No problems yet

Never dealth with 'em

It might just be the perfect electric guitar
I love the stereo output
Sounds great
Pretty light
Looks FANTSTIC

This is a 98 Nitefly made in the USA with 3 Dimarzio single coils in a strat configuration. Other wise it is just like the rest of the Parkers described here. This particular model, was (I believe) the first Nitefly to use the on-board pre-amp "Smart Switching" system.
You have contol over volume and tone for the electric p-u's, and volume only for the piezo's. I kinda wish there were a tone control for these as well, I think the Fly's have it...

I am playing in an organic electonic band, we've been compared to Joy Division if they had a female singer. My girlfriend describes us as a Post-Modern Jefferson Airplane.
I am playing through an Ibanez Smashbox dist pedal, into an early 90's Fender Princeton Chorus. I also have an old Boss SE-50 rack effects, but I have'nt really taken the time to integrate it yet. I run the guitar in stereo (as it should be) by direct boxing the piezos into a Roland Mixing amp, along with the keyboards.
I really like the sound of this guitar, because, in effect it doesn't have one. The pick-ups are good, but not great, the piezo's are really cool, but I have to keep their volume rolled off at least 25% most of the time. But, I like that. It gives me a solid base upon which to design my own sound as it serves me, with various taps of foot switches I can take it from a bright, glassy, almost brittle clean to ear bleeding distortion. Just straight into the amp, the gutar is capable of 11 different tones, just from it's on board switches. Since my band has a really varied set of influences, and is based off of sequences and samples, I needed something that could be manipulated easily.

I bought this used from the original owner, who got it about 3 years ago, and then hardly ever touched it, there was still plastic on the pickguard. I've never been really picky about intonation and set up. I raised the pick-ups some, but left everything else as is. For those that know Parkers, I have the bridge in "bend-down only mode"
That sounds dirty doesn't it?

The Nitefly is definitely heavier than it's pricier cousin. When it's strapped on it doesn't feel much different than most strat style guitars. Yes, the top horn does jab me right above my solar plexus when sitting down, so I rarely sit down with it... it holds it's tune very well, my banging on it tends to pull the low E down a half step after a few hours, but it's the first guitar I've owned without a locking nut that didn't have a slippery G string (That sounds dirty too). Sperzels should be standard on all guitars. They use auto body paint for the finish and it is thick, mine is a pearl white and it looks great. I don't own another guitar so I am forced to gig without back-up, but my bass player has the same model in black so I'm safe in a worst case scenario

I haven't had a problem yet, but I did e-mail Parker for some info, it took about a month to respond, but they answered all my questions and were very personable

I have been playing for 18 years now. I have owned a Japanese Srat (84), An Ibanez Destroyer II (82), a late 80's BC Rich Outlaw, two weird early 70's SG's, an early 90's Epiphone SG and various other cheap-o 80's metal guitars. When I first saw Parkers a few years ago I thought they were pretty, but my punk-rock sensibilities couldn't hang with a $3000 guitar. I stopped playing for a few years and picked it up again last year, somehow I came across a review and knew I had to have one. Luckily, I saw a local ad 2 months ago for one I could afford. I was considering a new P-38, but it's lack of the special fingerboard really bothered me, plus, I don't really like that transparent finish, and the neck felt different as well. I had done so much research I knew what I was buying when I got it. I really don't hate a thing about it. The pick-up config is really what sold me on the guitar. I will echo the sentiment heard here before, I don't think I will ever play another guitar. And I'm saving my money to get a Fly.