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I really want this guitar. I mean I really, really want it. It's a Parker DF524 guitar  The problem is of course the money. So please, if everyone would just buy one of my Band-in-a-Box disks, I could make enough money to buy this puppy and I'll be soooooo happy. ;-) Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Bob, Shameless promotion!   Good luck on the guitar, but have you ever owned a guitar without fret markers? It can be pretty annoying, especially at first ......... and even more annoying later after you realize you knew this going in. Dots on the side of the neck aren't the same as fret markers on the fretboard. It's just one more thing to have to pay attention to besides the music. If they're ordered from the factory, I'd get one with fret markers. Pretty cool guitar though.
Last edited by bobcflatpicker; 11/15/10 03:39 PM.
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I smell the $1500 buck lifetime special. Get ALL my tracks now, everything I've got, and you are guaranfrickinteeed to get everything I do in the future too, except I'm gonna be playin' my axe so doan axe me questions about new tracks OK? or as they terminate sentences in Michigan UHUH?
Last edited by John Conley; 11/15/10 03:46 PM.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I never look at the fret markers on the fingerboard, but simply the dots on the neck. I guess it's the way I hold the guitar (I gig standing up).
I have increased the size of the fret dots with some reflective tape and a loose-leaf hole puncher though so I can see them on dark or front-lighted stages.
My partner has a Parker PM10 Hornet, and I really like her guitar. The neck is fantastic, touch-and-go.
On stage I play sax, wind synth, guitar, flute, vocals, and percussion controller, so I'm constantly picking up and putting down instruments. The Dragonfly is basically a Parker Fly with a few improvements and a better looking shape. 5 pounds sounds great to me.
The Casino is about 6 and it's OK (So is my Gibson ES330), but I'm playing too many outdoor gigs right now to depend on a hollow body (salt air and electronics don't mix) so I'm using my ESP/LTD/LP clone a lot, and at close to 8 pounds, I get tired of picking it up an setting it back down all night (oh, poor me).
So judging on the reputation of the Fly, my partner's Hornet, and my tired right arm, I think this could be the perfect gigging guitar for me.
And it's made in the USA.
I really, really want this guitar ;-)
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Edited to read wife's jewel box for those who had problems because I mentioned a gun.
Edited to not refer to pick up trucks which got some peed off, I can't include convertibles or people in California are going to take offense, Renaults are out due to the French sensitivities, and Fiat can't be used or the Rissotto family of Montreal will be hunting me, so to speak, 'scuze. Removed the AK 47 tried replacing it with a gun from the USA but then I got flack so I just took it out.
Changed Bluegrass to Klezmer and then they called me saying that was unfair, so I had to delete that too, so there is no marketing plan based on a fakebook. There was strenuous exception to the Christmas Fakebook, the Holiday Fakebook, and the Jazz Fakebook (too snobby).
The people for the ethical treatment of chipmunks are suing me for suggesting they be shot at with bb's. Notes cannot give away bb's to people who purchase bluegrass fakebooks it's un-ethical.
I'm thinking of doing like Gdaddy. I'm going to post stuff other people wrote, so no one can say I wrote it.
All that said I hope Notes gets his guitar, but I'm sure he'd like a Godin Montreal better. It comes with Montreal Smoked Meat, a Canadian, and a side of poutine. (Edit take out smoked meat, lose the rye) (Edit take out Peanut Butter, someone's allergic), Jam Sandwich Milk and Oreos. (Delete the Oreos for pete's SAKE!) homemade oatmeal cookies.
No beer. The religious people are 'agin it.
Last edited by John Conley; 11/15/10 05:27 PM.
John Conley
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We don' need no steenking fret dots.
--Mac
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Mac, Quote:
We don' need no steenking fret dots.
I guess my response for that would be that while standing up, the fret dots are "offset" from the actual frets by 2 or 3 frets considering the neck is to your left. The fretboard markers are still visible and are where they should be even while still standing up. Just another thing to think about instead of the music. I guess it only matters when you're playing up the neck a lot, which I do, and I'm sure you do too.
It's kind of a "Where's Waldo?" for the guitar. I'd rather find the note instead of finding "Waldo".
Just a pet peeve of mine.
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Well, Bob, if you get that Gospel Fakebook ready, youknow some of us are waiting for it so we can send you some $$ That is a beeyootiful axe. Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Just buy it Notes, I'm sure that a few of us on here know that you are loaded with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. 
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Quote:
Mac,
Quote:
We don' need no steenking fret dots.
I guess my response for that would be that while standing up, the fret dots are "offset" from the actual frets by 2 or 3 frets considering the neck is to your left. The fretboard markers are still visible and are where they should be even while still standing up. Just another thing to think about instead of the music. I guess it only matters when you're playing up the neck a lot, which I do, and I'm sure you do too.
It's kind of a "Where's Waldo?" for the guitar. I'd rather find the note instead of finding "Waldo".
Just a pet peeve of mine.
No, just a pet peeve of *mine* my friend.
I was started with the Classical Guitar and an old school teacher, no fret markers on the fingerboard nor on the edge. No tab, everything was from the written music. We were expected to be able to glance at a passage and instinctively pick the right position to play that passage. We also learned chords from the notation page, starting with the open chords and moving up the neck. Does not take that long before one is able to view a note stack and instantly recognize it as the Grand Barre or some other chord. There is also a way to tell if you might do better applying the Capo in order to play a certain piece or passage as well. Route memorization of the basics was taught a the same time, such that the student not only learns the instrument but the theory, and is thus able to view the note stack within the key signature and instantly recognize the numbers from the Major Scale that make up the chord. Thus a "1,5,1,3,5,1" stack is the Grand Barre, etc.
One really can navigate the neck without them, but that also takes a methodology concerning the Positions, along with that daily practice regimen in order to program the brain and hands, etc.
At this point, the argument is much like the one about the LEDs defining scales and modes.
If you need the fret markers, no harm nor foul there.
On the other hand, if you DON'T need them, there should be no harm or foul there either.
If you were confronted with one and only one guitar that did not have the markers - and did not succumb to adding your own markers - you might be surprised how short a time it would take a skilled player like yourself to adapt.
Blind players don't seem to need the markers...
--Mac
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BTW - I'm fairly certain that the guitar Notes pictures would have fret markers up on the top edge of the neck, where only the player can easily view them. That practice is pretty much de rigeur with guitar makers these days.
I remember a little kit, available to luthiers and repairmen in days past, that consisted of a set of round-head brass brads, meant to be hammered into the top edge of a fingerboard when someone who purchased a gut string guitar without fret markers demanded them. My particular beginning guitar teacher refused to use them or allow them, though. And I'm thankful for that today.
--Mac
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Mac, Excellent points throughout what you said, especially this one. Quote:
Blind players don't seem to need the markers...
If I had to get used to playing without them, I could. I've played guitars before that didn't have them and managed to get around the neck. It's all in what you get used to.
It's just that a guitar without fret markers wouldn't be my first choice. But hey, this is Notes dream guitar and it does look like a fine axe. Go for it Notes!
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Quote:
Well, Bob, if you get that Gospel Fakebook ready, youknow some of us are waiting for it so we can send you some $$ That is a beeyootiful axe.
Stan
Hi Stan -- we're working on it!!!
I have 29 other fake books, surely you can find at least one other to help little Bobby get his guitar 
Quote:
BTW - I'm fairly certain that the guitar Notes pictures would have fret markers up on the top edge of the neck, where only the player can easily view them. That practice is pretty much de rigeur with guitar makers these days. <...> Mac
If it doesn't, I'll put them on.
The fret dots on my LTD were too small and dim to see in either a dark club or one of those stages where the lights were pointed at you from a point slightly over your head, therefore putting the top of the neck in a shadow. My solution was to get some automotive reflecting tape and cut out some half moon shapes with a hole puncher.
They last at least 4 months, then one starts to peel off and I replace it when changing strings. Most have been on over a year now.
I'm probably going to have to put the Parker on credit (unless everybody buys a disk <big grin>). I just had to have my water well re-drilled, and some other plumbing work done. I would have rather spent the money on the guitar, but we need water for drinking, bathing, etc. a lot more than I needed a new guitar
Unlike Mac, I do need the fret dots on top of the neck, but I don't need them on the fingerboard.
I started playing in rock bands on saxophone, and did that exclusively for many years. I was glad the guitarists had fret markers on the fingerboard, because I learned to recognize chord shapes and positions, and if I knew what chord the guitarist was playing, I could transpose it up a whole step and know what to play on the tenor sax. To me that is the best thing about fingerboard markers.
But since I make my own backing tracks, I already know what the chords are so when Leilani plays her Parker PM10, I don't need to see where she is playing the chord.
(not her guitar, but it looks like this one)
I'm really impressed with her guitar. The neck joint is so well made that in order to see the joint where the neck meets the body, you have to take it out in the sunlight and look very closely. The neck is extremely fast, it's well balanced, fit and finish everywhere is superb (even inside the cavities), and sounds good with coil tapping pups (either SC or Humbucker).
So I'm hoping the same care is going into the new Parkers. Unfortunately, I cant get one around here, so there is no place to try it out, so I have to go on their reputation and reviews.
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Pat Martino used a Parker as his jazz&bop machine for a few years.
But that cat started out makin' a Les Paul sound like a big archtop jazzbox. It's in his fingers.
Notes -- I like yer dream guit there, but I'd probably go with HSH pup configuration rather than HSS here. Just a personal preference that has indeed changed over the years. When I want, "strat" then I pick up the strat.
--Mac
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Thanks for your input. I generally prefer SC pickups. The middle SC is RP/RW so I should be able to get a humbucker sound in the 2 position. That gives me the option. It seems more versatile that way. I bring a sax, two wind synths, a flute, a keyboard controller an entire PA set, Leilani's guitar, and her synth to the gig. I only want to bring one guitar for myself, so it has to be as versatile as I can get it. The factory gave me a very quick reply, and it has a 14" radius neck, something that Fender cannot do, and something that I prefer.
My modded LTD has one pup wired that way. I tend to use the SC positions much more than the Humbucker mode.
I think this guitar will exceed my current guitar chops for years to come, so I should be happy with it.
I think I'm going to pull the trigger this weekend. (everybody -- buy more disks <grin>)
I've almost convinced myself to put it on a credit card. MF is offering 12 months - no interest.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Hi Notes, quote: "The Dragonfly is basically a Parker Fly with a few improvements and a better looking shape." endquote. Are you serious??? Improvements???? Better looking shape??? You can't be serious!!! How can you improve on perfection??? Huh??? Huh??? Huh??? Get yourself a classic and be done with it!!! (i joke, i joke) Truth is, lots of folks are really diggin' some of the newer Parkers. Trying to find some good demo videos can be an exercise in flustration tho. Seems everybody loves distortion anymore. In this video, at least you can get a little bit of the range of tones offered up. Don't forget, you can also blend the piezo and mag pickups for some really cool jazz tones as well. I have the classic and love it to pieces, but if I were buying a new Parker I think I'd have to look really hard at one of these. Good luck on your purchase. I don't think you'll be sorry. Later, Jim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F15jlfCy3wQ
I'd be completely happy if I had just one more guitar.
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Notes, buy the darn thing. Life is too short.
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I think I'm going to pull the trigger on Friday. I'm not too keen on getting one via Internet order, and my local music store will know if he can get one by Thursday (I'd rather support a local music store). If not, I'll get it via Internet order. And yes - Life is short
- Since I play professionally, it's a tool
- Since I play professionally, it's a tax deduction
On the other hand, as a pro musician, I don't make as much money as I would have if I had stayed with the Electronics Engineering career I am partially trained for (forgot most of it by now). So I have to budget my money wisely. To defray the costs, I thought about selling my MIK Epiphone Casino since it basically mimics what my prized Kalamazoo Gibson ES-330 does, but I love both guitars. Then I thought about selling my modded ESP/LTD/FauxLP guitar, but it's only a $250.00 guitar brand new. I've put some good mods into it, GFS Mean 90 pups, and a Varitone, but I can't see me getting that money out of it, after all it's a rare bird now. Plus it does have a small ding on it. So I'll keep that as well.  I never wanted to be a guitar collector. I'm a musician, and they are tools. In all my years of being a sax player, I've owned one good tenor, one back-up tenor (just in case) and one good alto. Now I own 3 electric guitars, one acoustic, and I'm planning on getting a fourth guitar. Even though my predominant instrument is saxophone, I now own more guitars than saxophones. GAS is worse for guitarists than it is for saxophonists I guess I just need to get used to that idea. What's next? Put a mortgage on my house to get one of those gorgeous Gibson Johnny A models?  I'd really love this one, but there is no way I can justify the expense - even if 1,000 people bought a BiaB style from me to help me finance it I can see endless GAS, but I guess that comes with the territory. If and when I get the Parker, I'll take some pictures and post a review. Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Good luck with the guitar Notes. I know somebody who plays and has to buy expensive guitars. Its an interesting subject this.
Just wondering if its possible to get as good a guitar for $200 instead of paying say upwards of $2000 for one and then doing a blind test (playing from beind a curtain) for a layperson or even an intermediate guitarist, would they be able to tell the difference?
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Right on, Notes. Enjoy your new guitar!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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