The newest results of PRS Guitars “reverse-engineering”/ reconsidering its personal devices, the SE NF3 is the primary PRS to be given Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) S pickups.

A spin on the corporate’s most-popular mannequin, the SE Silver Sky, the SE NF3 additionally has a poly-finished poplar physique with bolt-on maple neck and rosewood or maple fretboard. The tuners are PRS’ Schaller-style which have a more-modern look in comparison with the Silver Sky, and its vibrato is a mix of outdated and new, with a six-screw base plate that has fashionable saddles. Scale size is 25″, which varies from the Silver Sky’s Strat-like 25.5″, and it brings PRS’ favored 10″ fretboard radius.

The largest derivation with the NF3 is within the pickups; the brand new Narrowfield DD S is made with taller bobbins (that match extra winds) and construct tweaks designed to create a more-focused single-coil tone whereas nonetheless being humbucking.

Performed by a small tube amp with ECC82 tubes, the NF3’s neck pickup has a more-rounded tone that sheds a little bit of the Silver Sky’s brightness, the center brings a smoother, less-articulate midrange, and the bridge pickup matches the Silver Sky’s shimmer and chime however can be smoother/less-bright general. With the five-way blade change in positions two and 4, the cluck-off contest between the 2 was very shut, however the NF3 renders barely extra lower-midrange.

Supplied in 4 end choices and with maple or rosewood fretboard, the SE NF3 deserves a hear for any participant seeking to increase their tonal choices.

This text initially appeared in VG’s September 2024 concern. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.