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I don't usually do NGD's and have actually had these a week or two, but am rather enthused about them both so thought I'd share.
PRS and I have a love hate relationship; one minute we were all on (I had two Custom 22 Specials, an SC245, a 25th Anniversary SC245, a Johnny Hyland and a Studio over a two year spell), the next minute I'd sold them all as none of them really 'spoke' to me. I bought a 2014 LP Classic a few weeks back, which totally dispelled all the bad stuff I'd read about modern Gibsons as it is beautifully built (equal to any of the PRSii I'd owned), sounds killer and has the vibe you only get when you know you are playing a Gibson.
So on to this pair... The guitar on the left is a Core model NF-3, of which you don't see many; discontinued a couple of years back but I always fancied trying one in my pursuit for a do-it-all Strat. I'd experienced the NF-3 pickups previously on the Studio model, but they did nothing for me. On this platform however (flat top Korina body), wow, they really are lovely and run the full range of single coil tones through P90 through humbucker with a few twists of the volume and tone pots, which are VERY effective and have made me rethink my whole way of playing. It's very lightweight, looks lovely and understated in my opinion, and has a delightful neck - hopefully a keeper.
The guitar on the right is mainly for a bit of fun, but I got it for a good price and think it is a bit of a looker. I've never had an SE before and the quality and playability of this is shockingly good and its an awful lot of guitar for the money. Apparently only 100 of were made and it has a USA Bigsby & USA locking tuners factory fitted, beautifully playable ebony 'board with birds and aftermarket bridge rollers. Possibly needs a pickup upgrade along the line (maybe HC sized P90s, and nickel covers would suit the overall style of the guitar better), but otherwise a really lovely guitar.
I just need to read up now on how to set Bigsbys up to stay in tune better...
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Comments
Wot Dave said^
Just the Teflon tusq nut missing then as it already has roller saddles and a top notch set of locking tuners. I'll get the strings stretched in properly and take it from there; I'd only use it very lightly anyway.
**Signed up to reply to a few comments regarding the shop, had a look about....decided to stick around! Opinions are my own and do not represent the views of Guitar Village.**
steve@guitarvillage.com | www.guitarvillage.co.uk
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Nice guitars though... I think the these newer lower ranges are much more enticing that the frilly knickers jobbies...
I had an original '69 Bigsby Tele and you could divebomb it, or as close as the bend range would allow with a taller spring fitted, and it was absolutely rock-solid. Similar or close with most others I've had.
The "problem" with Bigsbys is that they're usually fitted to guitars with wide headstocks and sharp nut angles, and/or with floating bridges that move about or fixed tune-o-matics that don't move enough. There's nothing wrong with a Bigsby at all, and all those other problems can be overcome to an extent - the headstock shape being the hardest, although a really well-cut nut with flared grooves will usually do it.
That PRS should be as stable as a Bigsby Tele, since it has a straight string pull on all six strings and unlike the Tele it doesn't even have a string tree.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Those guitars are like hot transsexuals... I know I shouldn't find them attractive (being as they're men/PRSs) but I can't help liking the look of them.