It's 2022, anyone still rockin' an NF3?

[silence.speaks]

This model has piqued my curiosity, anyone still playing one? Anyone using it in a cover band setting?

 

[RickP]

I did use one for a while in a variety band, and it was very versatile. Stupidly sold it and and just not willing to pay double to get one back. Great guitars, though.

 

[Bud1904]

I also owned one and sold it. It was a very good guitar, I liked the NF tone. But, if I wanted a strat style SSS guitar I would get a Silver Sky.

EDIT: I did not know that PRS has reintroduced the mighty NF.

 

[RC Mike]

I just got one a couple of weeks ago. Still getting to know it. The pickups are very versatile, but it‘s definitely different sounding compared to my Silver Sky.

A couple of things to note physically: If the body shape isn’t identical to the Silver Sky, it’s darn close. The finish on the neck is the same sunken in satin nitro that the current CEs have—feels really nice.

Mine has a piece of masking tape in the pickup cavity saying “neck angle 13 1/2”. The pickups are Rev. B. It was a summer of 2012 build.

I actually really like the cleans out of the Narrowfields, which I‘ve seen others be a bit blah about.

It’s a great guitar. I think it’ll become a favorite of mine.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Still rocking NF3? EVERY DAY!!!

Oh wait, I have to play in a cover band???

Sorry, I got nothin.

 

[Bud1904]

Winter NAMM 2021, at approx 5:00 PRSh talks about the NF:

 

[ViperDoc]

I've got one, just don't play it much. It sounds great, though.

 

[Going Modal]

EDIT: I did not know that PRS has reintroduced the mighty NF.

OK, so yeah--PRS did, in fact, reintroduce the NF pickup recently, in the late-model Studio and Special Semihollow models. But I've got questions... (skip to the last PP for TLDR)

Upon the first release of the NF pickups, there were occasionally known as "57/08 Narrowfield," touted as a narrow-field version of the flagship (at that time) 57/08 humbucker. Right about that time, too, they released the "Studio" model with an NF-NF-57/08 pickup layout, which seemed perfect--two 57/08 NF's + a full-size 57/08 in the bridge. Makes me think of all those S-S-H superstrat type guitars out there. But specifically, it was two narrow 57/08's + one full-size 57/08, which made perfect tonal sense.

In today's Studio model, we have the NF's again--this time with "TCI" treatment and without the 57/08 moniker attached--plus a 58/15 LT in the bridge, instead. But yet, the 57/08 pickup is still a thing... at least, it is in the Accessory store, if not actually on new models.

So, my question: is the newer NF not really a 57/08 anymore, and has the TCI treatment made it more like the 58/15 family sound? (As evidenced by its pairing with a 58/15 LT nowadays and not the 57/08 anymore.) I had a 2011 Studio for a bit, totally expected to fall in love with it, but didn't; should I reconsider the newer one?

 

[jak3af3r]

OK, so yeah--PRS did, in fact, reintroduce the NF pickup recently, in the late-model Studio and Special Semihollow models. But I've got questions... (skip to the last PP for TLDR)

Upon the first release of the NF pickups, there were occasionally known as "57/08 Narrowfield," touted as a narrow-field version of the flagship (at that time) 57/08 humbucker. Right about that time, too, they released the "Studio" model with an NF-NF-57/08 pickup layout, which seemed perfect--two 57/08 NF's + a full-size 57/08 in the bridge. Makes me think of all those S-S-H superstrat type guitars out there. But specifically, it was two narrow 57/08's + one full-size 57/08, which made perfect tonal sense.

In today's Studio model, we have the NF's again--this time with "TCI" treatment and without the 57/08 moniker attached--plus a 58/15 LT in the bridge, instead. But yet, the 57/08 pickup is still a thing... at least, it is in the Accessory store, if not actually on new models.

So, my question: is the newer NF not really a 57/08 anymore, and has the TCI treatment made it more like the 58/15 family sound? (As evidenced by its pairing with a 58/15 LT nowadays and not the 57/08 anymore.) I had a 2011 Studio for a bit, totally expected to fall in love with it, but didn't; should I reconsider the newer one?

I don't see where they have specifically labeled the NF as being TCI.

Unless they've made significant changes to the design of the pickup, I doubt they're remotely similar to the 58/15lt. I have a 25th SAS which was the first model to incorporate those pickups in 2010 and they're HOT which is probably from the inductance being close to 5H.

In relation to the OP, I play my SAS in a cover band. It's probably brighter than a NF3 and they are very versatile but very sensitive to small changes in pick attack, volume settings, tone settings, amps, pedals, etc.

Edit: I'm in the middle of recording a demo with all the switching positions for reference because the audio/video that's published is older or lower quality and I don't believe shows the true capabilities of these pickups.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I've got one, just don't play it much.

That's all I got.

 

[Going Modal]

I have a 25th SAS which was the first model to incorporate those pickups in 2010 and they're HOT which is probably from the inductance being close to 5H.

Yes, that's what I recall from my brief time with my Studio model--those narrowfields seemed WAY more powerful than their slim appearance might suggest.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

and they're HOT which is probably from the inductance being close to 5H.

That's odd. Have you measured them? Mine don't appear to be any hotter than my 57-08s, and not as hot as my 59/09s or even close to my Axis pickups. They were supposed to be the same spec (winds/inductance) as 57/08s, but the narrow coils giving a little tighter more focus sound. That's exactly how I'd describe mine although my guitar with 57/08s is very different (hog/maple semi-hollow C22)

 

[jak3af3r]

That's odd. Have you measured them? Mine don't appear to be any hotter than my 57-08s, and not as hot as my 59/09s or even close to my Axis pickups. They were supposed to be the same spec (winds/inductance) as 57/08s, but the narrow coils giving a little tighter more focus sound. That's exactly how I'd describe mine although my guitar with 57/08s is very different (hog/maple semi-hollow C22)

I did measure them. I have also taken the ring off to see if the claim that they're taller than a normal pickup is true. They're not. My suspicion is they used thin(ner) wire and stronger magnets to make up for the size difference.

Neck measured at 4.94H and 8.4k

Middle measured at 4.85H and 8.41k

Bridge measures at 4.97H and 8.4k

 

[ViperDoc]

That's all I got.

It's a 594 thing, y'all.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

It's a 594 thing, y'all.

NF3 is too good to waste though. And one of our brothers here is looking for one...

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I did measure them. I have also taken the ring off to see if the claim that they're taller than a normal pickup is true. They're not. My suspicion is they used thin(ner) wire and stronger magnets to make up for the size difference.

Neck measured at 4.94H and 8.4k

Middle measured at 4.85H and 8.41k

Bridge measures at 4.97H and 8.4k

Right in line with 57/08 specs. That's not hot though, unless someone was expecting single coil output.

 

[veinbuster]

Is this close enough? It still lives in my convenient to reach cabinet.
It's among the best range of my electrics, so well suited to a cover band. Less so if you are playing a lot of really heavy stuff.

 

[jak3af3r]

Right in line with 57/08 specs. That's not hot though, unless someone was expecting single coil output.

Unfortunately, I don't have any "normal" 57/08 for comparison. The closest to the measurements I took in PRS world I own is one of the round-corner McCarty neck pickups from the 90's or the VB.

However, the NF will put out enough output to make my Wampler Sovereign sag really badly like my HFS will if it's too close to the strings.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Is this close enough? It still lives in my convenient to reach cabinet.
It's among the best range of my electrics, so well suited to a cover band. Less so if you are playing a lot of really heavy stuff.

This guitar is the only thing that makes me sad about the fact that you will outlive me.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Unfortunately, I don't have any "normal" 57/08 for comparison. The closest to the measurements I took in PRS world I own is one of the round-corner McCarty neck pickups from the 90's or the VB.

However, the NF will put out enough output to make my Wampler Sovereign sag really badly like my HFS will if it's too close to the strings.

for comparison, SD 59 is 7.43 neck/ 8.13 bridge Seth lovers, close to that as well.