Ken Parker – iconic luthier behind the groundbreaking Parker Fly – has died at 73
Ken Parker – legendary luthier and creator of the Parker Fly – has died aged 73, days after launching a GoFundMe to help pay for his cancer treatment.
A statement on Parker’s website confirms he passed away peacefully at his home in Gloucester, MA on October 5, 2025, with his life companion Susan Kolwicz by his side.
Ken Parker recently announced his retirement from luthiery, after revealing he was diagnosed with cancer in early 2023, and that the illness steadily eroded his ability to work.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
Reflecting on his career, Parker added, “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.”
In a YouTube video posted earlier this week, Parker revealed he’d been spending much of the past year passing on his knowledge and expertise to his colleague Sam Krimmel.
“Sam has this gift which feels remarkably similar to the gift that I feel that I have that’s allowed me to do my work,” he said. “I’ve never had a deeper and more interesting work relationship on a daily basis than I have with Sam, and we work together very, very well.”
Born August 25, 1952, Ken Parker built his first guitar from wood and cardboard aged just 13, and later an electric bass for his brother Alan.
In the early ‘70s, Parker moved to Rochester, NY, to work with furniture maker Richard Newman, where he designed his first archtop guitar. He later began working at Stuyvesant Music on instruments for a number of high-profile musicians.
Parker opened his own shop in Connecticut in 1983, working with stringed instruments including violins, cellos, Renaissance lutes and vintage and contemporary guitars.
1990 saw the launch of Parker Guitars – co-founded by both Ken Parker and Larry Fishman. The brand would later launch the iconic Parker Fly in 1993, a radically innovative electric guitar featuring a composite material body and a hybrid pickup system.
Perhaps one of the most high-profile endorsees of the Parker Fly was former King Crimson man Adrian Belew, who had his own signature model.
Ken Parker’s GoFundMe is still active at the time of writing, having raised $134,000 of its $450,000 goal.
“Ken’s family is still faced with a great deal of debt,” a statement on the page writes. “So, please, continue your contributions in Ken’s honor… they will be greatly appreciated.”
Learn more at GoFundMe.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
