As a former Parker dealer (funny, we are still shown as a dealer on the Parker website, though we've been closed for over a year...), I had my concerns when they changed over from the P series to the PDF. With Jam buying US Music, the writing was on the wall that the products where going to be "tweaked". Most all "brands" chase around from mfg to mfg in Asia, to whoever gives them the best prices. When Samick was manufacturing the majority of the imported guitars, they were great! Then with the US dollar taking a dive, they first transitioned to Samick's Indonesia plant, and then all ran to China to set up shop with whoever was the low bidder. I watched the quality of the guitars get worst and worst over the years, and finally just threw my hands up in the air and said "I give up"! Plus as one of the earlier posts, having people come in, jam around on my guitars, and then order one up off the internet. I'd usually hear how "gesh, I bought that same guitar from MF for $40 less, but it doesn't play as good as the one you have... an you fix mine?" The next words were usually "Oh, as a Parker dealer, can't you fix this under warrenty???" Well first, it's not a warrenty issue, it's a set-up issue. I would spend my time getting my guitars tweaked prior to hitting the wall. My advise would be they probably need a good set-up. So of course the next question is "how much?" $60, and plus the cost of strings. Of course they would argue the strings are fine, and I'd tell them that if they want it to sound like the guitar in my shop, you have to change out the strings. I mean, who knows how long they've been on that guitar. Of course then I'd get "but that's $20 more then if I bought it from you!". Ya, and I didn't make a dime on the sale, so you will pay my normal set-up fee.
Guys, please support your local shops, as they are the guys that can make your guitars sing.
BTW: I love my Parker P44 and PB-41 bass. They play as nice as any of the US made models, but then again... I set them up!
