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I've been playing since 1963. I've had MANY Strats. Love the shape, control layout and (most of the time) playability, but I could never get the pickups right no matter how many I swapped out. The Narrowfield PU's have solved that problem. 800 bucks? Yikes! I'd advise you to jump on this like a hobo on a hot dog! I had a Silver Sky SE, this thing is way better and it's never getting sold. I always swap tuners to Hipshot lockers and install Dunlop strap lock buttons, but that, and a bit of bridge tweaking, is all it needed. (The OEM tuners actually are very smooth and accurate, but who wants to crank a peg a million times when 3 or 4 will do it?) I never particularly liked the 2+4 settings on the Strat, but on this they are fantastic, especially the neck/middle. I use 007-038 strings and I have great low action sans any buzzes. 10" radius vs. the 8.5 on the Silver Sky SE is much better. Indonesia is making great guitars these days, especially when supervised by a good company like PRS. At $799, this thing is as perfect as it gets. I can't imagine how much better PRS can make a guitar that sells for $15,000!!!

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Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

I'm blessed to have a number of excellent guitars but found myself in need of something in the strat family. I tend to do a ton of research when choosing an instrument and did quite a bit in comparing some of the strat-type offerings from some of the better quality manufacturers. I own a Fender Telecaster which is a great instrument, so my first thought was to take a look at their strat line. That said, nothing really spoke to me (note, I wasn't looking at their American offerings, simply because of pricing as well as the fact that I play live quite a bit and I didn't want to have to "worry" about leaving a $2000 instrument on stage).I happened to see the PRS NF3 online and decided to investigate. I knew that PRS has an incredible quality control system as well as any outstanding reputation for making a quality instrument. I've been a huge fan of my other PRS models. At first, I wasnt sure about their Nearfield pickups being able to quack the same way a single coil does in the 2 and 4 position. Got the guitar yesterday and I can confidently say, this guitar checks every box. The pickups are spectacular. Absolutely zero noise, incredibly articulate and true strat quack in those positions. Additionally, they offer a bridge pickup tone that is not just usable but glorious. Massive yet vintage tone, exceptional note bloom and excellent balance. In fact, every position is exceptional. The build quality is something you'd expect from an instrument double the price. Perfect frets, zero sprout (mine was actually built in July '24 so its been in a warehouse for over a year which means if those frets were going to sprout, it would have happened already).The guitar came set up well, though I did lower the saddles slightly and experienced no buzz at all. As for playability, its gorgeous. The unfinished neck/fretboard feels wonderful and I bonded with this guitar within a half hour. The body is resonant and the fit and finish is perfect. If you're on the fence about this model, I can confidently say you'll be very glad you pulled the trigger. Its quite possibly the perfect guitar. PRS should be lauded for building one of the finest guitars available at an incredible price point. This NF3 will likely become my #1.

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I was kind of unsure when I purchased the guitar because most of the reviews I seen only showcase one style of music, but I finally got the chance to play it at church. We play so many different styles of music at my church and this guitar performed very well. I think I like this guitar

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I’ve owned a lot of guitars in my life and most the music stores closed and went out of business.I reallly like zZounds but have had some issues that weren’t zZounds fault just bad QC from the manufacturers. Prices keep going up on guitars and then you get it and is fret sprout ,QC issues like tool marks,high frets ,finish cracks ,or actual cracks.This PRS cost half or almost half of other guitars I have purchased with QC issues.I’ve never been into PRS guitars ,but always heard their QC is really great.I had had my eye on this model most this year finding faults with it mainly one being the birds and it it’s a PRS. Was my birthday and thought I needed another Strat style guitar so got this not knowing what to think.Is it the best guitar I’ve ever owned ,or presently own?No .I will say it’s the only guitar that showed up totally

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So I'm giving it high stars because it's definitely a quality guitar. But everyone has their taste... and this isn't mine. First... the pickups have a unique tone. And that will be hit or miss with people. They seem aimed at the widest audience possible... I'd prefer something a bit more vintage sounding. The neck is great and feels great to play. The volume know acts differently than on my other guitars. It's not a smooth drop off... more like steps and finding sweet spots. You can definitely get great sounds out of this guitar... but the pickups, in my opinion are ugly, and almost sound single coil, almost sound p90, without hum. It just wasn't for me. I like my tele sounds from my tele, my strat sounds from my strat, my screaming lead sound from my ibanez, and nice vintage sounding humbuckers on a les paul. This hits and misses in my opinion, while kinda doing it all.