How about a NAMM preview?

[mountaindewaddict]

Hey Parker folks (BillyT, Ryan, etc.), any chance we loyal forum-ites could get a heads-up about what to expect from Parker in 2013 before the show?  I'll be checking Premier Guitar's site often, hoping for some Parker goodness.  At one point toward the end of last year, there was a tease on one thread about some cool new stuff coming (an S3?), but I was hoping for more.

Just wondering....

[Paul Marossy]

I have a chance to go to NAMM this year, but I have so many things going on around that time that I don't think I can get them all rescheduled. 

Next year I will make it a point to get over there!

[Nefarius]

I really don't like that "zombie mode" Parker currently seems to be in.

Even with a lot of sympathy and understanding for troubles during the move to Buffalo Grove it's been promises and reassurances that things are looking up and great things are on their way for over a year. Yet so far none of that could be seen, not even from afar. Since I joined here I've really come to like the product, the brand, and the people involved, although I don't really know anyone in person. But right now it's getting harder and harder to ignore the symptoms.

Posts and replies from Parker employees got from few to scarce to downright rare. The number of serious quality issues from high end to low end models seem to be ever increasing with repair times beyond six months for some customers while others interested in new models literally have to wait for a year or more with almost no updates, delivery dates pushed back, and still no guitar in their hands, or even worse, guitars in such bad shape that they have to send them back right away.

Is this "zombie mode" a brand waiting for a slow death as part of a big company about to have a Parkerectomy done or is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
Is all that frustrating silence just corporate censorship or people working their asses off to get back on track?

I would really like having Parker around for many years to come.

Greetings from a concerned customer...
Nef

[jd84mc884qb]

We will be introducing several new models at NAMM this year. 3 are currently on the site, the PDF30 & PDF35 are entry level Parkers and the lowest prices we've ever offered. The PDF35 features the Ghost piezo system. Also new is the DF724KOA - Alder with a Koa top. We also post regularly to Facebook, typically new or custom guitars coming off the bench. A recent post was a solid flame maple DF722 body which will be fitted with a solid rosewood neck. Another new model which will post to the site within the next few days is the DF523SA.

Here are the 30, 35, & 724KOA:
http://www.parkerguitars.com/PDF-Series/

http://www.parkerguitars.com/MaxxFly-Radial-Neck-Joint-Models/
The Koa is the bottom picture in the 724 section.

[simeon]

the Koa is very tasty

[Tectonix]

I really don't like that "zombie mode" Parker currently seems to be in.
I would really like having Parker around for many years to come.

Greetings from a concerned customer...
Nef

I am thinking that a lot of forum members share your concern. I certainly do.

A few months ago, I lit up pretty hard on ryanoryan and when I posted my comment, I left the forum for a long time after that posting. Jamm Industries just jammed him between a rock and a hard spot to take flack, but now I see where he is the Almost Lone Ranger of the helpful set working for the corporation.

Eventually, though, thinking of the good forum members, I started coming back in to do my part to Keep The Fly Alive. Guys like you, Nef, have been here a lot longer than me and Id really hate to see that crowd thinned out.

It looks like we are getting some posting on the new models while I've been posting so I will sign off for now.

[lucgravely]

We will be introducing several new models at NAMM this year. 3 are currently on the site, the PDF30 & PDF35 are entry level Parkers and the lowest prices we've ever offered. The PDF35 features the Ghost piezo system. Also new is the DF724KOA - Alder with a Koa top. We also post regularly to Facebook, typically new or custom guitars coming off the bench. A recent post was a solid flame maple DF722 body which will be fitted with a solid rosewood neck. Another new model which will post to the site within the next few days is the DF523SA.

Here are the 30, 35, & 724KOA:
http://www.parkerguitars.com/PDF-Series/

http://www.parkerguitars.com/MaxxFly-Radial-Neck-Joint-Models/
The Koa is the bottom picture in the 724 section.

that list also shows the DF523 at the bottom.

I have noticed Parker using Facebook as their method of choice for posting. I like/prefer that. I don't think it's required of them to post daily here in the forum. But it shows good customer service when the tackle issues when they arise on the forum.

What I don't understand is the long waits and times for new guitars and repairs. Maybe someone who has toured could explain why. Are the some personnel making other branded guitars at the same time? Maybe that could explain some things.

Anyway I hope the Parker brand stays alive. It is by far the best playing guitar ever created and my favorite guitar(s) I've owned. I hope they are around long enough for me to order a few more. The DF523 is totally my next guitar if they hang in there a few more years.

[Paul Marossy]

What I don't understand is the long waits and times for new guitars and repairs. Maybe someone who has toured could explain why. Are the some personnel making other branded guitars at the same time? Maybe that could explain some things.

I also wonder about that. Sounds like this could be the case. Companies seem to always try to make their employees wear as many different hats as possible, especially these days where "you're lucky to even have a job".

[billy]

I think it has for sure been a tough year, there's always unanticipated issues with a move. 

And there's many brands under the jamm/usm umbrella.  Not sure employees are split up by brand but I'm pretty sure they indeed wear many hats.

Pure speculation on my part, but I think there has been much pressure to get margins a little higher and production numbers a little higher with the entry level models by going to China.  This likely means lots of time spent overseas by upper level people to try to get things under control.  I know from my own experience it can be a tough nut and when there's pressure to reduce costs, it gets that much tougher.   

If indeed USM/Jamm is looking to do a Parker-otomy, I hope they would be willing to sell the brand and not just bury it or raid it to support other brands.  I know if I had some $$ backing I'd love to buy it if it were for sale.

[billy]

BTW Really excited about the pdf 35/30- 

almost exactly what I would like for a DF842 custom, barring wood choices..! 

Not as interested in the entry level stuff but might get one just to work things out for a custom, with fingers double-crossed.

[Paul Marossy]

If indeed USM/Jamm is looking to do a Parker-otomy, I hope they would be willing to sell the brand and not just bury it or raid it to support other brands.  I know if I had some $$ backing I'd love to buy it if it were for sale.

Yeah, there's an idea. Then you could have four or five robots doing all the work 24/7/365 and really maximize the profit after the initial investment of $125,000 or so in the robots is paid off. 

[Nefarius]

Please don't get me wrong! It was not my intent to start any rumours about the future of the brand. I don't have a single shred of background information. I was only following up on my own train of thought fueled by the lack of news and the perceived increase in problems regarding quality and availability.

As one of the few people (especially being an IT guy myself) who isn't using any of the social networks I was not aware of new models and related information being released via facebook. Nice to see so much going on there. Then again that's not what I meant with the lack of Parker posts, although it is what this post originally is about.

What I miss is "inside" news. Are all the move-related issues sorted out? Is everyone settled in and happy with the new facilities? Any experiments in wood combinations, components, or construction? Other innovation sparks? That's the kind of guitar geek stuff and Parker Porn I'm never getting enough of! Maybe I'm alone with wanting more of that. But since the inception of my custom and the team signing the electronics cover I'm really interested in news about the people who build our favorite guitars and basses.

By the way the DF523SA in the 2013 catalog and on the website looks great!

Greetings...
Nef

[billy]

Totally agree with Nef~!  I'm also not using social networking so I may be missing some great things, esp inside news.

I actually think the brand is doing fine all things considered and will continue to do better, but just in case there's thoughts of sacking and pillaging by Jamm/USM...  keep me in mind!    

Paul-  sarcasm is a great way to get to the bottom of the custom list...

More seriously, I doubt you can buy robots for $125K that are capable of doing this kind of work.  But I do think there's a lot that could be done with a handful of people, a few machines, and the right kind of overhead and customer service/marketing support.  There's a number of small guitar companies doing great high end work right now.  Very encouraging.

[Paul Marossy]

Wasn't trying to be sarcastic, but I guess it came across that way. I see a lot of people here where I live being taken advantage of because the economy gives employers the excuse. I saw on 60 Minutes a few weeks about these robots you can get for like 26K each. But they probably are not up to the task...

[billy]

Just teasing you, those smilies did their job.

I hear you on the work force thing...  Could go on a big tangent here but will leave it that I am optimistic, even if the road is bumpy in the near term.  Things often get better because of problems rather than in spite of them.

Btw good luck on your pedal endeavor!