the Fly Clone Project

Hey Parkerheads,

I have an opportunity on a fly supreme from 1997 for 2k5ish and I’d like to know whether the price is fair or not. Thanks in advance !

More pics below

@KenanJ Assuming there are no issues, that's a decent price, even with the original knobs having been replaced. For me, it's a matter of whether you specifically want a Supreme, and if there are any non-Supreme Flys you could get for a better price.

*I* would buy that for $2500 and I'm not even in a buying place.
So you know you are in the quick sale price range.

If none of the electronics are stock I might even be more interested.

@mmmguitar i got on the phone with the guy he’s a local luthier from a village in France he assured me electronics and frets are okay I told him the knobs were not stock he said he had no clue that previous owner modified but I assured him it’s been modified. The only little concern I have is the holes from a previous Roland gk3 I assume this can’t be fixed ?

@mmmguitar i think the supreme look super cool with the wood nuances but I never saw this weird ocean burst so I guess it’s faith … lol

And regarding the knobs I saw @vjmanzo sourced some replacement but I never saw any feedback on the forum do you got any feedback on that ?

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:38 pm The only little concern I have is the holes from a previous Roland gk3 I assume this can’t be fixed ?

They're two small wood screw holes which can be cheaply filled and touched over with a similarly-colored dye from a permanent marker, acrylic nail polish, automotive paint touch-up pen, CA glue tinted with ink, etc. That said, I and @jb63 would likely use it as license to put a new GK pickup on.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:09 pm

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:38 pm The only little concern I have is the holes from a previous Roland gk3 I assume this can’t be fixed ?

They're two small wood screw holes which can be cheaply filled and touched over with a similarly-colored dye from a permanent marker, acrylic nail polish, automotive paint touch-up pen, CA glue tinted with ink, etc. That said, I and @jb63 would likely use it as license to put a new GK pickup on.

I never search that much about gk3 is it interesting to have ? I saw I can be super protuberant on the body. Am I missing something ?

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:19 pm I never search that much about gk3 is it interesting to have ? I saw I can be super protuberant on the body. Am I missing something ?

It's a hexaphonic pickup which feeds outboard processing gear such as synthesizers and digital modelers of guitars, pickups, and alternate tunings (some players are into that stuff). The "protuberant" GK3 you're referring to is the "external" version (circuitry contained in a control box). You can install internal versions - But the internal space constraints of Ken-era Fly electronics assemblies make such installations difficult. Roland is up to the GK5 iteration, now; and the footprint of the hex pickup is similar enough that it can be retrofitted. I hope to post a thread about such a project in 2025 (The release of the Roland product I've been waiting on has been delayed until then).

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:39 pm It's a hexaphonic pickup which feeds outboard processing gear such as synthesizers and digital modelers of guitars, pickups, and alternate tunings (some players are into that stuff). The "protuberant" GK3 you're referring to is the "external" version (circuitry contained in a control box). You can install internal versions - But the internal space constraints of Ken-era Fly electronics assemblies make such installations difficult. Roland is up to the GK5 iteration, now; and the footprint of the hex pickup is similar enough that it can be retrofitted. I hope to post a thread about such a project in 2025 (The release of the Roland product I've been waiting on has been delayed until then).

Man you’re such an encyclopedia I feel ashamed to steel the knowledge lol. I wish I could now as well. Being new to parkers there is so much to explore. Feels like a whole another guitar world

Some more shots I got right now

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:41 pm Man you’re such an encyclopedia I feel ashamed to steel the knowledge lol

I only know about these things because I've spent so much money on guitar toys over the years - I wish the schooling had been cheaper!

From the cavity that looks clean

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:48 pm From the cavity that looks clean

Pristine, even! If you buy it, make sure the nuts for the potentiometers under those replacement knobs are still fastened down good and tight - It would be a shame if a pot rotated and tore any of those connections.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:54 pm

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:48 pm From the cavity that looks clean

Pristine, even! If you buy it, make sure the nuts for the potentiometers under those replacement knobs are still fastened down good and tight - It would be a shame if a pot rotated and tore any of those connections.

Like you meant make sure the knobs are really clipped to the pot shaft ?
I think I’ll pull the trigger and keep you guys updated …

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:57 pm Like you meant make sure the knobs are really clipped to the pot shaft ?

I mean, just make sure that whoever replaced the knobs didn't leave the nuts for the potentiometer shafts loose. Because it can spell disaster for those old flex PCBs which have grown brittle with age, it's a small maintenance detail to be mindful of when buying a Ken-era Fly.

I'll reserve my congratulations for when you've confirmed the purchase. In case it isn't obvious, jb63 and myself were excited to see this guitar.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 5:00 pm

KenanJ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:57 pm Like you meant make sure the knobs are really clipped to the pot shaft ?

I mean, just make sure that whoever replaced the knobs didn't leave the nuts for the potentiometer shafts loose. Because it can spell disaster for those old flex PCBs which have grown brittle with age, it's a small maintenance detail to be mindful of when buying a Ken-era Fly.

I'll reserve my congratulations for when you've confirmed the purchase. In case it isn't obvious, jb63 and myself were excited to see this guitar.

Oh you meant the washes underneath ? I see. I send you shots when it arrives home …

Final price is 2500 + 50 shipping I’ll let you guys know Let’s pray the parker gods it arrives safe

@jb63 @mmmguitar
Guys the beauty arrived today. Package was absolutely shit but the hard case did a wonderful job thanks for that !
The condition is… I don’t know what to say except the metal knobs that are shit, is pristine like for a 97 instrument it’s out of this world. The stacked metal knobs is actually pretty good looking. There were all the papers in the hard case. The guitar was actually bought up by a Swiss guy from a shot in Seattle in 2017 and then I bought from this Swiss guy that relocated to France. I’ll poste some shots below after I put a fresh set of nines. I will try to get some shit under the sunlight when I can.
Cheers