The Unofficial Official NF3 Thread

[TFC]

I think it's about time that the best model PRS has ever released* had its own thread. Post photos of your NF3 here. Seen a famous player playing one? Post a photo or video. Have a question about this short-lived but long-loved guitar? Ask away. Anything related to the NF3 is welcome. I know there are lots of NF3 fans here, so please contribute.

I'll start with two photos. First is my favorite guitar of the many that have passed through my hands over the years. I played a sunburst NF3 at Guitar Center and fell in love with it, but I could not afford a new one. I eventually found a used one in my favorite NF3 color, seafoam green. I got it about 10 years ago and is the first of a few NF3s I've owned. The neck and pickups are just wonderful. I still play and gig it often.

This second photo is of some other guy playing one.

When Rush's Time Machine tour came to Baltimore in 2011 Alex Lifeson met with PRS and picked up an NF3. At that Baltimore show and the second leg of the tour in Europe he used the guitar for Time Stand Still. I think it replaced his old CE24 that had the Evans pickups in it.

Help spread the NF3 love. What you got?

* Results may vary. Those varying results would be wrong.

 

[Tosca]

Here’s mine. Slightly tweaked version.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

There’s like space for at least 5 more mini-toggles on that baby. Come on man, you’re slipping.

It’s lush, well done.

 

[jak3af3r]

I'd be really interested to know what tonal differences between the NF3 and SAS NF are.

The troubling thing is I'd have to get the NF3 to know for sure and those don't move around often.

 

[TFC]

I'd be really interested to know what tonal differences between the NF3 and SAS NF are.

The troubling thing is I'd have to get the NF3 to know for sure and those don't move around often.

I had the exact same question a while back and started a thread. I ended up getting a SAS NF and compared the two. The thread is here:

NF3 vs Swamp Ash Special NF

I am a huge fan of my NF3 and have been looking around for another one, or something similar (Narrowfield pickups, bolt on regular neck). Only recently did the SASNF model appear on my radar. Can anyone with experience with both the NF3 and the SASNF tell me how those models feel and/or sound...

forums.prsguitars.com

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I really miss my old one. Trying to pry one away from my buddy.

 

[jak3af3r]

I had the exact same question a while back and started a thread. I ended up getting a SAS NF and compared the two. The thread is here:

NF3 vs Swamp Ash Special NF

I am a huge fan of my NF3 and have been looking around for another one, or something similar (Narrowfield pickups, bolt on regular neck). Only recently did the SASNF model appear on my radar. Can anyone with experience with both the NF3 and the SASNF tell me how those models feel and/or sound...

forums.prsguitars.com

This pretty much aligns with my SAS experience and videos I've seen of NF3s.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I had Justin’s and what became Hans’ NF3 at the house for a few months.

They both made me play it (I’m generally afraid of other people’s guitars) but I didn’t understand it at first. Now I’d probably love one.

 

[TFC]

Other than Jimmy Herring and John Mayer [edit: Alex Lifeson too], the only other guitarist with any level of fame that I've seen play an NF3 live is Jason Bieler from Saigon Kick. They're a band that I always thought should have been more popular than they were. They may have been one of the many bands to have the misfortune of starting to make it big right when Nirvana and grunge hit. They were probably best known for their ballad from their second album in the early '90s, but I always thought their first album was great and packed full of excellent songs. I saw them once when they were still a local band and they were fantastic. Jason obviously didn't play an NF3 back in the day but I've seen several from more recent times where he's playing one. Enjoy!

 

[RickP]

Here’s my current one… would like to find one more at some point. They’re habit-forming.

 

[jak3af3r]

Here’s my current one… would like to find one more at some point. They’re habit-forming.

You need one with a maple fretboard... For scientific purposes.

 

[dmatthews]

I am the idiot that passed up on a nice 25th Anni SAS NF3 last month. The price was incredibly good. I waffled...
I LOST!

 

[Jmarshrt]

I just picked up a 2011 model in white wash finish with dots. I would love to show a picture but I can't figure out how to upload it. 40 year old boomer problems

 

[TFC]

You need to host the image somewhere else and link to it here. You can find some info in this thread:

Posting Images with Imgur & Your Computer

Hi, Folks. This post is designed to instruct you how to post images using Imgur & your home computer. There are additional threads that cite how to post using the Imgur app on your phone; my goal is to teach you how to use Imgur with what many commonly use...your computer. Use either Google...

forums.prsguitars.com

Let us know if you need help. Would love to see your NF3!

 

[Jmarshrt]

I just picked up a 2011 model in white wash finish with dots. I would love to show a picture but I can't figure out how to upload it. 40 year old boomer problems

---

 

[Jmarshrt]

https://imgur.com/a/KBGGRT2

 

[Jmarshrt]

You need to host the image somewhere else and link to it here. You can find some info in this thread:

Posting Images with Imgur & Your Computer

Hi, Folks. This post is designed to instruct you how to post images using Imgur & your home computer. There are additional threads that cite how to post using the Imgur app on your phone; my goal is to teach you how to use Imgur with what many commonly use...your computer. Use either Google...

forums.prsguitars.com

Let us know if you need help. Would love to see your NF3!

I think that worked....at least I can see it now.

 

[TFC]

Yep, so can we. Nice one w/maple fretboard. How are you liking it?

 

[Jmarshrt]

I love the neck. Pattern regular and satin?!?!? It's perfect. The pickups are great. Loud as a humbucker but more clarity and you can still get a good "quack" out of positions 2 and 4. The only issue seems to be some nut binding. The hang tag says 10s, I run Stringjoy 9.5s and was getting some ping when using the bar. Some graphite lube fixed that issue.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Congratulations, classic look. Bet it sounds great.