Parker Fly User manual

Nite-Fly History
The NiteFly has gone through a number of feature and
specification changes since the original introduction in 1996.
The following information is supplied to help clarify the
differences between the various NiteFly versions.
NITEFLY 1 & 2 (Built from11/96 to 2/98)
Introduced at the July '96 Summer Namm Show in Nashville, and shipping in
September of that year, the original NiteFly models featured Maple bodies and
composite reinforced bolt-on Basswood necks with a carbon and glass
fingerboard and 22 jumbo stainless-steel jumbo frets. Pickups included
custom-wound DiMarzios and Fishman Piezos in a simple passive system.
The passive piezo system allowed the user to split the magnetic and piezo
pickups, with a supplied stereo-Y cable, and send the signals to separate amps.
When a mono cable is used, only the magnetic pickup signal is heard. An
outboard piezo preamp is still needed when connecting directly to a mixer. *
See the section on the Parker NiteMix external piezo preamp below.
NFV1
Body: Maple
Neck: Basswood
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Single/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® passive
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Colors: White Pearl w/white pickguard (NFV1/W)
Sunburst w/white pickguard (NFV1/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV1/TR)
Black w/white pickguard (NFV1/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV1/TB)
NFV2
Body: Maple
Neck: Basswood
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® passive
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Colors: White Pearl w/white pickguard (NFV2/W)
Sunburst w/black pickguard (NFV2/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV2/TR)
Black w/black pickguard (NFV2/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV2/TB)
NiteFly 3 & 4 - With built-in Piezo/Magnetic Mixer & Preamp
(Built from11/96 to 2/98)
The NiteFly 3 & 4 models were introduced at the January '98 Winter Namm
show and begin shipping the next month. These new "improved" NiteFly guitars
were equipped with a special Fishman® NiteMix™ active circuit that allowed the
piezo and magnetic signals to be mixed right from the guitar. This new active
mixer & preamp circuit allowed the two signals to be summed in mono and
sent to one amp or to be split in stereo and each signal sent to a separate amp
selectable with a pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch. (Sound familiar?
Think Fly.)
Body and neck construction remained the same as the NiteFly 1 & 2.
NFV3
Body: Maple
Neck: Basswood
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Single/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: White Pearl w/white pickguard (NFV3/W)
Sunburst w/white pickguard (NFV3/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV3/TR)
Black w/white pickguard (NFV3/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV3/TB)
NFV4
Body: Maple
Neck: Basswood
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles Jumbo frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: White Pearl w/white pickguard (NFV4/W)
Sunburst w/black pickguard (NFV4/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV4/TR)
Black w/black pickguard (NFV4/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV4/TB)
Parker NiteMix
External NiteFly Piezo/Magnetic Mixer & Preamp Box
Along with the unveiling of the new active NFV3 & 4 models a new external
mixer & preamp box was introduced at Winter Namm '98. Designed
specifically for NFV1 & 2 NiteFlys equipped with a passive piezo system, the
Fishman® built NiteMix™ was an external piezo preamp and tone circuit as well
as a piezo/magnetic pickup mixer. This external box enabled both the magnetic
and piezo sounds of the passive NiteFly models to easily be played through a
single guitar amplifier. And, besides mixing the two sounds, the NiteMix also
included level, EQ and phase controls for the piezo signal.
The NiteMix featured separate piezo and magnetic inputs and a summed or
mixed output. So using the supplied NiteFly stereo Y-cable connected to the
NiteMix inputs, and a single cable from the NiteMix output to the amp,
switching between the two pickup systems could now be done right from the
guitar, just like on the new NiteFly 3 & 4 models.
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The NiteMix magnetic input also featured a stereo jack enabling a single stereo
cable (with stereo jacks on both ends) to be used. The NiteMix preamp and EQ
section also improved the piezo pickup signal when a passive NiteFly model is
connected directly into a mixer.
This external preamp/mixer box is available from Fishman and sold as the
PowerMix™. For more info visit www.fishman.com.
PNM1 - Original Suggested List Price: $160
NiteMix Features
Piezo Controls: Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Phase
Inputs: Magnetic Input (Stereo or Mono), Piezo Input
Output: Summed Piezo/Magnetic Output
Power: 9 volt battery (or adapter)
Dimensions: 4" x 3" x 1 3/4"
NiteFlys 5 through 8 (Built from 4/98 to 12/99)
The NiteFly 5, 6, 7 & 8 models featured thinner, more contoured Ash and
Mahogany bodies and Mahogany necks along with revoiced DiMarzio®
magnetic pickups and the Fishman® active piezo system.
The new "version-two" DiMarzio magnetic pickups were voiced specifically for
the new body woods. The three single-coil (NFV5) and the one hum, two
single-coil models (NFV6 & NFV7) have a very sweet and balanced "Texas
Blues" tone. The two humbucker NiteFly (NFV8) produces a more "gnarly" and
thick, in-your-face type of tone but still has great "Parker" string-to-string
balance.
Production on these models actually started in early '98 but the NiteFly 5 & 6
did not ship in the U.S. until their introduction at the January '99 Winter Namm
Show, with the NiteFly 7 & 8 models following in February and March.
NFV5
Body: Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Single/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back.
Colors: Sunburst w/white pickguard (NFV5/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV5/TR)
Black w/white pickguard (NFV5/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV5/TBL)
NFV6
Body: Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back.
Colors: Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFV6/TR)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFV6/TBL)
NFV7
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back.
Colors: Sunburst with black pickguard (NFV7/SB)
Transparent Red with black pickguard (NFV7/TR)
Black with black pickguard (NFV7/B)
NFV8
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/Hum
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: Sunburst w/black pickguard (NFV8/SB)
Transparent Red w/black pickguard (NFV8/TR)
Black w/black pickguard (NFV8/B)
NiteFly-SA & M Models
(Built with the following specs from 12/99 to 7/01)
With their reintroduction at Namm January 2000, the evolution of the NiteFly
continued with the NiteFly-SA, and M models. They featured thinner, more
contoured, one-piece solid Ash or Mahogany bodies. To avoid the confusion
caused by the earlier model numbers (NFV1-8!), Parker chose to simplify
things and dubbed these new NiteFlys, "SA" and "M" specifying their body wood.
A non-piezo equipped model, the SA Standard, went into production exactly
one year later.
NFV-SA
Body: One-piece solid Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: Sunburst w/white pickguard (NFVSA/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFVSA/TR)
Black w/white pickguard (NFVSA/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFVSA/TB)

NFV-M
Body: One-piece solid Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/Hum
Piezo system: Fishman® active
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Pickguard mounted Stereo/Mono switch
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: Sunburst w/black pickguard (NFVM/SB)
Transparent Red w/black pickguard (NFVM/TR)
Black w/black pickguard (NFVM/B)
NFV-SA Standard (Non-piezo model)
Body: One-piece solid Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Scale Length: 25.5"
Colors: Sunburst w/white pickguard (NFVSAST/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pickguard (NFVSAST /TR)
Black w/white pickguard (NFVSAST /B)
Transparent Blue w/white pickguard (NFVSAST /TB)
"New" NiteFly-SA & M Models - (Built from 7/01 to present)
The current "NEW" NiteFly-SA and M models were introduced at Summer
Namm July 2001. These new "refined" NiteFly models exude American
craftsmanship and Parker playability.
The New NiteFlys now use the Fishman PowerChip circuit that has been used in
the MIDIFly since its introduction in January '99. The PowerChip features auto
stereo/mono cable detection with its "Smart Switching" output jack. The
pickguard on the NiteFly SA is changed from white/black/white to white
pearloid. The NiteFly-M's pickguard is removed entirely exposing a beautiful
one piece Mahogany body that is hand-rubbed with oil and wax. Control knobs
are changed from black rubberized to a traditional chrome dome style.
NFV-SA
Body: One-piece solid Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Piezo system: Fishman® PowerChip™ active piezo preamp with "Smart
Switching" output jack
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Control knobs: Chrome "Dome"
Scale Length: 25.5"
9-volt battery compartment on back
Colors: Sunburst w/white pearloid pickguard (NFVSA/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pearloid pickguard
(NFVSA/TR)
Black w/white pearloid pickguard (NFVSA/B)
Transparent Blue w/white pearloid pickguard
(NFVSA/TB)
NFV-M
Body: One-piece solid Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/Hum with push/pull coil-split switch
Piezo system: Fishman® PowerChip™ active piezo preamp with "Smart
Switching" output jack
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed black locking Sperzel®
Control knobs: Black chrome "Dome"
Scale Length: 25.5"
9-volt battery compartment on back
Color: Hand-rubbed, oil and varnish "Natural" finish (NFM/N)
NFV-SA Standard
Body: One-piece solid Ash
Neck: Mahogany
Magnetic Pickups: Custom-wound DiMarzio®
Pickup configuration: Hum/single/single
Bridge: Precision-cast aluminum vibrato bridge with Stainless-steel
saddles
Jumbo frets: 22 Stainless-steel
Tuners: Brushed chrome locking Sperzel®
Control knobs: Chrome "Dome"
Scale Length: 25.5"
Colors: Sunburst w/white pearloid pickguard (NFVSAST/SB)
Transparent Red w/white pearloid pickguard
(NFVSAST /TR)
Black w/white pearloid pickguard (NFVSAST /B)
Transparent Blue w/white pearloid pickguard
(NFVSAST /TB)
3-20-03
PARKER GUITARS P.O. BOX 388 WILMINGTON MA 01887 USA 978.988.0102 FAX [phone] www.parkerguitars.com
NOTHING PLAYS LIKE A PARKER
®