How close is the tone of NF's in the NF3 vs. Studio?

[92Esquire]

This year my wife wants to get me a really nice guitar for an anniversary present. For a number of personal reasons, I'd rather it was a PRS. The idea of a "superstrat" appeals to me and I've looked at the Studio model. However, I'm really, really nervous about the pickups. I've not found a whole lot of PRS pickups to my liking (the HFS/VB in my Cu24 had to go ASAP). I'm very concerned that I'd get a special guitar that I couldn't sell (due to it being an anniversary gift), and find I hate the NF pickups.

So I'm considering picking up a used NF3 to see if I like the tone of the pickups before I commit to a Studio order later this year. For those who've played both, are they even close tonally? I understand different construction (bolt-on vs. set), wood use, and scale, but pickups tend to have a somewhat unique voice that transcends the guitar they're in (at least in my experience). What do you think? If I liked the NF3, would I be reasonably confident to be satisfied with a Studio?

 

[Fro]

I have an NF3. I've never played a a studio model so I can't answer your question. I can say these are some of the best pickups out there and I'd bet you'd like them.

 

[mithogo]

Do you live near a store that sells PRS guitars? A test drive (the longer the better) is recommended. Try to play it through an amp you are familiar with.

 

[mithogo]

I have a Studio and a SAS-NF, the pups are the same on both.

 

[Michael_DK]

Being in the market myself at this time, I've researched a bit. I had my sights set on the studio, but I am going to go with the Brent Mason signature.

You say you are considering a superstrat-type guitar. What I found (by reading; I haven't actually played them myself) is that while the narrowfields are not singlecoils, they should be able to get stray-like tones by rolling down the volume. I have also seen them described as being more mini-humbucking and/or P90s in nature (the volume roll-off notwithstanding - I think).

In general, people REALLY seem to like them, is my impression. BUT if you are looking for real strat tones, you may be better off with something else. Depends on what you're after.

You could consider checking out the Brent Mason. Totally contrary to my initial predictions, this is what I have settled on.
Before that, I was looking hard at the Swamp Ash Studio, which may be a bit more stratty than the mahogany/maple studio (which I initially looked at).

You can check out these videos for a swamp ash special 25th anniversary featuring three NFs (doesn't have the hum bucker in the bridge, but otherwise should be identical to the swamp ash studio (not to be confused with the swamp ash SPECIAL, by the way).).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nf_UyDGb8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2k0r3dP87A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMGnRZA97E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA1pheCUaVw


And some of the "regular" studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXhDSkdxvy8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJRLjbCVC4A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQMewNu97J4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxhds5gdJB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctQ1Rb_oc4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWcaluFc_zw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxhds5gdJB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTcmDSpOxsQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7ke24SAQcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKktAgkA04g


Hope you can use some of this. Look for the sounds with the volume turned down in the videos above. Can't remember which ones demoes this the best - I leave that to you


Hope this helps.

 

[Michael_DK]

...And why not, here's a couple of demos of the Brent Mason

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x80_mEtHmtQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoujeIS5u1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROmlEquqKpI

(just to further inundate you with videos... ;-))

 

[Egads]

I think you might find there is quite a bit of difference in tone between the NF3 and the Studio. I have a 513 that I truly love. At a store today, they had an used Super Dallas (who would trade in that amp?) tha I had to try. I pulled down a DC3 for e comparison, since I know the pickups. The tone was so different from my 513 that I ended up checking a DRRI to make sure I was hearing the guitar and not just the amp.

So, the difference in construction/woods is going to make it difficult to really decide if you like the pups.

With all that said, if you really want a super strat, get a 513!

 

[RedGuitars]

The 513 is available in swamp ash as well. I had one and loved it.

 

[Whitecat]

One thing the NF3 is surprisingly good at (for a non-Strat) is the "in-between" tones. They are more authentic sounding than the single-pickup positions, to my ears. So this is something you cannot achieve with a Studio obviously due to the entirely different pickup config.

+1 to MichaelDK's comment that turning the volume down does make them sound slightly more single-coily than 'mini-bucker' but it's still not a Strat.

 

[Andy80]

I just purchased a studio after having an 03 custom 24 for the last ten years. The studio pickups put the HFS/VB pups to shame. The 57/08 is one of the best pickups I have ever heard and the NF pups sound really fat and round and toneful. Haven't played an NF3 but you will not be disappointed with the studio. It is very versatile. The 57/08 is also coil tapped.

I love it so much that I am swapping out the HFS/VB pups for Lollars as they sound dead to my ears now.

 

[mcbprs]

Never played a studio but I have an NF3 and a ME III, the NF3 I find to be slightly bright (less mid heavy) compared to the ME III this I guess is due to the different construction and timbers, Hog & Maple - Korina, RW neck and board - Maple neck and board, set neck - bolt on. Both are excellent guitars with a good range of very usable sounds, for further reference the ME III is very slightly less mid heavy than an ME 1 (with 57/08s) but nothing a tweak on the amps mid and drive pots can't balance out, really getting to like NF pickups very versatile for me ;-)

 

[92Esquire]

Thank you all for the input.

To clarify, when I say "superstrat", I'm not looking for something that is a nuts-on tonal match for a '64 Strat. I've got good strats. I'm looking for something in the same ballpark, but noiseless and more powerful. I'm coming to realize that I love the tone of a neck P-90, but hate the noise. I like the clarity of a neck Strat pickup, but want more punch and output. I also like the output of neck humbuckers, but dislike the muddiness and compression of a true humbucker.

What I'm looking for is something with the output of a neck humbucker, with the punch of a P-90, and the clarity of a Strat. I'm hoping an NF-equipped guitar can get me in that zip code.

 

[Fro]

You pretty well described the NF3 pretty good.

 

[bjornkom]

So did the OP end up with an NF3 or a Studio?