As a Parker fan, I can't believe I'm posting this, but it's about my recent experience with the Parker PJ14. Die hard Parker fans might want to click to somewhere else, because this will not be good reading [V]...
The Good.Without a doubt Ken Parker is a brilliant instrument designer. Guitars like the Fly are top notch. I absolutely LOVE the newer PJ12, 14 and 24 architecture. I wanted one when they came out.
The Bad.When I saw the +3K price for the PJ12 & PJ14, I paused. After nearly two years of contemplating, and never actually trying one out, I bought a PJ14 from Sweetwater. I got the guitar, and briefly played it. I also looked inside and saw the words "Assembled in China". Four days later I returned it for a refund. Whatever "marketing professional" set the pricing for this guitar at US Music should be demoted or fired.[

!] NO guitar from China (@ 20 cents/hour labor) should ever cost +3K. PERIOD. [xx(] I returned it to Sweetwater because I felt completely scammed.[

] The level of build quality on a PJ14 is similar to the Ibanez Artcore series (under $400) or an Epiphone Emperor Regent (under $700). Shame on you US Music. We are not idiots about the real cost, and quality, of products coming from China.
The REALLY Ugly.There were some nice components on the PJ14, but just about everything else screamed cheap. The dental floss wiring, uneven frets, off-center bridge and plain Jane wood is unacceptable in the +3K price range. Frets 1, 2, & 3 on the E and B strings would not stop buzzing regardless of the bridge and truss rod tweaking (twisted neck?). Very frustrating. The Parker name will not justify the price if the product is crap. Shame on you US Music. [

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The Lesson.Rudy, this guitar could have been a hit, but somebody in your organization fumbled the ball. [

] Very poor brand management. The pricing is way off. The Parker name has been dragged through the mud on this mistake. It's a darn shame.
HELPFUL HINT: The market is in dire need of an innovative archtop guitar and brand in the $1200 to $1700 price range. The Parker PJ series has the potential to be in this range (NOT 2K or 3K!). If you guys can get your poop in a group with the pricing, and a product re-launch, the market is yours to own.[

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Thanks for reading.
Ben Scott
ps. - Somebody at Parker needs to respond to this posting and let everybody know what you guys could possibly be thinking for price setting on the PJ series.