SE Swamp Ash Special vs SE NF3

[Bassandj]

Hi, I am searching for my first electric guitar (I've played acoustic up to now) and I have isolated these two amazing models. I got the chance to try out the SE NF3 in a shop and loved it but I like the wood finish of the SE SAS even more and it seems more versatile on paper... Some said the pickup switching on the SE SAS is weird though and I found all 5 SE NF3 pickup modes interesting, compared to a classic Strat thanks to the 3 DD narrow fields. I am looking for a "play-it-all" guitar, so for blues, jazz, rock, heavy rock and some metal. I would like this guitar to be sufficient by itself for several years without adding another one in the collection. What is the best choice in your opinion and why?

 

[Russ73]

I had both and kept the SAS simply because the narrowfields didn't handle the gain I like in the bridge....both killer for the price....

 

[Jimmy Ramone]

Another vote for the SAS. My core 2002 SAS is a forever guitar that gets gigged regularly in our cover band because of its versatility.

 

[andy474x]

I don’t know if most are like this, but the SE SAS I played was a boat anchor… if weight is important to you, be aware.

 

[Glide-bpm]

I have both. I would get rid of my SE NF3 before my SE SAS if it were going to be my only guitar.

... and I really really love my NF3!!!

 

[Russ73]

I don’t know if most are like this, but the SE SAS I played was a boat anchor… if weight is important to you, be aware.

Mines around 7lbs....bought from Brian's guitars where they boost weight...but yeah some are heavy!!

 

[dogrocketp]

My SE SAS comes in at 7.8. Literally a perfect weight.

 

[Carlost]

I haven't played an SE NF3 yet, but my SE SAS is a beautiful keeper, of very reasonable weight. (I'd guess 7 lbs. something, like other SE double-cuts.) Stock, the switching was indeed "weird" (i.e., limited), with most settings sounding surprisingly dark given the guitar's construction. It sounded much like my mahogany-backed SE Custom 22's, with a little more snap. That was fine, just lacking some of the Fender tones I expected from an ash body + bolt-on maple neck/fretboard.

It got a lot more versatile with this mod, which was inspired by other SAS owners on this forum who'd mentioned Free-Way switches. That's unlocked a bunch of pure single-coil and other settings. But for the range of styles you mentioned – all punchier than twang – even a stock SE SAS might suit you nicely. Out of the box, and unlike the NF3, the stock settings aren't deliberately voiced to sound like single-coil Strat pickups. (The stock bridge + middle combination does get into the Fender zone.)

 

[Bassandj]

Thank you all! I made up my mind and ordered the SE SAS. I'm so excited

 

[Bassandj]

I haven't played an SE NF3 yet, but my SE SAS is a beautiful keeper, of very reasonable weight. (I'd guess 7 lbs. something, like other SE double-cuts.) Stock, the switching was indeed "weird" (i.e., limited), with most settings sounding surprisingly dark given the guitar's construction. It sounded much like my mahogany-backed SE Custom 22's, with a little more snap. That was fine, just lacking some of the Fender tones I expected from an ash body + bolt-on maple neck/fretboard.

It got a lot more versatile with this mod, which was inspired by other SAS owners on this forum who'd mentioned Free-Way switches. That's unlocked a bunch of pure single-coil and other settings. But for the range of styles you mentioned – all punchier than twang – even a stock SE SAS might suit you nicely. Out of the box, and unlike the NF3, the stock settings aren't deliberately voiced to sound like single-coil Strat pickups. (The stock bridge + middle combination does get into the Fender zone.)

This is quite interesting considering the SAS body and neck wood. I guess I will see as soon as I receive it Thanks for the link to the mod, I'll check it

 

[bodia]

Thank you all! I made up my mind and ordered the SE SAS. I'm so excited

Nice!

 

[Glide-bpm]

Awesome!