How to Decode Your Parker Guitar Serial Number
Parker guitars are known for their innovative design and high-quality craftsmanship. But how can you tell when and where your Parker guitar was made? The answer lies in the serial number, which can reveal a lot of information about your instrument. Here's how to decode your Parker guitar serial number and learn more about your guitar's history.
Parker Fly
The Parker Fly is the flagship model of Parker guitars, introduced in 1993. The Fly has a unique serial number system that varies depending on the year of production. Here are the different formats for the Fly serial numbers:
Parker Guitar Serial Number Decoder
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Prior to 2003: Flys will have a six-digit code. The first three digits are the day of the year, the next two are the number in that day's production, and the last digit is the year. For example, 12345 means the 123rd day of the year, the 45th guitar made that day, and the year ending in 5 (1995, 2005, etc.)[^1^].
2003 - 2006: Both six- and seven-digit numbers were reportedly used. The first three digits are the day of the year, the next two are the number in that day's production, and the last digit (or two digits) designate the year. For example, 123456 means the 123rd day of the year, the 45th guitar made that day, and the year 2006[^1^]. Any doubts regarding the year of manufacture during this period can be cured by a quick examination of the control layout. It is regarded as a \"Refined Fly\" if it is 2003 or later.
After 2006: Flys [and NiteFlys] changed to a P followed by a seven-digit code. The first two digits are the year, the next two are the number of the month, the next two are the number of the day it was completed, and the last number is that day's production number. For example, P0706123 means July 6th, 2007, and the 23rd guitar made that day[^2^].
The following abbreviations for wood used on the guitar in question (included at the end of serial numbers before 2006, placed elsewhere on the headstock after 2006) should help with identification of the model. Neck wood is always listed first[^1^]:
B = Basswood
R = Redwood
P = Poplar
C = Cedar
MH = Mahogany
MA = Maple
SP = Sitka Spruce
SS = Sitka Spruce (the code was changed)
BN = Butternut
MM = Mahogany neck and body (Mojo)
Parker NiteFly
The Parker NiteFly is a bolt-on neck version of the Fly, introduced in 1996. The NiteFly uses a different system using either a five- or six-digit serial number. The first one or two digits show the month, the third is the last number in the year, and the last three digits show the number in that month's production. For example, 117123 means November 1997 and the 123rd guitar made that month[^2^]. See also the NiteFly History and Manual.
Parker Fly Bass
The Parker Fly Bass is a four- or five-string bass guitar model, introduced in 1999. The first Parker Fly basses (FB-4/5, Mojo) produced in Wilmington used a seven-digit serial number, of the scheme MMYYSSS, where MM = month, YY = year and SSS = production number that month. For example, 0101010 means January 2001 and the 10th bass made that month[^2^]. The six-digit serial number scheme was apparently adopted after the production was moved by USM to Vernon Hill in July 2003. These basses use a six-digit serial number where the first three digits 29c81ba772