Can These 'Humbuckers' Really Sound Like Single Coils? | 2024 PRS SE NF3 Review + Demo

📚Description: PRS has launched a new SE model featuring 3 Narrowfield Humbuckers that are supposed to sound like single coils. I was skeptical, but gave it a shot. They are definitely a bit fatter sounding, but that is what they were going for - and no hum! Many times noiseless singlecoils lose that charming glassy and spanky tones, but I was quite impressed with these.

PRS send me this guitar in exchange for a video review.

0:00 - Unboxing PRS SE NF3
1:00 - First Impressions
2:03 - What Comes With It
2:25 - Inside Look / Specs
7:06 - Clean Tones
8:42 - Dirty Tones
10:02 - Final Thoughts
11:01 - Watch Next

Affiliate Links are found in this description + comments section - clicking and purchasing items from partners will help financially support the show.

⚙️ Gear Used to Make the Show: (AFFILIATE LINKS)
Guitar + Recording:
Camera:

[Trog]

*S I L K Y*
🍭Shop NF3 @ Sweetwater + Support the Show sweetwater.sjv.io/4P4jen

[FrankRemley]

All respect to Gibson but I really enjoy seeing you detail other guitars

[mykehutchings]

Interesting to see how Trogly remarks about the two small tooling marks on an $800 PRS import. But when it's the whole bass side neck binding on a $5000 Gibson custom shop? <shrugs>

[erickleefeld]

These are some excellent mini-humbuckers. It’s a great category of pickup that people seem to overlook all the time, and treat as some kind of revolutionary sound every time they get rediscovered over the decades. The cleans sound like single-coil perfection, but when cranked up into distortion the trebles suddenly get tamed enough so they don’t slice your ears off.

[riffmania]

I would buy it in just that configuration, looks like a good beater guitar to have on the couch

[ravenheart]

I'm a PRS guy bout like trog here is a Gibson guy..I just love the feel and quality of them, I can go a year without playing one of mine and it'd still be in tune, in the case of course...I think in 20 years these will be as collectable as a Gibson but with a G string still in tune lol..pretty cool dude...

[matheuslastra]

Man this is a different guitar for prs, and I really like this pickups, here in Brasil there is a pickup brand that made mini hambuckers with ceramic magnets, but not like that, it is more used for the middle position in hsh guitars. The brand is called Sergio Rosar

[Mr.Goldbar]

Sounds basically like something between a Firebird and a Strat.
It's honestly super cool :)

[DanielBobke]

BTW - PRS did release a guitar with the NF3 pickups a few years ago (2011 through 2015)...it was in their Core line. It was just called the NF3 and it was more pricey. Of course, they also had the recent Myles Kennedy signature that had the Narrow Field MK pickups.

[cmkelly]

I own three PRS guitars, American made and offshore and they are the new standard for excellent guitars. Both the Core and SE models are head and shoulders above anything else on the market. Yes, I also have a '79 The Paul (which I LOVE) but it cannot match the PRS in quality and tone.

[STORMBREAKER_]

I see you with that Sevenfold clean sound!

[henrykimball]

I'm not a prs guy but these look good!

[erikkorhonen]

I dont think the neck plate is plastic, just coated

[leviathan_is_me]

If you REALLY wanna get in their face.... points out 2 specific tooling marks. On a Gibson, the entire board is marked up, and we get "it's part for the course." $800-2 marks, each pointed out. Many $1000s-par for the course.... 🤔

Just giving a hard time, love ya.

[andrewbecker]

I went with Gunmetal Grey, mostly because its the only color offered with a white pickgaurd. A rosewood fretboard over that satin maple neck, makes the whole package pop. 7lbs.6ozs. is a decent weight for an S type. I'm gonna get a P.R.S. ATA hardcase now that they're available.
I refuse to pay more than $949 for the guitar in the case.

[michaelsmith]

A coil tap (not split) would be nice, let them get even chimier while still being humbucking...?

[SparingLink]

Thanks for the demo of the pickups, I took the time just to listen.

[emmettmarrujo]

I can never get past the fretboard inlays on PRS guitars.. and go figure I like the old Epiphone headstocks that everyone else seems to dislike!

[randomcommenterurl]

Just got it as my first endeavor into electric guitars. Always hated the hum that amps made & this one doesn’t have any! Love the orange color & the feel of the neck. I have an old cheap amp but wanna get a nicer one, any ideas? Nothing too big, I have neighbors

[rudiyantohalim]

I was just lookin at old Yamaha Pasifica PAC 112 XJ that has a similar finish with this one. Orange plus Black pickguard and hardware, can't believe I found it here 😁