I purchased a Parker Fly 5-string around two years ago now. I have strung it E-C and use it extensively for smaller jazz combos (trios/quartets) where the bass perhaps "normally" would be an upright bass. However, with the extremely responsive design of this bass, the ultra stable neck that allows whatever action I like, and with the fantastic piezo implementation on this bass, it works fantastic in this setting. Steve Swallow is a huge inspiration for electric bass in this type of setting, and I usually use only the piezo pickups. I vary the attack from anywhere from over the fretboard and back to the rear pickup, and I use a lot of palm muting as well.
I think one of the key design elements of the electronics that makes this bass so versatile for me, is that the magnetic and piezo circuits are independent of each other. There's a tone and volume control on the piezo, and a two band eq and a volume control for the magnetic pickups, as well as a master volume for the entire mix. It's perhaps a little fiddly for some, but when you get used to it, it's super powerful. It allows me to dial in the perfect tone for both magnetic and piezo pickups, and then blend them freely. And then I can control the overall volume of the final mix. Especially the separate tone control for the piezo is important, as basses that don't have them tend to get harsh (in my ears, at least). The piezo seems to require a different eq-setting than the magnetic pickups, and being able to adjust them independently is crucial.
I have yet to find another electric bass that can do what the Parker Fly can do for me, and I'm extremely happy that I found this bass at a reasonable price. I baby it quite a lot and hope that it will never give up on me.... as the brand has now disappeared and the Fly basses are going up in price, and replacement parts are probably hard to impossible to find, especially should the electronics get fried.
The only bass that I have found the somewhat captures the same vibe, is the Ltd TL-4 (by ESP), which is a somewhat different design. It captures the sound, but not the ergonomics, which I also happen to be very fond of. I know that many consider the upper horn a turn off, but to me, the shape of the bass, including the horn, is just super comfortable, especially when playing sitting down (which I do 90% of the time). And with the light weight it's no problem standing for any length of time, either. I don't find it hard to find a similarly comfortable playing position standing up, but I prefer sitting down if I can.
I also have an early Ibanez Affirma bass, which nails the piezo-sound quite well, however, it has no separate piezo/magnetic tone shaping possibilities. Which means that whenever you change the mix (using a blend control, which I feel is less optimal), you also have to start adjusting the eq... which is a downside.
So... bottom line, to me the Parker Fly is a gem and I can't ever see myself parting with it.
Anyone else have a similar love relationship with the Parker Fly?
Or has found a bass that can do the same tricks as the Parker can?
I'd love to learn about other successful piezo implementations... so I can continue my piezo jazz combo work should the Fly ever fail me (which I hope it never does).
I think one of the key design elements of the electronics that makes this bass so versatile for me, is that the magnetic and piezo circuits are independent of each other. There's a tone and volume control on the piezo, and a two band eq and a volume control for the magnetic pickups, as well as a master volume for the entire mix. It's perhaps a little fiddly for some, but when you get used to it, it's super powerful. It allows me to dial in the perfect tone for both magnetic and piezo pickups, and then blend them freely. And then I can control the overall volume of the final mix. Especially the separate tone control for the piezo is important, as basses that don't have them tend to get harsh (in my ears, at least). The piezo seems to require a different eq-setting than the magnetic pickups, and being able to adjust them independently is crucial.
I have yet to find another electric bass that can do what the Parker Fly can do for me, and I'm extremely happy that I found this bass at a reasonable price. I baby it quite a lot and hope that it will never give up on me.... as the brand has now disappeared and the Fly basses are going up in price, and replacement parts are probably hard to impossible to find, especially should the electronics get fried.
The only bass that I have found the somewhat captures the same vibe, is the Ltd TL-4 (by ESP), which is a somewhat different design. It captures the sound, but not the ergonomics, which I also happen to be very fond of. I know that many consider the upper horn a turn off, but to me, the shape of the bass, including the horn, is just super comfortable, especially when playing sitting down (which I do 90% of the time). And with the light weight it's no problem standing for any length of time, either. I don't find it hard to find a similarly comfortable playing position standing up, but I prefer sitting down if I can.
I also have an early Ibanez Affirma bass, which nails the piezo-sound quite well, however, it has no separate piezo/magnetic tone shaping possibilities. Which means that whenever you change the mix (using a blend control, which I feel is less optimal), you also have to start adjusting the eq... which is a downside.
So... bottom line, to me the Parker Fly is a gem and I can't ever see myself parting with it.
Anyone else have a similar love relationship with the Parker Fly?
Or has found a bass that can do the same tricks as the Parker can?
I'd love to learn about other successful piezo implementations... so I can continue my piezo jazz combo work should the Fly ever fail me (which I hope it never does).
Yes, I was lucky... I know 
