Once upon a time I was in a used window shop in Milwaukee—true story, such a thing used to exist; they sold windows salvaged from old houses (I needed a storm window)—and some old geezer was wandering around the store yelling “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” I thought it pretty weird and didn’t immediately understand until I realized he was a Korean-era Vet and needed help and, like in most modern big box stores, there was no one around to assist him. I don’t often need much assistance in knowing about obscure guitars, but, boy, is this guitar off the radar and it makes me scream “Mayday!” Despite what I do know.
2000 Parrot Tirryche Electric Guitar
I bought this guitar on eBay in 2000. How could I not? I think the seller was in Houston, and was Asian with not too great English language skills. I asked them what it was and learned it was a Parrot Tirryche made in China. OK. Upon further inquiry I learned that it was also being sold as a Scorpion QueensRyche. Well, a connection with the Scorpions and QueensRyche established an obvious Heavy Metal relationship that made more sense than tropical birds. Indeed, I was told it was made by “Scorpion” in TianJing, China. This is most likely Tianjin, a city immediately to the east of Beijing, essentially a “suburb.”
Now, assuming this is true information, which I have no reason to doubt, it really doesn’t tell us much of anything. Actually, I’ve done some research on the modern Chinese guitar industry and the area east of Beijing is, in fact, one of the regions where guitar-making thrives. (Another is on the mainland across from Hong Kong.) So, assuming this guitar was made in Tianjin, it was made near a modern center of Chinese lutherie. And, in 2000 it was a pretty early example of Chinese product. As we all know, Chinese industrial progress has been extraordinarily swift, and today some decent guitars are being made there.
2000 Parrot Tirryche Electric Guitar
I know that most modern guitars are basically rough-hewn on CNC carving machines. They began to be used in around 1976 pretty much simultaneously by Peavey for its remarkable T-60/T-40 guitars and basses and by FujiGen Gakki in Nagoya, Japan, for Ibanez, Greco and other guitars. And I know CNC machines can do amazing things. But I have no idea what the story is on this Tirryche or whatever it is. I suspect that, coming from back in Ought Zero, it actually may have been carved by hand, not a fancy CNC machine. First of all, the Chinese guitar industry was in its infancy at that time. People were only just beginning to look there for sources. Korea was still the go-to place. With no large-scale production, it’s highly unlikely that “Scorpion” had a CNC machine, or the expertise to program it to make something this complex. Some little old wood-carver supplying someone who assembled the parts and sold them to a trading company is a more likely scenario. If I’m right, this actually becomes a pretty interesting guitar, which it already is intrinsically, if you, like me, like really weird guitars!
2000 Parrot Tirryche Electric Guitar
Indeed, it’s pretty hard to decipher what kind of imagination created this guitar. The Heavy Metallers were partial to odd-shaped guitars, but this? Kiss and the Axe guitar I get. This is like a caricature of a Heavy Metal guitar. Or maybe it’s a guitar modelled after a Chinese orthographical character that represents mental illness. Or the sign of the Year of the Boar. Or some dead Emperor.
You can actually play this guitar, though I’m not sure why you would. I mean, the embarrassment factor alone would argue against breaking this out on stage. Then again, no one else would have one… This is well enough made that you can set it up adequately. Think Korean-made Hondo and you have the guitar space it occupies.
2000 Parrot Tirryche Electric Guitar
Needless to say, neither Parrot Tirryches nor Scorpion QueensRyches hit a home-run. This is the only one I’ve ever seen. Even on eBay at the time (or since, not that I’ve been looking)! This likely was a trial balloon, limited-run guitar designed to test a market that didn’t and doesn’t exist. It can’t hold a candle to a Peavey T-60. Or to most modern Chinese-made guitars. But, if I’m right in my assumptions and conclusions, this is a rare example of product from the early Chinese guitar-making industry, possibly largely hand-made, and, if you’re jealous, go ahead and find another one!
Let me know if you’ve seen anything similar. Like I said, this Parrot Tirryche is one of the rare incidences when I have to cry “Mayday!” I need a storm window.
Is it a neck through or a bolt on?
Just thinking. If a bolt on maybe somebody could have initialed or signed the inside of the neck like they do at Fender. And thus another clue to pursue! The body however does look a little rychish! Maybe Michael wanted one made and when he saw it ran away vowing to never speak of it again. It could happen!
I believe they normally call that an “anchor” shape in China. They’re relatively popular as far as weird shapes go in that part of the world. Not usually finished as nicely though. Most ones like that you can find on Chinese export sites are pretty box-cut and lack the nice looking contours of your one.
Well the body is in the shape of the Queensrÿche logo.
This guitar is designed after the Queensryche band logo. its all over their album covers
“You can actually play this guitar, though I’m not sure why you would. I mean, the embarrassment factor alone would argue against breaking this out on stage.”
I have to disagree. You hit the nail on the head when you called this “a caricature of a Heavy Metal guitar”. I can imagine any number of bar-based general Classic Rock cover bands strapping this on for the odd Judas Priest, etc tune. Playing a whole set? Probably not, even if you’re Nigel Tufnel.
This looks like a replica of the guitar Michael Wilton played on Queensrych’s “Empire” tour. The shape is modeled after their logo. Chris Degarmo had this graphic on his guitar also. Check out some videos from that time, they should be there. By the way, I think this guitar looks “sick!” Would love to have it having been a big fan of Queensrych’s.
Sorry, should have mentioned I believe the originals were built by ESP (One-off customs, I’m sure).
That’s the symbol for the band Queensrÿche.
If you do a search on Amazon for “Maestro” guitars you’ll find one of these, along with some marvelously bizarre guitars. My current favorite is the Les Paul style guitar with three cartoon character camels. On the front, it appears they are on vacation. On the back, you get a wonderful view of the camels butts. I kid you not. Camels.
This Parrot Tirryche is one of the coolest looking guitars I have seen in years, you guys outdid yourself with this one.
If you’re too embarrassed to play it, please send it to me. I love it!
This would not be comfortable to play sitting down. You could probably sell this to someone in Gwar and triple your money.
I purchased from a chap in America, what was described as a ESP Scorpion TriRyche Guitar ! It is finished with a Yellow / Black ”spackle” effect. It came with an absolutely glorious custom made, purple felt lined case as well. the one thing I do know about this Guitar, is it is TWICE as loud as any of my other guitars, by just plugging it into an Amplifier, and therefore nearly lifts the roof off. It seems to be directed at the Heavy Metal player. If you use the above description, and hit ‘Google Images”, you should find a metallic Red and Charcoal version as well = these are the ONLY two other examples I have been able to locate. Please advise me how to attach photo’s, and I will send you a couple of pics of my beast.
Cheers, Jim – Adelaide. South Australia
Beautiful artwork. If it plays well & has good tone, I wouldn’t be embarrassed to gig it. She’s one-of-a-kind, please treat her well. Peace!
It is, in fact, the Queensryche symbol called the Tri-ryche.
Check out this link for a pic
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=queensryche+triryche&espv=2&qscrl=1&biw=1264&bih=1447&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UgayVPTaII3XoATD8oDgAg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
Now, we’re going back over 20 years here so my memory is unreliable at best, but I seem to remember Queensryche having a custom guitar like this in one of their videos. Probably around the time of the Empire album (I was a big Queensryche fan about this time). The shape of it is the band’s tri-ryche symbol (so that’s either a mistake in the name or a really weird name for it to pretend it isn’t a copy!), which features on the cover of that album as well. I can’t remember if the guitars were ever available – pretty sure ESP were doing all their guitars at that time but I can’t remember ever seeing these available (there were signature models at the time but they just had the logo on a normal guitar, not the shaped ones).
What a weird guitar to have a Chinese copy though! I mean strats and teles fair enough, but surely there’s a very limited audience for a guitar like this? Even amongst Queensryche fans!
This guitar is a exact replica of the band Queensryche’s emblem/symbol. The shape appears on all their album covers. Could be a one-off perhaps?
Looks like the ESP TriRyche.
The Tri-Ryche has been the symbol for Queensryche since it first appeared on their third album, RAGE TO ORDER.
I have a black one. Has a Scorpion image on the neck plate and Scorpion logo on headstock. It has these numbers on back of headstock. SH 2000 and under those are these F0005616. Have no more clues on it but it plays great.
i have one of these i got around year 2000 but mine is orange with yellow lightning bolts all over it does anyone no any more on these guitars
There are certainly a vatiery of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice level to carry up. I offer the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where crucial thing will probably be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, however I am certain that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both boys and girls really feel the affect of just a seconde2€™s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
I have one of these, my dad found it in a junk shop in Devon (UK) I told him it was the Queesnryche logo but he had no idea what I was on about.
this is the first time ive found any info about it. Mine (or Dads, depending…) is a grey colour with a humbucker and a Floyd rose bridge. decent bit of kit.
As already mentioned though, pain to play sitting down.
I have one of these!
Was wondering what the hell it was, Thank you!
There’s one for sale on the RI Craigslist today 9/16/16 http://providence.craigslist.org/msg/5783142645.html
Bought one today in Phoenix AZ. Anyone know how much it’s worth?
Parrot electric acoustic guitar with a plastic body. It looks similar to an ovation guitar.
There was one on Craigslist here in Green Bay about a year be or two ago. The guitar was identical except for the color scheme. Plus it had the original case. I was going to buy it but somehow the seller and I could never find a time to meet up.
Here’s the kick in ass. The guitar had an original double locking Floyd Rose (not a Licensed by Floyd Rose), plus be you figure the custom hardshell case, and the guitar. He either needed $ or didn’t care. He one wanted $300.00 US dollars for it. He lives (lived) in the same town as me but I still have yet to see a him or meet him and he never listed it again as far as I know.
I was in a pizza shop in Allen, TX last night and there was a red one on the wall. I asked the owner what it was and he proudly proclaimed “It’s a Queensryche guitar!” OK. I asked who built it and he said “Queenryche!” like I was an idiot. I told him Queensryche is a band and they don’t build guitars (who’s the idiot now). This thing is butt-ugly, I’ll stick to my Les Paul and Strat.
Lmao! I bought and still own one of these too! And I believe from the same Asian guy! That was probably in 2003 or so.
My buddy has a red one made by GORILLA. Apparently not related to the gorilla amp company. It’s fairly high end, the neck is definitely good quality, the custom case for it is pretty impressive as well. Anyone have any solid info or links to information about who made this?
I have a similar one signed by Geoff, Michael, Scott, Chris and Eddie