How do you find the new N3 pickups? This is a question to those who have actually tried the pickups (rather than those who have merely read about them).

I played several Deluxe Strats today, all loaded with N3s and had the opportunity to A/B with a Deluxe loaded with SCNs (I also own a 50th Anniversary loaded with SCNs). I have to say I loved the N3s. In my opinion they sound much quackier and Strattier than the SCNs. The new wiring is also better, with more useful tonal possibilities.

Yet, it's interesting to find that many members of this forum are thinking of swapping their N3s with other pickups. What would be the reason for that? What is it that you don't like about the N3s?

By the way I also have a 62RI with '62 pickups and whilst I like them, I think I prefer the N3s...

Would be interesting to see what other think

My amazing wife got me a brand new American Deluxe for this last Christmas.

I also have a mim with Texas Specials, a mim ssh with the stock pups, and an ESP/LTD super strat style guitar ssh with Seymour Duncans. Of all of those options I like the sound of the N3's the best. Combine that with the S-1 switching and there are just a lot of great options to play with. I couldn't be happier with the N3's.

I'm not expert tone chaser so take my opinion for what it's worth.

I received my new Am Dlx HSS about a month ago now. It's my first strat so I can't compare it to any other. While I was researching what to get, I read different threads that lead me to believe that the Texas Specials were the hot pickups and the N3's weren't, so I considered that I might want to change the pups after I got the guitar. Now that I have it, I'm pretty happy with the range of sounds I'm able to get. My guitar is capable of a real nice quack and the S1 gives a lot of combinations. I don't plan on changing this one or ever getting rid of it.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Thats really an amazing wife.

I like my N3's.

I got a loaded Am Deluxe pickguard HSS (I think it was Strat-os-phere on Ebay either him or the other big one, can't remember the name). Figured if I didn't like it, I could sell it for what I had in it or close enough.

The neck and middle N3 sounds GREAT on my MIM.

I read where some have said they were dull and lifeless but I like the ones I have.

Your mileage may vary though. Like the other fellow said, I'm not a "tone chaser". If I like it, I play it, if I don't like it, I sell it.

The N3's are not for sale (at least not until I get bored and want to swap out for something different).

I think it all comes down to taste and what you like. For example, I have one of the best sounding Martin HD-28V's that I've ever heard. I know guys who wouldn't even think about buying it because I have a strap button on the heel of the neck and put an LR Baggs IBeam pickup in it. If it didn't leave Nazarath, PA like that, they have nothing to do with it. I think the same seems to go about Strats. If it's different than what has been done for the past 50 years, then there are guys who want no part of it.

The good news in all of this is it's a big world, plenty of room for everyone's individual tastes and when it comes to matters of taste, there are no wrong answers.

Jeff

Jeff

That was by design, as I recall. The SCNs were supposed to have some added punch to the sound, like very strong single coils but without the hum. The current layout with the N3 set uses three different magnet strengths to produce stylized single coil tones in the neck, middle and bridge. The S-1 switching is a bonus in both guitars. I love my 2010 American Deluxe, had it for a month and it's definitely a keeper. I got it to replace my stock 2004 American Standard; no regrets. Still thinking about adding one equipped with SCNs to the harem, just because.

Hmmm. Interesting. So far only praise for the N3s. Yet, I've seen a couple of threads discussing users wanting to swap their N3s for other pickups...

Adequate but nothing singular to rave over.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

I think the N3s are great.

I find I have to 'work' the pickups and tone pots more than I used to on my old strat, but the reward is that there are so many more tones on option. The S1 switch gives everything some balls (unless you're in the 5th position! )

It depends on what you're after, but I think these pickups and the S1 switching give a fantastically versatile guitar.

I think I'm going to learn to like that fifth, parallel-out-of-phase position. I REALLY like position four with S1 on AND off. I've been spending a lot of time there. The guitar is still new, so I have plenty of time to exploit the other positions.