Parkers and GK3 installation (external)

Started by pasha811, November 30, 2014, 01:38:14 AM

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pasha811

The more I look for a lighter guitar to ease my spine, the more I hit the Parker brand. :)
The PDF80 Series looks good : http://www.parkerguitars.com/PDF-Radial-Neck-Joint-Models/ and I can afford it.
However, the distance between the bridge and the bridge PU seems not enough to mount a GK3 there.
http://www.parkerguitars.com/images/stories/manuals/Parker%20PDF%20Series%20Manual.pdf

So the questions are:

To mount a GK3 I imagine I have to remove the humbucker cover or cut the closest side to the bridge resulting in a 'U' shape. Is this the best way? Is there enough space between the strings and the body to mount a GK3? Double tape or Screws? I have no experience with guitars without a pickguard being a Fender guy so every suggestion is appreciated.

Pls share your experience with Parkers (any model) and GK3 external installation.

Keep in mind that it looks like the importer of Parker for Italy as given up so it's very hard to find the real thing and what I have found  in the shops are PM 20, PDF42 MB, Nitefly MOJO.
I can order others on line via thomann (Germany) only.
http://www.thomann.de/it/parker.html?sid=2db10b1ca745a97b624c9ed2f1400054

Thanks in advance,
Pasha




Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Frankster

Looks like it would be a very tight squeeze to fit a GK-3 in the gap between the humbucker mounting plate and bridge. Remember that you also need some clearance for the tremolo to move freely.

The page you linked does say ...

QuoteGraph Tech™ ghost® piezo saddles Acousti-phonic Modular Pre-amp

... so wouldn't it be a whole lot easier to upgrade that to the Graph Tech 13-pin preamp?

Kevin M

The Graphtech system would not yield the best results, in my opinion. The PDF80 looks pretty tight even without the cover. The PDF60 model looks like it has more space. Might be best to send them an email asking for measurements of the space.

mbenigni

The angle of the bridge and/or bridge pickups seems to have changed on these more recent Parkers.  I have a 1995-ish Fly Deluxe (the original design with the tension wheel, etc.) and I've had no problem mounting a GK-3 on it in the past.  It's a pretty tight fit, but the trem on these guitars doesn't move much near the fulcrum when you dive, so it's not an issue.

But yes, if you settle on a model with a pickup ring, you'll probably have to modify or remove it.  Do the early Nitefly's have pickup rings?  I know my MIDIFly's do not.

pasha811

Thank you for reply.
I'll drop an email to Parker Support.
In the meantime I have discovered that the import of Parker Guitar has been 'suspended'.
In December nobody wants to grow its warehouse stock as they pay a lot of taxes on it, so it might be that they will resume import next January. Of course if I find out that there's no support, repair shop, original parts in my country.. I'll have to ditch the whole project. ::)
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

mbenigni

Pasha, I'd strongly advise that you start hunting for a used fly or nitefly instead of worrying yourself over current manufacturing and distribution.