Ken Parker, a legendary guitar maker known for his design for the Parker Fly, has died.
He was 73.
His death came just days after he revealed via a GoFundMe that he was battling cancer.
“I’ve been building guitars for as long as I can remember,” Parker wrote in that post. “Throughout my life, I’ve done something that I love and am proud of — making guitars that advance the art, science and craft of building far beyond traditional methods. Most importantly, it has been a true joy and especially gratifying experience to see my guitars in the hands of all of you gifted and aspiring players, and I thank you for that opportunity.”
That is when he got into his fight.
“In early 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has slowly been debilitating me,” he wrote. “It hasn’t been easy living with this nasty disease, having chemo treatments that zapped my energy and slowly took away my ability to earn a living. Now, I’m on a breathing machine 24/7 and I’ve started to lose the use of my left arm. I humbly ask for your support to reduce the medical and personal debt that I’ve incurred and to help with my family’s expenses. I know times are tough for all of us and I sincerely thank you for any support that you can offer.”
The GoFundMe has raised more than $140,000.
A follow-up post noted that he “passed away peacefully at his home in Gloucester, MA on October 5, 2025 with Susan Kolwicz by his side.”
A statement shared by Parker to his Ken Parker Archtops site thanked fans for their support and said the company would continue on with Sam Krimmel.
“My time here is about to close down and I won’t be part of the show anymore,” he wrote. “What I have done with all my heart and soul is to put together a situation where my work can continue unabated and begin to bring some serious fruit to the things that I’ve been working on for the last 50 years. My deepest and heartfelt thanks to all of you. It’s been the experience of my lifetime being able to share my life’s work and knowledge with each of you through my instruments and via Archtoppery, and see that you get it.
“My hope is that you all build on what I’ve learned and shared, and take everything to the next level.”
Musicradar.com said that the Parker Fly was launched in 1993 and featured a wooden body with a carbon fiber and epoxy exoskeleton. The site noted that the guitar also had “a double-cutaway shape that still feels cutting-edge with its minimalist six-in-line headstock and trademark horns.”
The site said the guitar’s “futuristic profile” made it a favorite of the likes of Eddie Van Halen and Joni Mitchell.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.pennlive.com ’
