GratefulGuitars
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2024
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- 10
I own a Fiore, but I have read some many good review from owners of the original Al Core NF3. I know NF3’s are hard to find, but how would you compare/contrast? Which do you prefer?
In the process of asking the question, I literally pulled the trigger on a 2011 Core NF3. Scarlet red, with rare, bird inlays in the maple neck. I guess I will play them both and eventually sell one or the other. I have always loved a Strat style body for comfort, but hated the bridge PU’s. I recently found a 2019 Am Pro Sweetwater Exclusive Strat that I’m “modding”.
Thank you and thank you for sharing your insights on the NF3. I’m very excited for it to arrive. I haven’t come across one NF3 owner who doesn’t completely rave about this guitar; more so than almost any other model. There seems to be complete consensus which is why finding a good used one is so difficult.The core NF3 is a monster guitar. I have two and they’ve been my main gigging guitars for a time now. I’ll throw a few thoughts out.
The NF3 is indeed its own animal, but so are most guitars really. The biggest mistake you can make in assessing one is to plug it in to an amp set for another guitar. Once set for the NF3, the guitar is quite neutral and versatile. It’s that consistency bridge to neck that I favor over HSS guitars. I don’t have a Fiore so the only other thing I can say is nothing sounds exactly like a true single coil, so if you rely on that a lot I’d suggest you stay with it. But the NF3 is as near as I’ve heard to good in-between sounds in 2 & 4.
The NF3 turned out to be a victim of unfamiliarity, and I was among those who tried and sold them in the past. You’ve got to get to know that configuration. Now I rely on it! All of this has lead me to think my best version of “HSS” might actually be H-NF-NF like a Studio. Those testing funds have not been available, so it’s more a guess at the moment.
I will second the thought that, if you dig the Fiore and it’s getting the sound you like, you ought to hang with it. But don’t pass on giving an NF3 a thorough shakedown if you get a chance. It might steal your heart too.
EDIT: you literally posted while I was typing! Congrats on the NF3. I believe you’re going to find it quite interesting!
I literally pulled the trigger on a 2011 Core NF3.
Very true.The biggest mistake you can make in assessing one is to plug it in to an amp set for another guitar.
well that's discouraging, as I've been contemplating trading my SS for a Fiore.Nice. The NF3 is a killer guitar. Way better beast than that se release. I like then Fiore but would take the NF3 and AmPro over one all day. You've made good moves!
Nice! You're going to love it!In the process of asking the question, I literally pulled the trigger on a 2011 Core NF3. Scarlet red, with rare, bird inlays in the maple neck. I guess I will play them both and eventually sell one or the other. I have always loved a Strat style body for comfort, but hated the bridge PU’s. I recently found a 2019 Am Pro Sweetwater Exclusive Strat that I’m “modding”.
My thought is that if it sounds good, then the Fire and the Strat end up covering similar tonal ground whereas the NF3 and the Strat may be more complimentary. I’ve only heard NF3 owners absolutely rave about the OG NF3’s. They are hard to find. So, I don’t think I will get “too hurt” if/when I decide let one of them go.
Others in the “quiver” include: MEV, Gibson SG Special ‘63 and Gibson CS 336. Big Deadhead and just searching for the tone. (Btw, I’m selling an SE NF3 on GearExchange - nice guitar, just not “my guitar”).
well that's discouraging, as I've been contemplating trading my SS for a Fiore.
Agreed. I have a SS and a fiore. I even routed my ss for a hum but ended up putting it back. They two different animals and really just depends on what you enjoy more.My bad! I'd never intentionally get in the way of GAS! Truthfully I'd rather have the Fiore over SS. I'm a HSS guy. I'm also more of a Fender rat when it comes to the SS. The SS is a good guitar and of course I'm a PRS guy but I like having a strat strat. There's been some smokin deals pop up on used Fiores lately that make it mighty tempting.. Do IT!![]()
Beautiful guitar. Looks like to take amazing care of it. The one I purchased is translucent scarlet red, but it has a few “love taps” on the bottom edge. Oddly, it has bird inlays instead of dots. Seller is including original receipt from Musician’s Friend. Haven’t seen one with this neck.Apples/oranges. A full-size bridge bucker and two dedicated single coils on the Fiore vs three narrow mini humbuckers on the NF3. And swamp ash vs korina. If you’re happy with your Fiore then I’d suggest keeping it. The Core NF3 sounds very different from the Fiore and has a unique voice that no other guitar comes close to, at least when you use the pickups individually (the dual pickup settings are remarkably Stratty). Due to the size of the narrow field pickups you can’t change them for something else unless you replace the entire pickguard. Long story short: if you really dig the unique sound of the Core NF3 then by all means hunt one down, but when in doubt then don’t say goodbye to a fine instrument like the Fiore.![]()
I have a Core NF3 (photo) and adore it but many are not swayed by its charms. The Core NF3 was a total commercial failure so there aren’t that many floating around. The few folks who have one obviously love it but that’s a very small group.
BTW, the recent SE NF3 sounds quite different from the original Core NF3. The concept is the same: three mini buckers on a bolt-on with a trem. But the woods and pickups are different and the sound is different.
No way. Can’t let this happenIF the Fiore had knobs further from the bridge pickup, I'd own one. My NF3 is a great guitar, and a keeper. By the way, What is this word "sell" doing on the forum? Keep them both. If Sergio finds out about this "sell", he may very well invoke the ancient Egyptian curse of the syphlitic Flea. You don't want that, now do you?
That's the problem. The Silver Sky is the first SSS ever that I've gotten along with all 3 pickups. I always preferred HSS because of that, but the Silver Sky bridge pickup really sounds good. Still, I'd prefer a guitar that plays and feels like a PRS, but sounds like a strat. If it has an humbucker in the bridge, I'm fine with that. What I I'm giving up on for me, is the radius of the Silver Sky. At this point, it's too much of a change from what I'm used to and it affects my playing (bending, which is the whole reason I wanted the SS!) too much. I want something that plays and feels EXACTLY like my NF3, but has true and really good single coil tones. If that's a DC3 with a pickup swap or something like that, then so be it. I was just hoping that "maybe" the Fiore could be that guitar because I love a good HSS.Agreed. I have a SS and a fiore. I even routed my ss for a hum but ended up putting it back. They two different animals and really just depends on what you enjoy more.
Also, the Core NF3 and DC3 had some of the most comfortable necks ever produced by PRS. My favourite neck profile and feel.
That's the problem. The Silver Sky is the first SSS ever that I've gotten along with all 3 pickups. I always preferred HSS because of that, but the Silver Sky bridge pickup really sounds good. Still, I'd prefer a guitar that plays and feels like a PRS, but sounds like a strat. If it has an humbucker in the bridge, I'm fine with that. What I I'm giving up on for me, is the radius of the Silver Sky. At this point, it's too much of a change from what I'm used to and it affects my playing (bending, which is the whole reason I wanted the SS!) too much. I want something that plays and feels EXACTLY like my NF3, but has true and really good single coil tones. If that's a DC3 with a pickup swap or something like that, then so be it. I was just hoping that "maybe" the Fiore could be that guitar because I love a good HSS.