Help me decide ...

[kiramdear]

I'm debating with myself about trading my '75 430 toward a used Parker Fly.

There's not a single thing about the 430 that I'm unhappy with. But that Parker is a truly sporty little beast. The sound of the pickups is the only thing about it I'm not completely sold on. The 430, on the other hand, has tone to die for and beau-coups mojo. But the Fly plays like greased lightning and is light as a feather.

AACK! I'm losing sleep about this! Help me out here!

[Ric-O-Buc]

Keep the Rick.

[JakeK]

Keep the Rick.

+1. Don't know anything about Parkers.

[kiramdear]

+1. Don't know anything about Parkers.

I'm worried about my hand and back these days. That's the main reason I'm considering it. If it were a car it would be a Maserati, and it weighs four pounds. Check out their website with your high speed connection, Jake. The styling does leave me a little flat but it plays like buttah.

[customxke]

Keep the Rick.

+1. Don't know anything about Parkers.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem like the best reason to keep the Rick.

Kira.....This probably won't be that popular of a sentiment here, but I always think its wise to add as many colors to your pallet as possible. You have some great Rickenbackers already. Is the 430 ever a "go to" guitar, or is it something you grab when bored with the others? I think Parkers are great tools. I don't like the way they look, but I think they're a fine instrument. If you like it, do it.

[kiramdear]

Thanks, Jonathan, I think you kinda nailed my position. The 430 is not my go-to and it weighs a lot, but it plays fine and has great tone. The Parker's tone is something completely different for me and the piezo option is way cool. Fortunately I have the option to live with it for a while and then decide. So we'll see, I may give it a trial. One thing is sure, though, I will miss my 430. The only question is how much. Wish I was wealthy and didn't have to choose!

[rickendelic]

You can always buy a Parker ,.. they don't make 1975 430's anymore. my 2 cents

[tennis_nick]

Keep the Rick.

+1. Don't know anything about Parkers.

Seems like a pretty terrible reason to recommend against something don't you think? It seems like "I've never heard of Prague, but I don't recommend you go there!"


Kira, go check out some Parkers, I've liked the ones I've played, but they're not for everyone. Give it a shot and if you think it'll fit in better than your 430 does, have at it!

[kiramdear]

Thanks for the help; you guys are all great. I think I'm starting to get a handle on this dilemma. Let me run down the considerations that have come to mind.

I have lived with the Parker in question for a few days and I am sold on Parkers in general for their playability and ergonomics. The downside is the styling and the very "different" sound of the mag pickups - it's hard to describe but they're very "flat" or "transparent" (very subjective terms I know) and I am not sure how they will fit my style. The piezo sound is pretty cool, however.

I'm already in love with my 430. It has great tone, it has "my" tone, and it's thin, fast, flat neck presents no real problems with my hand. And it has wonderful charisma. About the only thing that concerns me about it is the weight.

I'd still have to struggle to pay off the Parker, even with a trade in. And there's no real urgency about having a lighter, faster axe. It's not like I have a tour lined up this month. I'm contemplating a deal only because it's a possibility to do so. But as was pointed out, I can get one any time I'm ready.

So with all that in mind, I think the best way to go is to keep what I have and save my pennies for a Fly, unless the other party wants to throw me a wild card of some sort. I think that's the wisest course unless something changes radically, like my health or the ease with which I could acquire it.

[woodyng]

the parker kinda looks like prince's guitar--i think it's quite cool,and would love to check out the bass version. but the tone of my ricks is the reason i keep wanting to come back to them,so........

[kiramdear]

Yeah, Woody, I'm with you on that. It would pain me greatly to say goodbye to the sound of my 430's hi-gains. It's a tone which is totally worthy of Keith Richard and some of my other Seventies' idols, just to try to describe it. But the Fly is a big question mark in that respect.

[johneek]

Tough call Kira....I love RICs, but I appreciate variety too. I've never played a Parker, but I've heard them live and was amazed.

While all of us can offer advice, the answer is inside you, not us. My only counsel is to try to get at the honest reason you're thinking about this swap, and why the 430 instead of another guitar. Good luck....

[kiramdear]

Thanks, John. I think I'm pretty much settled that I want a Fly but not enough to give up what I've already got. I think I'm just going to bide my time and save up for one. The prices for used ones aren't that high that I won't be able to swing it someday. That's what my heart tells me to do.

[longhouse]

While I'm deeply entrenched in the 'keep the Ric!' camp, I admire the radical construction ethic of the Fly. Visually they just lack all appeal for me. Comparing a Rickenbacker to a Fly is like comparing a Bugatti to a Camry.

Still, the Fly is not without its A-list endorsers. Here's Joni Mitchell playing beautifully on hers (not as bombastic as other Fly guys such as Reeves Gabrels):

[kiramdear]

Cool, Noel! Thank you so much for that vid. I adore Joni!

And I think hers is the model (Bronze Fly) I'd really like to get eventually. That's what started me gassing for one in the first place - the idea of an acoustic guitar alternative. The mag pickup ones just don't inspire me with their tone which I find colorless. Of course, she's got her Korg midi gizmo tacked on there too, which is another thousand plus on the price tag. But even without it, the Fly's piezo system sounds pretty darn sweet to my ear. I think that's the way we'll go when the time comes.