Bruce Foreman’s Extensive Demo of Ken Parker Archtop

[Navdeep_Singh]

In memory of Ken Parker, Bruce spends a few minutes demoing a guitar made by KP named “Lucky” that is visiting him. Somehow, Ken’s archtops “visited” many players, most likely all of them couldn’t afford it. Which begs the question: does anyone own Ken’s archtops? I’ve never seen anyone gig with one.

Good stuff about the special magnetic pickup made by someone named Bob Palmeiri. I may contact him for another gutiar, a very special Eric Solomon. Which I would put up against ANY acoustic arch top in the world.

[FourOnSix]

This video has been on YouTube for several years. Bruce doesn't currently have possession of Lucky.

I do know someone who owns and regularly gigs with a Ken Parker archtop. Even outdoor gigs.

[joe2758]

I wonder if Bruce still has Barny's guitar. If so, does anyone know if he gigs with it?

[zephyrregent]

I wonder if Bruce still has Barny's guitar. If so, does anyone know if he gigs with it?

I read that he retired it from performance and is using a red Archtop Tribute ATC350BK copy. They get good reviews in comparison with Gibson originals, some players even preferring them.

[Jim Soloway]

In memory of Ken Parker, Bruce spends a few minutes demoing a guitar made by KP named “Lucky” that is visiting him. Somehow, Ken’s archtops “visited” many players, most likely all of them couldn’t afford it. Which begs the question: does anyone own Ken’s archtops? I’ve never seen anyone gig with one.

Good stuff about the special magnetic pickup made by someone named Bob Palmeiri. I may contact him for another gutiar, a very special Eric Solomon. Which I would put up against ANY acoustic arch top in the world.

I know several people who own them.

[andrew]

Good stuff about the special magnetic pickup made by someone named Bob Palmeiri. I may contact him for another gutiar.

I know Bob. He’s a mad scientist in the best possible way like Ken was. The two of them went way back and Bob worked on parts of the original Parker Fly with Ken. He has a company called Duneland Labs that sells those bronzeville pickups as well as a crazy PAF looking pickup that has 17 different magnets in it!

Bob is also a monster guitar player.

[Gitterbug]

Elden Kelly made several demos in 2024 using at least the "Frankentop" nylon-string archtop. They made it to Ken Parker's pages and YouTube. Apparently, Ken and Elden were close. No idea about the instrument(s') whereabouts.

It would be interesting to know where jazz purists place Elden, whose virtuosity is beyond any doubt. His instruments and musical influences range from America to Middle East. There's also (too much?) showmanship and crowd-pleasing involved, reminding me of Eddie Peabody and other virtuosos of the past. I've been fortunate to supply Elden with omnidirectional, full range speaker cabinets.

PS Elden visited Ken two weeks before Ken's passing away. He has described their relationship at length on his FB pages.