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Doug Wamble

@dougwamble

a year ago

The world lost a true original today. Ken Parker completely changed the guitar building community, more than once. The first time I played one of his masterpiece acoustic archtop guitars, I was speechless. It was like nothing I’d ever heard or seen. But that experience was practically meaningless compared to what he brought into my life with his friendship.

Ken had been battling cancer for a couple of years, and through it all, even up until last week when we had our final conversation, he remained joyful. He said “What a ride! What a life I’ve lived!” I aspire to his level in more ways than one.

Ken leaves an unfillable hole in this universe, but then again, maybe not. I’ll never forget him and won’t ever stop talking about him and remembering his singular humanity. RIP my friend.

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Posted On: October 5th 2025, 10:57 pm

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The world lost a true original today. Ken Parker completely changed the guitar building community, more than once. The first time I played one of his masterpiece acoustic archtop guitars, I was speechless. It was like nothing I’d ever heard or seen. But that experience was practically meaningless compared to what he brought into my life with his friendship.

Ken had been battling cancer for a couple of years, and through it all, even up until last week when we had our final conversation, he remained joyful. He said “What a ride! What a life I’ve lived!” I aspire to his level in more ways than one.

Ken leaves an unfillable hole in this universe, but then again, maybe not. I’ll never forget him and won’t ever stop talking about him and remembering his singular humanity. RIP my friend.

Comments (15)

a year ago

jonmorrisdesign

I'm sorry for your loss. He seems like he was a truly nice person.

a year ago

geoff.cline

May his memory be a blessing always. Lovely remembranceDoug. And what a night that was!! Sending love and light…music heals.

a year ago

oakcliffguitars

😢

a year ago

seth_pix

Oh man. I’m sorry to hear of his passing Doug. I was working with Pat Martino when Pat and Ken hooked up back in the 90’s. Not sure if anyone recollects, but for a while Pat actually played and endorsed the Parker Fly Guitar model. There was quite a lot of back on making it work for Pat back then, inclusive of finding a way for that model to handle the string tension that Pat wanted. He used a 16 gauge for his high E string. Crazy! Definitely not what that particular amazing guitar advancement was meant to handle, but ultimately Ken somehow made it happen! My sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and all who knew him!