Ken Parker Custom Arch Top Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1991), original black tolex hard shell case.

Ken Parker Custom Model Arch Top Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1991), made in New York, natural finish, maple back and rims, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case. Ken Parker is renowned as one of the 20th century's maverick guitar wizards, and this instrument is one of his always unique and interesting early creations. Built in 1991, this thinline arch-top electric predates Parker's iconic Fly solid body and the acoustic arch-top guitars he hand builds today, but is in some ways reminiscent of both. The instantly recognizable Parker headstock is the immediate giveaway of this guitar's parentage, but there are many other unique elements to the design. The top and back are beautifully hand carved, but this is definitely an electric guitar -- there is a center block in the body extending from the heel to under the bridge and the acoustic properties are secondary to electric performance. The neck heel is offset and cut away where the fingerboard joins the body, allowing much improved fingerboard access. The solid spruce top has a deep sloping arch, but the rim is very thin; the fingerboard is not floating, but mounted solidly above it. The unusual sound holes are located near the edges of the top. The adjustable rosewood bridge contains an internal pickup unit that augments the neck-position humbucker set up with a simple volume/tone rig. The tuners are Sperzel locking machines and the metal tailpiece is an early version of the model Parker still uses today. The back is lovely curly maple with a very pronounced tight-grain figure. The instrument is hand-signed and dated by Ken Parker on the back. Exceptionally ergonomic, this is a really special and fascinating guitar unlike anything else vintage or modern.Overall length is 43 1/16 in. (109.4 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). All original, but showing some play wear, most notably a spot of pickwear through the finish into the wood just below the strings, and wear to the back of the neck. Other than this, clean overall and an extremely fine-playing instrument. Excellent - Condition.