Parker Fly User manual

FLY HANDBOOK
PARKER GUITARS | A REVOLUTION IN PRECISION AND SOUND

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
playyourightback.Andtheydo.Becausethemomentyoupickupa
Parkerguitar, you'llfeelits sculptedrecesses embraceyour torsowhile
itsfeatherweightbodygivesyou 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 allhere,inoneguitar.Theentirespectrumofjaw-
dropping,impassioned sounds,justwaiting 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 inyour headbefore youeven knewhow 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.
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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
exploredbynow.Asdifferentastheyseem,solid-bodyandhollow-bodyguitarsboth
create sound the same way. Both guitars are mechanical devices made of
wood and othermaterials,designedtorespondtoastring’svibration.Theonlyreal
differenceisthemodeofamplification.Oneusespickups,circuitryandspeakers;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
typicallysoundcoldandclinical.Thinkofourlightweighttonewoodandexoskeleton
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 respondto thestrings’ vibrations. We have developed other innovative features,
aswell.Ourpatentedstainlesssteelno-tangfretsbondedtoalaminatedfingerboard,
greatlyincreasefretlife.Thereisalsoanewlightweighttrussrodmadeoftool-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)
Flymodels,NylonFlyandBronzeFly,areactiveguitarswithmonooutput.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
designedtoworkwitheitherthestereoguitarcordshippedwiththeguitar
orastandardguitarcord (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,suchasaPA,acousticguitaramp,keyboardamp,orhomestereo.

Controls
Your guitar has two separate systems for creation of sound: the piezo-
electric transducers (acousticbridgesaddles) andthemagneticpickups
(conventional guitar pickups). You can use them separately or together.
Here’s how:
Pickup system selection (piezo and/or magnetic)
Switch Positions:
I. Only piezo pickups activated
II. Piezo and magnetic pickups activated
III. Only magnetic pickups activated
Your magnetic pickup system is only activated if you’ve chosen either II or
IIIabove.Thissystemconsistsoftwohumbuckerpickupswithacoiltap.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 andneck singlecoils wiredin parallel
C. Bridge single coil pickup (split coil)
I
II
III

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.
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.
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Battery
Thebattery isthere toprovide powerto theon-board piezopreamp andthe
internalmixer. This uniquemixer circuit usessophisticated 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
terminalwiththat of thebattery box. Closethebattery
box door.

MAINTENANCE
Aswithallfinemusicalinstruments,alittlecareandmaintenancegoalong
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 direc-
tions. Please use products designed only for guitars, as some
polishes contain abrasives that 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
softclothmakingsuretoremoveanydirt orsweatthatmayhavebuilt
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
ParkerdesignedtheFly guitar to be easy toadjust.Ifyou’reunfamiliarwith
makingtheseadjustments,wesuggestthatyoutakeyourinstrumenttoyour
favorite guitar technician.
Balancing Piezo / Magnetic Output
Yourguitarisequippedwithapiezooutputcontrol.Wesetthiscontrolatthe
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.
Todothis,removethebackplate,andadjustthesmallknobmountedonthe
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.

BRIDGE
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.
Ifyouloweryouractionevenfurther,beawarethatsomebuzzingmayoccur.
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.
The Fly’s bridge is designed and made exclusively by Parker. The radius of
thebridgeexactlymatchesthatoftheneck,creatingasolidmountingforthe
piezo saddles. This enhances the tone and sustain. Action adjustments are
madebymovingtheentire bridge up ordownorbyadjusting screws onthe
back of the guitar. However, the number and placement of these screws
dependsuponwhether you haveavibrato bridge oranon-vibratobridge. 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 L-
shaped 5/32 Allen wrench supplied with your guitar,
turn the screws clockwise to lower the bridge, and
counterclockwiseto raiseit.Tomakealargeadjust-
ment, alternate between the two screws. Do not
turn them more than a turn at a time.
Non-Vibrato Bridge
Actionisadjustedbyturningthethreescrewsin
the back of the guitar. Using the T-handle
3/32Allen 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,turningthemnomorethana turnata
time.

Adjusting the Truss Rod
Thetrussrodiseasilyaccessible,viathe holelocatedonthebottomedgeof
the headstock. To adjust the rod, use the Torx wrench supplied with your
guitar.Turnitclockwisetotightentherod,andcounterclockwisetoloosenit.
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.

Setting Intonation
Tosetthestringlengthorintonation,loosenthescrewthatclampsthebridge
saddleinplace with thesuppliedT-handles 3/32 Allenwrench. If thestring
plays sharp, slide the saddle back to make the string longer. If it plays flat,
slide it forward. Re-tighten the saddle screw. The piezo-electric elements in
thebridgearedelicate,sobecareful.Theeraserendofapencilisasafetool
for sliding the saddles.
Intonationisaffectedbychangingstringgauge,trussrodadjustment,action
height, or how hard you press the strings.

Using Sperzel Locking Tuners
Virtuallytheonly partofyour Flyguitarthat isn’t madeby, or especiallyfor
us, is the tuners. We proudly use Sperzel tuners, designed and
manufactured in the USA, because they combine excellent quality, a
patented string locking system, and minimal weight. Sperzel’s patented
string clamp eliminates tying and multiple string wraps, greatly
improving tuning stability.
To remove a string, detune the guitar
and loosen the knurled knob at the
backofthetuner.Stoplooseningwhen
you feel some resistance. Before
restringing, turn eachtuneruntilthe
hole in the capstan is parallel with the
string path. Feed the string through,
pull out the slack, tighten the clamp
knob,andtuneup.Donotovertighten.

Adjusting the Pickup Height
DIMARZIO PICKUPS
Each DiMarzio humbucking pickup is secured to the body by two hex-head
screws. On the coil, closer to the bridge, the mounting screw is the screw
undertheBstring.Onthecoil,closertotheneck,themountingscrewisthe
screw under the A string. Turn the screws clockwise to tighten and
counterclockwise to loosen.
To adjust pickup height, unscrew both pickup mounting screws. Raise or
lower your pickup to the desired position with your fingers. Retighten both
pickup mounting screws flush with top of pickup. Do not over tighten.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS
Each Seymour Duncan pickup is secured to the body by two slotted screws.
These mounting screws are located under the E strings on the outside coils.
Turnthescrewsclockwisetotightenandcounterclockwisetoloosen.Toadjust
pickup height, unscrew both pickup mounting screws. Raise or lower your
pickup to the desired position with your fingers. Retighten both pickup
mounting screws flush with top of pickup. Do not over tighten pickup
mounting screws flush with top of pickup.

VIBRATO
IMPORTANT! Always tune your guitar with the step-stop in the DOWN
position(i.e.withthestep-stop in the HOMEposition). Don’t ever
tune it with the step-stop in the UPposition. Most problemsthat
are encountered with this vibrato system are caused by tuning the guitar
when the bridge is not in the HOMEposition. It is also veryimportant to
use a spring matched to the string size in use.
Our vibrato system offers all the options and flexibility, a guitarist could
want.Thetwocontrolsknownasthestep-stopandthebalancewheelareused
to select from the three modes of operation; balanced, bend down only, or
fixed.
One tool is needed to adjust the step-stop and the balance wheel, in order to
select one of the three modes. This tool is the 1/8” diameter, 5” long
chrome bar.

STEP-STOP
BALANCE WHEEL
This two-position rotary switch is located between the height adjustment
screws, through a slot in the back cover
plate. Use the supplied step-stop/slide
wheel wrench to adjust the step-stop.
These two positions are:
The wheel is located inside the guitar and is accessed through a slot in the
backplatenear the buttend of theguitar.Its jobisto adjust theamountof
pressure the spring exerts on the bridge to fight the string tension.
IMPORTANT! Always tune your guitar in the FIXED or BEND DOWN
mode. Any problems that you may encounter with this vibrato system are
most likely causedby tuningtheguitar whenthe bridgeisnot HOME.