NF 53
The PRS NF 53 is a powerful guitar that combines classic tones with modern design. Inspired by one of Paul Reed Smith’s vintage guitars from 1953, the PRS NF 53 combines a swamp ash body and 22-fret, 25.5” scale length bolt-on maple neck with maple fretboard with a special set of PRS Narrowfield pickups. The PRS Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) pickups are made with taller bobbins to fit more winds and extra metal pieces in between the magnets for a more focused, powerful tone.
“I am so pleased with the feedback from the artists who have played this guitar – everyone is telling us that we have something special here,” said Paul Reed Smith. “If you are a fan of this style and tone, the NF 53 will take you where you want to go. To me to have this kind of beautiful high end without the hum is game changing.”
Paired with a volume and tone control and 3-way blade pickup switch, the NF 53 allows players to easily dial in their sound. The steel plate-style bridge, PRS vintage style tuners, and nickel hardware all work together to provide precise and reliable tuning stability while promoting sustain and powerful tone.
Whether you are a seasoned player or just starting out, the PRS NF 53 is an addictive guitar you won’t want to put down.
Featured Specifications
PRS Plate-Style Bridge, Steel
Plate-style design made with steel for lively tone and brass saddles for sustain and tuning fidelity.
Vintage-Style Tuners (NF 53)
Traditional vintage style, closed back tuners with unplated brass shafts for direct string contact. Featuring proprietary PRS button design.
PRS Narrowfield DD Pickups
“Deep Dish” pickups with a mixed magnet/steel pole piece design that deliver musical highs without losing bass and becoming anemic.
Specifications
| Body | |
| Body Construction | Solidbody |
| Body Wood | Swamp Ash |
| Top Carve | Flat Top |
| Neck | |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Neck Construction | Scarfed |
| Truss Rod | PRS Double-Acting |
| Neck Shape | Pattern 53 |
| Neck Depth at the 1/2 Fret | 7/8" |
| Neck Depth at the 12 1/2 Fret | 31/32" |
| Neck Width at the Nut | 1 41/64" |
| Neck Width at the Body | 2 7/32" |
| Fretboard Wood | Maple |
| Fretboard Radius | 10" |
| Fretboard Inlay | Birds |
| Headstock Logo | Signature |
| Neck/Body Assembly | |
| Neck/Body Assembly Type | Bolt-On |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | PRS Plate Style, Steel |
| Tuners | Vintage-Style |
| Hardware Type | Nickel |
| Nut | Bone |
| Truss Rod Cover | NF 53 |
| Electronics | |
| Treble Pickup | Narrowfield DD |
| Bass Pickup | Narrowfield DD |
| Controls | Volume and Tone Controls with 3-Way Blade Pickup Switch |
| Additional Info | |
| Strings | PRS Signature 10-46 |
| Tuning | Standard (6 String): E, A, D, G, B, E |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag |
Controls
NF 53 - Controls Description
Position 1 (Switch Down): Treble
Position 2 (Switch Middle): Both Pickups
Position 3 (Switch Up): Bass
Colors
Black
Black Doghair
Blue Matteo
McCarty Tobacco Sunburst
White Doghair
Accolades
“Having been a huge fan of PRS for many years, I was ecstatic to hear about the NF53 model. Once I got my hands on it, it quickly became my favorite guitar I have ever played. The playability, per PRS standards, is second to none and I’ve never encountered a more versatile instrument. It has everything I could ever need or want from an electric guitar. Twangy and beefy…smooth and crystal clear: the NF 53 is a total game changer! PRS have knocked it out of the park yet again!”
- Trey Hensley
“The NF 53 can scream, twang, or sing with subtlety. It’s responsive and touch sensitive—the notes are simply jumping out of this thing. On the stage and in the studio, getting single coil tones with zero hum thanks to the Narrowfield pickups is a game changer. The neck is the perfect amount of chunk. It can more than handle any gig and it’s just a blast to play.”
- Rick Lollar
“As a professional musician, I have played countless guitars over the years. From the moment I picked up the new NF53, I knew I was holding something special. The body pays tribute to the classic Telecaster design but with modern contours that make it more comfortable. The neck is smooth, comfortable, and the playability is exceptional. The pickups deliver a modern, punchy tone that's perfect for rock, blues or jazz, but it still retains that classic Tele twang. I can’t recommend the NF53 enough. It’s a top-quality instrument that's perfect for any serious musician.”
- Mike Seal
“Absolutely blown away! As a huge fan of T style guitars, this checks all the boxes. It can twang, it can rock - I’d take this on any gig that got thrown my way knowing I could cover tons of ground with it. As I’ve come to expect from every PRS - exceptional fit and finish and plays like a dream!”
- Seth Rosenbloom
“The new PRS NF 53 is as fun to play as it is to look at. A modern take on a classic. The feel of this guitar is as comfortable as I’ve come to expect from PRS and the tone is warm, woody and articulate. It has immediately found a home in my arsenal as a go to guitar and I have no reason to believe that will change anytime soon!”
- Kevin Arrowsmith, Luke Bryan
"What more need be said: the NF53 simply blew me away…and continues to every time I plug in! This is an exciting chapter in the PRS story and one you need to check out! Congratulations to Paul and staff - well done!
- Dan Weller, Tyler Hubbard
