Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm just curious if anybody has tried one of the new acoustic guitars by Ken Parker? On his guitars, he pushes the waist forward creating a bigger lower bout. They look interesting and I'd really like to hear what moving the waist so far up sounds like.

Parker guitars

John

Was he involved with the design of these? I thought they came out after he sold to Washburn (US Music) he seems to currently be making archtop jazz guitars (very cool looking) Wow John sorry I did not answer the question.
Best, Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

John,
I haven’t actually played one of that modal but I did build something that closely resembles one. I might add that I designed and built this guitar before I knew about Parker guitars.

It has the larger lower bout but also is a 13 fret to body, placing the bridge a bit closer to center. The overall sound is punchy, emphasizing a mid-range voice.
It’s my favorite one to play, so far.

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I have not played one of Ken's new acoustic guitars but have played a number of his acoustics in the past. While he is known for his "Fly" electric guitars, I first met Ken back in the late seventies at Ponti's Music where he was the head repairman and I was just starting building. At that time he was building archtops for players such as Jim Hall and Ken's handmade guitars were really good sounding and excellent craftsmanship. At that time the other archtop builders in NY were Jimmie D'Aquisto and John Monteleone (who was building mainly mandolins).

Wade, the basic shape that Ken's guitar and yours are reminscent of is the "venetian cutaway" design that was built by Kay from around 1926 until the early 60's. Their two point venetian design was also used for mandolins as well. Kay instruments were sold under a number of names such as Groeschel, Stromberg, Kay Kraft, Kay, Kaywood, Lark, Kamico, Arch and Arch Kraft. Some of the cooler venetian models were the ones in which the headstock, fingerboard and pickguard were all done in mother of pearl celluloid. I collect instruments and have a mandolin, tenor guitar and guitar all in that venetian design although only one with the mother of pearl.

I believe Breedlove also does a venetian derivative design as well.

Interesting design.... not my cup of tea but I can see the attractiveness in it.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Bozo Podunavac did basically the same thing with his Bell Western design back in the sixties. See and hear. Here