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Average Price: $1,395

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The PRS DC3 is a testament to the harmonious blend of vintage allure and modern innovation, making it a standout in the world of solid body electric guitars. Crafted from a flat alder body, this guitar promises a warm, resonant tone that captures the essence of single-coil magic. The trio of PRS DC3 Singlecoil pickups, inspired by the acclaimed 513 model platform, delivers a clear, expansive sound that is perfect for any musical style.

The DC3's neck, featuring the Pattern Regular carve, is a nod to PRS's legacy of exceptional craftsmanship. This design ensures a comfortable playing experience, making it feel like an old friend from the moment you pick it up. The maple neck, complemented by a maple or rosewood fretboard with ring dot inlays, offers a smooth and fast playing surface that enhances your performance.

A highlight of the DC3 is its V12 finish, a unique blend that combines the thin, resonance-friendly properties of nitro with the durability of acrylic, ensuring your guitar maintains its stunning appearance and sound quality for years. The PRS Tremolo with steel components further enhances the guitar's tonal clarity, allowing for expressive playing that's rich in character.

Whether you're performing on stage or jamming in a studio, the PRS DC3 offers versatility and reliability, making it a favorite among musicians seeking both classic tone and modern playability.

Key Features:

  • Flat alder body
  • Maple neck with bolt-on construction
  • Pattern Regular neck shape
  • Maple or rosewood fretboard with ring dot inlays
  • 22 frets
  • PRS Tremolo with steel components
  • 3 PRS DC3 Singlecoil pickups
  • 5-way blade pickup selector
  • V12 finish for durability and resonance

Product specs

Brand PRS
Model DC-3
Finish Antique White, Black, Charcoal Smokeburst, Frost Blue Metallic, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst, Powder Blue, Sapphire Smokeburst, Scarlet Smokeburst, Seafoam Green, Smoked Amber, Tri-Color Sunburst, Vintage Burst, Vintage Cherry
Year 2011 - 2015
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Model Family PRS DC-3
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series PRS Core

FAQs

What type of pickups does the PRS DC3 have and how do they affect the sound?

The PRS DC3 is equipped with three single-coil pickups, which provide a bright and clear tone, ideal for genres like blues, rock, and pop. The SSS configuration allows for versatile sound options via the 5-way blade switch.

What is the neck profile of the PRS DC3 and how does it impact playability?

The PRS DC3 features a 'pattern regular' neck profile, offering a comfortable grip for most hand sizes, which is great for both rhythm and lead playing styles.

How does the PRS DC3's tremolo bridge enhance its performance?

The PRS DC3 includes a tremolo bridge with steel parts, allowing for smooth pitch modulation and stable tuning, making it suitable for expressive playing techniques.

Is the PRS DC3 suitable for gigging musicians?

Yes, the PRS DC3 is a professional-grade guitar with high-quality components, including locking tuners and a robust tremolo system, making it reliable for live performances.

What materials are used in the construction of the PRS DC3 and what are their benefits?

The PRS DC3 features an alder body and a maple neck, providing a balanced tone with a strong midrange and excellent sustain, suitable for various musical styles.

PaulReedSmithGtrs

PaulReedSmithGtrs

DC3 Demo with J Hayes - PRS Guitars

Video thumbnail for DC3 Demo with J Hayes - PRS Guitars by PaulReedSmithGtrs

DC3 Demo with J Hayes - PRS Guitars

PaulReedSmithGtrs

PaulReedSmithGtrs

Video thumbnail for PRS DC3 @ Guitarsiam.com by GuitarSiam Thailand

PRS DC3 @ Guitarsiam.com

GuitarSiam Thailand

GuitarSiam Thailand

Video thumbnail for PRS John Mayer Silver Sky vs PRS DC3 vs PRS 305 (low and high gain) by Guitar on the rocks

PRS John Mayer Silver Sky vs PRS DC3 vs PRS 305 (low and high gain)

Guitar on the rocks

Guitar on the rocks

Video thumbnail for Paul and the New DC3 by PRS Guitars

Paul and the New DC3

PRS Guitars

PRS Guitars

Video thumbnail for Wild West Guitars - PRS DC3 Black [HD] [Stereo] by Wild West Guitars

Wild West Guitars - PRS DC3 Black [HD] [Stereo]

Wild West Guitars

Wild West Guitars

Video thumbnail for Davy Knowles checks out the PRS DC3 at Experience PRS 2010 by PRS Guitars

Davy Knowles checks out the PRS DC3 at Experience PRS 2010

PRS Guitars

PRS Guitars

Video thumbnail for PRS DC3 Clean by GUITAR PLANET CHANNEL

PRS DC3 Clean

GUITAR PLANET CHANNEL

GUITAR PLANET CHANNEL

Video thumbnail for PRS dc3  demo and review #IAmACreator by djcrimmy

PRS dc3 demo and review #IAmACreator

djcrimmy

djcrimmy

Video thumbnail for Guitar Talk - PRS Silver Sky vs PRS DC3 Comparison by Guitar Talk

Guitar Talk - PRS Silver Sky vs PRS DC3 Comparison

Guitar Talk

Guitar Talk

Video thumbnail for Guitar Talk - Paul Reed Smith DC3 Review by Guitar Talk

Guitar Talk - Paul Reed Smith DC3 Review

Guitar Talk

Guitar Talk

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PRS DC3.

Mods and upgrades

  • Klein Texas Blues pickups are praised for their warmth and versatility, offering a powerful tone that enhances the PRS DC3's performance.

    Source
  • An owner installed Klein pickups themselves, showcasing the guitar's adaptability to pickup modifications.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Klein Epic 59 pickups are compared favorably, noted for being exceptional in another guitar, suggesting high-quality tonal improvement for the PRS DC3.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners express satisfaction with Klein pickups, indicating a positive upgrade choice for those seeking enhanced tone from their PRS DC3.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Brad Delson uses PRS DC3

Brad Delson

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via YouTube

For the Living Things support tour, when the band began playing B standard songs again, Brad incorporated a PRS DC3 into his arsenal. It was modified with a PRS humbucker in the bridge.

A clear shot can be seen at 14:35 in this video.

He can also be seen using different versions in later years. A red one, and a pelham blue one with a rosewood fretboard and a single bridge humbucker.

See how Alex Feder uses PRS DC3

Alex Feder

Guitarist, Music Producer

Linkin Park

...
Verified via YouTube

At 50:43 in the Premier Guitar video titled "Linkin Park Rig Rundown with Mike Shinoda, Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell & Alex Feder (Brad Delson)," Alex Feder's tech person, Ben, discusses the PRS DC3 6-String guitar that Alex Feder uses during his performances.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use PRS DC3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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