PARKER GUITARS | A REVOLUTION IN PRECISION AND SOUND FLY HANDBOOK The first thing you notice is how they look. A little weird. Strangely geometric. With parallel horns that reach up like arms, that want to play you right back. And they do. Because the moment you pick up a Parker guitar, you'll feel its sculpted recesses embrace your torso while its featherweight body gives you effortless access to every note. And when we say "every note", we mean every note--From visceral, in-your-face electric tones to the warm, juicy harmonies of acoustic. They're all here, in one guitar. The entire spectrum of jawdropping, impassioned sounds, just waiting to be transformed into music. Your music. One moment you're playing blistering electric grind. The next--thick, meaty, strum-heavy acoustic. And the next, the two voices are wailing simultaneously, crunching notes that were in your head before you even knew how to spell the word riff. What is this beast? It doesn't look like any other guitar ever made. It doesn't feel like any other guitar ever made. And there's no other guitar--period--that can turn sound into seduction like a Parker guitar. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS · Evolution of the Parker Fly · Features · Operation ­ Plugging In · Cords and Controls ­ Replacing Battery · Maintenance ­ Cleaning and Polishing ­ Fret Care · Adjustments ­ Balancing Piezo / Magnetic Output ­ Adjusting Bridge Height (Action) ­ Vibrato Bridge ­ Non-Vibrato Bridge ­ Adjusting Truss Rod ­ Setting Intonation ­ Changing Strings ­ Changing String Gauge ­ Using Sperzel Tuners · Trem Bridge ­ Dynamic Mechanics (description, physics) ­ Step-stop ­ Balance Wheel ­ Vibrato Bar ­ Spring ­ Changing Springs · Troubleshooting ­ No Sound ­ Buzzing ­ Ground Loops ­ Distorted Piezos ­ Weak or Distorted Sound · -- Won't Stay in Tune EVOLUTION OF THE FLY For forty-five years, guitar builders and technicians have re-combined the features of available instruments in countless ways, trying to serve the changing needs of guitarists. The uses and limitations of the new combinations have been fully explored by now. As different as they seem, solid-body and hollow-body guitars both create sound the same way. Both guitars are mechanical devices made of wood and other materials, designed to respond to a string's vibration. The only real difference is the mode of amplification. One uses pickups, circuitry and speakers; the other uses a wooden membrane to move the air. The character of both acoustic and electric guitars is determined by their materials and proportions. Knowing this, we set out to create the most versatile, responsive, and dependable instrument possible. In the end, what emerged was the unique instrument that you now own. Our search has led us down many new paths in hopes of achieving a harmonious balance between the magic soulfulness of wood, which can suffer from problems such as warping and cracking, and more stable modern materials, which typically sound cold and clinical. Think of our lightweight tonewood and exoskeleton of high-modulus carbon and glass fiber as a new kind of wood. This patented structure allows us to sculpt a beautiful, lightweight guitar, optimized for its ability to respond to the strings' vibrations. We have developed other innovative features, as well. Our patented stainless steel no-tang frets bonded to a laminated fingerboard, greatly increase fret life. There is also a new lightweight truss rod made of tool-steel, and a flat spring vibrato system designed to work with the Fly's built-in piezo-electric bridge pickups. Finally, we operate in a facility filled with custom tooling to support the manufacture of these new components and instruments. We're using the latest computer-aided manufacturing equipment combined with an especially high proportion of hand work. We're building these instruments to tolerances, never before held in our industry. Isn't it great that all of our attempts to make every instrument exactly the same, result in guitars that each have their own personality and character? FEATURES Congratulations on purchasing the most advanced, hand-crafted, precision-built guitar ever made. Some of the features are: · Stereo / Mono Capability · Smart-Switching Jack Sensor · Fishman Piezo Electric Transducers · Composite-Wrapped Tone Woods · Seasonally Stable Neck · DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan Pickups with Coil Splitting · Sperzel Brand Locking Tuners · Long-Lasting Stainless Steel Frets · Custom Parker Bridge · Ultra-Lightweight PLUGGING AND PLAYING Cords (stereo / mono) Fly models, Nylon Fly and Bronze Fly, are active guitars with mono output. Just plug in a standard cord and play. Remember, your Fly is equipped with a battery, so be sure to unplug the cord from the guitar when not in use to prolong battery life. The Fly Standard model (non-piezo) is passive with mono output. No battery is required. Fly models, Deluxe, Classic, Hardtail, Artist, Supreme, Jazz, Single Two, and Mojo, have active piezo and magnetic pickups, which are designed to work with either the stereo guitar cord shipped with the guitar or a standard guitar cord (mono). The onboard smart-jack circuit can tell the difference and automatically mixes the signal according to the type of cord that is plugged into the guitar. This allows you to route the pickups two different ways. With a standard guitar cord in use, a mixed piezo and magnetic mono signal is carried to one amplifier. With the stereo cord in use, the guitar output is split into stereo with the piezo signal going to one amplifier and the magnetic signal going to another amplifier. The stereo cord that is provided with the guitar allows you to send the signals to two different amplifiers. To get the most acoustic sound from the piezo pickups, use a hi-fidelity system, such as a PA, acoustic guitar amp, keyboard amp, or home stereo. Controls Your guitar has two separate systems for creation of sound: the piezoelectric transducers (acoustic bridge saddles) and the magnetic pickups (conventional guitar pickups). You can use them separately or together. Here's how: Pickup system selection (piezo and/or magnetic) I Switch Positions: I. Only piezo pickups activated II. Piezo and magnetic pickups activated III. Only magnetic pickups activated II III Your magnetic pickup system is only activated if you've chosen either II or III above. This system consists of two humbucker pickups with a coil tap. You can use these pickups separately or together in six possible combinations. Here's how: Magnetic pickup selection With Push-Pull Tone Knob DOWN A. Neck humbucker pickup B. Bridge and neck humbucker pickups C. Bridge humbucker pickup With Push-Pull Tone Knob UP A. Neck single coil pickup (split coil) B. Bridge and neck single coils wired in parallel C. Bridge single coil pickup (split coil) Both systems have volume knobs: The magnetic pickup volume is controlled by knob 3. The magnetic circuit also has a treble-cut tone knob on knob 2. The piezo volume is controlled by knob 1. Push-pull knob 2 to control magnetic coil splitting. 3 2 1 To get the most acoustic sound from the piezo pickups, use a hi-fidelity system, such as a PA, acoustic guitar amp, keyboard amp, or home stereo. Battery The battery is there to provide power to the on-board piezo preamp and the internal mixer. This unique mixer circuit uses sophisticated voltage-doubling synthesis circuitry, that gives you twice the clean headroom, compared to common on-board electronics. This circuit enables the Fly to blend the magnetic pickups with the active piezos, expanding the range of tonal options. The battery has a useful life of approximately 300 hours. It's turned on when a cord is plugged into the guitar. To extend battery life, please remember to remove the plug when you're not playing your guitar. When the battery is low, a distorted output signal or a high-pitched whistle will serve as an audio reminder to change the battery. Replacing the Battery The 9-Volt battery slides into a compartment on the back plate of the guitar. To replace the battery, open the battery box door. Remove the old battery and insert the new battery. Be sure to match the battery's positive terminal with that of the battery box. Close the battery box door. MAINTENANCE As with all fine musical instruments, a little care and maintenance go a long way toward preserving your investment. Cleaning and Polishing If you're just trying to remove fingerprints or dust, use a soft guitar-polishing cloth. To remove fine scratches or clean heavy dirt, use a non-abrasive guitar polish and follow the manufacturer's directions. Please use products designed only for guitars, as some polishes contain a b r a s i v e s t h a t can scratch the finish. Fret Care Our patented frets and fretboard system consists of hardened stainless steel frets bonded to a glass and carbon fiber fretboard. It is very important to keep the fretboard clean. Not doing so can result in corrosion. You can clean the fretboard with warm water on a soft cloth making sure to remove any dirt or sweat that may have built up around the frets. Parker Guitars does not recommend using oils, waxes, or solvents on the fretboard. Using such products can damage the frets and will void the warranty. Fret service performed otherwise will void the warranty. ADJUSTMENTS Parker designed the Fly guitar to be easy to adjust. If you're unfamiliar with making these adjustments, we suggest that you take your instrument to your favorite guitar technician. Balancing Piezo / Magnetic Output Your guitar is equipped with a piezo output control. We set this control at the factory, so that the full volume outputs of the piezo and magnetic systems are equal. Since string gauges and pickup height affect the output of the magnetic pickups, you may want to change the relative levels of the two systems by adjusting the piezo output. To do this, remove the back plate, and adjust the small knob mounted on the circuit board. This trim pot controls the output (gain) of the piezo pickup. Exercise caution when removing the back plate, as the lead wires from the battery to the circuit board can become disconnected. Adjusting Bridge Height (Action) Your Fly has been shipped with a very low playing action, which still allows a wide dynamic range of .070" on the bass side and .050" on the treble side. Playing action is the measurement of the gap between the top of the twelfth fret and the bottom of the string when fretting at the first fret. If you lower your action even further, be aware that some buzzing may occur. Due to the sensitivity of our Fishman Piezo electronics, the resonance of our composite construction and the hardness of the stainless steel frets, all of which lead to Parker's superior harmonic overtone expression, string buzz will be more apparent on your guitar. Action adjustment is always done by raising and lowering the bridge, never by adjusting the truss rod. BRIDGE The Fly's bridge is designed and made exclusively by Parker. The radius of the bridge exactly matches that of the neck, creating a solid mounting for the piezo saddles. This enhances the tone and sustain. Action adjustments are made by moving the entire bridge up or down or by adjusting screws on the back of the guitar. However, the number and placement of these screws depends upon whether you have a vibrato bridge or a non-vibrato bridge. If you're unfamiliar with adjusting action, we suggest that you take your instrument to your favorite guitar technician. Vibrato Bridge Action is adjusted by turning the two hex-head screws on the back of the guitar. Using the Lshaped 5/32 Allen wrench supplied with your guitar, turn the screws clockwise to lower the bridge, and counterclockwise to raise it. To make a large adjustment, alternate between the two screws. Do not turn them more than a turn at a time. Non-Vibrato Bridge Action is adjusted by turning the three screws in the back of the guitar. Using the T-handle 3/32 Allen wrench supplied with your guitar, turn the screws clockwise to raise the bridge, and counterclockwise to lower it. To make a large adjustment, be sure to keep the bridge level. To do this, alternate between the three screws, turning them no more than a turn at a time. Adjusting the Truss Rod The truss rod is easily accessible, via the hole located on the bottom edge of the headstock. To adjust the rod, use the Torx wrench supplied with your guitar. Turn it clockwise to tighten the rod, and counterclockwise to loosen it. Be aware that the rod adjustment is very sensitive, one-sixth turn yields a lot of movement. For example, changing from .009" to .010" string gauge will require as little as a 1/4 turn clockwise of the truss rod. If you're unfamiliar with adjusting a truss rod, we strongly suggest that you take your instrument to your favorite guitar technician. Misadjusting the truss rod can cause irreparable damage to your instrument. Settin ...