Parker PDF80 in route...[make that a PDF100]

  • I bought a Tele in '91 and have loved set bridge guitars ever since. I picked up an American Standard strat earlier this year, but just couldn't bond with the Trem. After playing a high end Parker a few days ago, I've decided I really, really need a guitar with a trem and I loved the light weight and body carve so I looked up the more affordable line and got a good price on a PDF80. It's a honey burst like the below pic. I've long been intrigued by Parkers but was never in love with the upper horn design, the new "MaxxFly" look still has that futuristic vibe but seems more practical/comfortable. Of course you give up a lot of what made a Parker a Parker (no carbon fiber), but looking forward to it anyway. Anyone have one of the PDF Parkers?


    Catalog pic:


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    Edited once, last by Will_Chen: updated info ().

  • Very nice guitar, congrats.
    I'm GASsing for a PDF85 since a while. No chance to check one out in person.
    How is the neck profile and the weight?


    No idea, it's in route. I took a gamble and ordered online. From what I've heard these tend to be in the 6 pound range and a guy who has both a PDF and DF at the Parker forum said they're comparable though lack the SS frets of the high end stuff. I considered the PDF85, but I don't really think I'd use the piezo option. If the PDF80 is anywhere near the USA Parker I recently played, I'll be very happy. Should be here early next week, I'll post back.


  • How is the neck profile and the weight?


    Neck is between medium and slim. Weight is 3kg.
    Negative: Build quality is far far away from US Parker Guitars. Cheapo electric, loose connections everywhere. Piezo toggle broken apart. It's a shame.
    Positive: Looks great, is very ergonomic, no dead spots, great sustain, low action, no rattle.


    As always: You'll get what you pay for.


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    Edited once, last by JoeBlob: more pix ().

  • Wow, switch broke right off? Hopefully I'll have a better experience than you. I got a PRS SE which was darn near perfect from a build perspective in a similar price range and I'm hoping for that here too.

  • Well, the PDF80 didn't work out for me. Mainly just a picky thing in that the top just wasn't fugured very much and there was zero attempt to bookmatch it. So I stepped up a notch to the PDF100 and...WOWZA! Fantastic axe.
    Below is the catalog pic from Sweetwater of the actual guitar I received. It's actually even better looking in person. Weighs around 6 pounds and is a super comfortable and solid all around. Only flaw is a small spot near the nut which is feels just slightly rough compared with the rest of the neck, easy fix with some ultra fine grade sandpaper. I've not had a "shredder" since I was a teenager nearly 20 years ago and thought I didn't like thin necks, but this guitar is incredibly comfortable to play. Loving it.


    [Blocked Image: http://www.sweetwater.com/images/guitars/PDF100QVSB/110706284/110706284-body-l.jpg]

  • Wow, I'm very infected by the PDFs, too. And I'm a crucial guitar modder - so I'll take another close look to these models in spite of the cheap patzs.
    The one with the quilted top looks extraordinary great!!!

  • Wow, I'm very infected by the PDFs, too. And I'm a crucial guitar modder - so I'll take another close look to these models in spite of the cheap patzs.
    The one with the quilted top looks extraordinary great!!!


    A huge benefit to modders is the control cavity on these are all large enough to fit all the piezo preamp stuff, so you have ample space to add switches galore if desired. I'm planning to eventually mount a Roland GK kit in mine, but it's going to be a while before I get around to it. They already include a push/pull tone pot to split pickups. On the PDF100, you get Sperzel tuners and Seymour Duncan pickups, so there's very little in the way of cheap parts other than perhaps the switch and pots.

  • A huge benefit to modders is the control cavity on these are all large enough to fit all the piezo preamp stuff, so you have ample space to add switches galore if desired. I'm planning to eventually mount a Roland GK kit in mine, but it's going to be a while before I get around to it. They already include a push/pull tone pot to split pickups. On the PDF100, you get Sperzel tuners and Seymour Duncan pickups, so there's very little in the way of cheap parts other than perhaps the switch and pots.

    Thanks for the modding hints! :thumbup:
    Unfortunately I'm not a friend of Seymour Duncan pickups, only the Pearly Gates PUs I'd give a high ranking. I own several SD-pickups cause I bought guitars equipped with these but I modded them out to my cheaper guitars. I do not say that SD-pickups are cheap stuff, but I'd mod them outa the Parker. I know the SDs got a huge fan-club but I play mostly for the DiMarzio-Team! :D

  • Thanks for the modding hints! :thumbup:
    Unfortunately I'm not a friend of Seymour Duncan pickups, only the Pearly Gates PUs I'd give a high ranking. I own several SD-pickups cause I bought guitars equipped with these but I modded them out to my cheaper guitars. I do not say that SD-pickups are cheap stuff, but I'd mod them outa the Parker. I know the SDs got a huge fan-club but I play mostly for the DiMarzio-Team! :D


    I don't follow any type of pickup religion, if it sound good it is and these Duncans are working for me for now (and likely the longer term). Only ever played Dimarzios in passing.

  • I'm not in a "Pickup-religion", it's the ear that decides. Therefore I kicked the Duncans in most cases, therefore I got several Dimarzios. I'm also a great fan of Fender N3 and Parker Stingers and last but not least the Attila Zoller pickups of Shadow.