I had a 2011 for a couple of years. I really liked the guitar, but something about that neck just never allowed me to love it long term. As for the sounds; it's pretty versatile. I'd agree that there is a little brightness to the NF's. I always thought they sounded HB at 10, but the more you roll off the volume, the brighter (strat-ier) they got. I like the NF's enough to drop a set into a Santana. Love how they sound in that guitar. They made it a keeper (I had intended to part ways with it).
As for retail; I sold mine last March for more than I bought it for in 2014. Although, that has as much to do with GC's sometimes silly used pricing. YMMV.