Introduction
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple-0 acoustic-electric guitar aims to deliver the perfect blend of vintage styling and modern playability. This all-solid mahogany guitar captures the spirit of classic parlor-style instruments while incorporating contemporary refinements that today’s players demand.
Fender took inspiration from historic models to design an acoustic that looks straight out of the early 20th century, but performs like a modern professional instrument. The Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple-0 features an elegant 000 body size with traditional appointments like multi-ply binding and vintage-style inlays. However, it’s constructed using all solid tonewoods and equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system for amplified performance.
The result is an acoustic guitar that delivers rich, organic tones with the warmth and balance that players expect from premium all-mahogany construction. While the PM-3 Standard Triple-0 tips its hat to the past, it’s built for the modern guitarist who requires excellent playability, amplified versatility, and gorgeous vintage vibe. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this model such an impressive offering in Fender’s Paramount series.
Fender Paramount Series Background
The Fender Paramount Series pays homage to classic acoustic guitars of the past while incorporating modern refinements. First introduced in 2016, the Paramount line draws inspiration from vintage models with its traditional body shapes, vintage-inspired appointments, and classic acoustic tone.
Fender aimed to capture the vibe and feel of acoustic guitars from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s when designing the Paramount Series. These decades represent the golden era of acoustic guitar building, when iconic models like the Martin D-28 first emerged. While staying true to this vintage aesthetic, Fender also incorporated contemporary enhancements like cutaway body styles and built-in electronics.
Across the Paramount range, these vintage-inspired styling cues are readily apparent. Traditional body shapes like the dreadnought, auditorium, and parlor sizes echo acoustic guitars of yesteryear. Understated binding along the body and neck has an old-school appeal, as do the vintage-style inlays dotting the fretboard. The headstock shape and Fender logo also pay homage to the iconic acoustic guitar builders of the past.
While the Paramount Series as a whole embodies this marriage of vintage inspiration and modern innovation, each model puts its own spin on timeless acoustic appeal. The PM-3 Standard Triple-0 reviewed here represents an excellent balance, staying true to its acoustic heritage while incorporating just enough contemporary appointments.
Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 Specifications
The Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 features a compact yet comfortable triple-0 (000) body size. It measures 19" long, 15" wide, 4.25" deep, making it an ideal size for players looking for a highly playable smaller-bodied acoustic.
The PM-3 Standard is constructed with an all-solid mahogany body, with a solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Mahogany is known for its balanced, warm, and resonant tone. It offers good clarity across the tonal spectrum, with excellent midrange presence and rich low-end.
The neck has a comfortable "Modern C" profile that feels great in the hand. It has a rosewood fingerboard which complements the warm sound of the mahogany body. The scale length is 25.3", while the nut width is 1.69" – both optimized for playability and comfort.
The shorter 24.9" scale length makes it easy to play chords and fret notes high up on the neck, while the narrower nut facilitates quick, clean runs up and down the fingerboard. Overall, the PM-3 Standard Triple-0 is designed for outstanding comfort, tone, and musicality.
Build Quality and Craftsmanship
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple-0 features excellent build quality and attention to detail. The all-solid mahogany construction allows the top to vibrate freely, resulting in impressive volume and projection for a guitar of this size.
Fender has done an excellent job with the fretwork on this model. The medium jumbo frets are smoothly finished along the edges and ends. There are no sharp fret ends or uneven spots that can cause buzzing or dead notes. The nut slots are cleanly cut as well. Out of the box, the action is set to a very comfortable medium-low height that facilitates smooth chord changes and fast lead playing.
The guitar utilizes traditional X-bracing patterns with scalloped braces. This allows the top to vibrate freely while maintaining structural integrity. The braces are cleanly carved and smoothly sanded. There are no glue blobs or messy excess that can dampen the vibration of the top. Overall, the attention to detail in the construction and fretwork help the Paramount PM-3 Triple-0 to ring out with impressive sustain and resonance.
Unplugged Tone and Playability
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple-0 delivers impressive unplugged tone and playability that belies its compact body size. The all-solid mahogany construction produces a wonderfully warm and balanced acoustic voice. There’s a rich low-end, with articulate and projecting mids and highs.
Chords have depth and resonance, while single-note runs ring out with clarity. The mahogany lends a smooth, rounded tonality across the tonal spectrum. There’s never a sense of the tone being too boxy, muddy, or overly bright. Fingerstyle playing is rewarded with a dynamic response, allowing subtle tonal variations and nuances to come through.
The neck has a comfortable modern C-shape that accommodates various playing styles. The action is set up well out of the box, facilitating easy fretting and barre chords without buzzing. The compact scale length makes it a joy to play, especially for smaller hands. Lead lines flow smoothly up and down the neck. The PM-3 Standard feels natural and responsive, encouraging the player to dig in and explore its tonal palette.
Overall, the PM-3 Standard Triple-0 punches above its weight in terms of unplugged volume and projection. Players will appreciate its balanced, vintage-inspired voice, coupled with modern playability. This is an acoustic that feels alive and reactive under the fingers.
Electronics and Plugged-In Performance
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard comes equipped with Fishman’s PM preamp and pickup system, providing natural amplification and flexible tone shaping options. The integrated pickup utilizes a combination of undersaddle and soundhole elements to accurately capture the guitar’s balanced tone and nuanced dynamics.
The preamp’s intuitive control set allows for dialing in anything from sparkling highs to robust lows. The volume, bass, mid, and treble controls offer +/- 15dB of boost/cut, giving players the ability to craft their ideal amplified tone. There’s also a phase switch for eliminating feedback, along with a built-in chromatic tuner.
When plugged in, the Paramount PM-3 has excellent feedback rejection capabilities thanks to the undersaddle pickup placement and preamp’s notch filter. Even at higher volumes, it maintains articulation and avoids the quacky tones that can plague other acoustic-electrics. The Fishman system makes the PM-3 a reliable stage and studio companion, complementing its vintage design with modern functionality.
Appointments and Finishes
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple-0 oozes vintage style with its classic appointments and gloss finish options. This is an acoustic that looks as good as it sounds.
The vintage-inspired aesthetics start with the traditional binding along the body, neck and headstock. White binding provides an elegant contrast against the all-mahogany construction. The rosette around the soundhole has a simple and classic design that complements the vintage vibe.
The fretboard inlays follow a traditional dot pattern using small pearloid dots along the neck. This looks much more vintage than the oversized inlays found on many modern acoustics. The dots are understated yet classy.
The headstock shape itself has that classic Fender silhouette, with the highly-recognized logo printed across the top. The chrome tuners are vintage-styled open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs. They provide precise and smooth tuning stability.
When it comes to finish options, the PM-3 Standard Triple-0 is available in a few appealing gloss options. This includes a natural gloss finish that showcases the wood grain patterns of the all-mahogany body. A vintage sunburst gloss is also available for a more traditional look. The gloss polyurethane finish is thin and lets the tonewoods vibrate freely.
Overall the appointments and aesthetics give the PM-3 Standard a timeless vibe, blending vintage and modern styles seamlessly. It’s an acoustic that looks as good on stage as it sounds.
Accessories and Case
The Fender Paramount PM-3 Standard comes with a high-quality hardshell case that provides excellent protection for the guitar. The case features plush interior padding and a durable exterior shell to prevent dings, dents, and scratches during transport and storage. It’s a welcome inclusion, as a hardshell case of this quality would normally cost at least $100 if purchased separately.
The included case has locking latches, a padded handle, and molded back braces for structural rigidity. The interior is lined with soft fabric that keeps the guitar secure while preventing finish wear. The case also comes with a humidifier pack to control humidity levels and prevent the wood from drying out. Overall, the included case provides peace of mind that this all-solid wood guitar will be well protected on the road or when not in use.
While the hardshell case is the only accessory included with the guitar, there are a few complementary accessories worth recommending. A quality guitar strap can make playing the PM-3 more comfortable, especially for longer periods. The width and weight balance of the triple-0 body benefits from a strap design optimized for smaller acoustics. A humidifier is also a smart buy for any all-solid wood acoustic. It will help maintain optimal humidity levels to prevent cracking or warping of the tonewoods. Finally, a capo is a useful accessory for quickly changing keys and expanding the PM-3’s versatility.
Comparisons to Similar Models
The Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 competes closely with the higher-end Fender PM-3 Deluxe model, as well as other all-solid triple-0 acoustic guitars in its price range like the Martin 000-15M and Taylor 314ce.
Versus the Fender PM-3 Deluxe
The main differences between the PM-3 Standard and PM-3 Deluxe are in the tonewoods and appointments. The Deluxe steps things up with solid Sitka spruce top versus the Standard’s solid mahogany top. It also features fancier appointments like bone nut and saddle, abalone rosette and fretboard inlays, and an ebony fretboard and bridge. However, the Standard still shares the same all-solid wood construction and Fishman electronics. For players who want a more premium aesthetic, the Deluxe may be worth the extra cost. But the PM-3 Standard still delivers impressive looks, tone, and playability.
Compared to the Martin 000-15M
Martin’s 000-15M has a similar all-mahogany construction to the PM-3 Standard and resides in a comparable price range. As expected from a Martin, it features excellent craftsmanship and tone. The Martin may have a slight edge in prestige, while the Fender offers more modern electronics with the Fishman pickup system. The Martin has a slightly wider nut width (1.75" vs 1.69") and traditional dovetail neck joint. Overall they are well matched for their price point, appealing to players who want an all-mahogany 000 without breaking the bank.
Versus the Taylor 314ce
Taylor’s popular 314ce 000 model with V-Class bracing is another competitor. It’s priced a bit higher than the Fender and features layered rosewood back and sides rather than all-solid mahogany. The Taylor has their excellent ES2 pickup system, while the Fender has the Fishman electronics. As far as tone, the Taylor may have a bit more volume and headroom. But the Fender counters with its warmer, vintage-inspired voice. The Taylor also has their patented armrest for playing comfort. Ultimately, the Taylor caters more to players wanting modern refinements, while the Fender aims for vintage vibe and appeal.
Who is the Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 Best Suited For?
The Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 is an excellent choice for players across multiple genres and skill levels. Its compact triple-0 body size and comfortable C-shaped neck profile make it a great pick for fingerstyle and folk players who want a lightweight, well-balanced instrument. The all-mahogany construction produces warm, balanced tones perfect for blues, country, and jazz.
More advanced players will appreciate the PM-3’s excellent craftsmanship and responsiveness. The solid wood construction offers great projection and dynamic range to capture every nuance. The slick neck and low action facilitate intricate chord melodies and lead lines. Players who need to cut through a mix will enjoy the clear amplified tones from the Fishman pickup and preamp system.
Thanks to its quality appointments and Fishman electronics, the PM-3 punches above its price point. It’s a fantastic value for intermediate players or working musicians in need of a stage-ready workhorse acoustic-electric. The vintage-inspired looks also give it broad appeal across styles.
Beginners shouldn’t be deterred either – the PM-3 Standard Triple-0 offers everything a starting player needs. The compact body size and comfortable neck profile facilitate learning. The all-solid wood construction means the guitar will age well and the tone will only improve over time. Players can grow into the PM-3 Standard, getting many years of use at an affordable price.
Overall, the Fender PM-3 Standard Triple-0 hits a sweet spot between vintage appeal and modern playability. It brings premium features to an accessible price point, making it a versatile choice for players across genres from beginner to professional. The PM-3 Standard is an inspiring instrument equally at home on stage or in the studio.