Podcast 170: Ken Parker

On this week’s podcast, we check in with legendary guitarmaker
Ken Parker. The archtop creations that Parker has built over the
last decade are truly works of art (in fact, one example is in
the permanent collection of the Met). Parker was the subject of a
mammoth two-part Fretboard Journal feature in both the FJ #38 and
FJ #39, penned by author Joseph Skibell. On this week’s podcast,
we catch up and hear about some of this builder’s more recent
developments. He tells us about the importance of hide glue in
his instruments; we learn about a new pickup he’s using that was
developed by Bob Palmieri; and we hear about his recent
acquisition of some wood from the famed “The Tree” and what he
plans to do with it. 



This week’s episode is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars.