🎸 PRS NF 53 in SE form — a top contender!

A fresh spin on vintage sound: PRS NF 53 in SE form — a top contender for the best electric guitar of 2025

Marking the company’s 40th anniversary. After stepping outside its comfort zone with the bold signature model from Herman Li last month, the Maryland-based brand now delivers something many players have been waiting for: the highly praised NF 53 T-style electric guitar has officially joined the affordable SE lineup.

This release has been long anticipated by PRS enthusiasts, and the result is impressive. The SE NF 53 slashes nearly $2,500 off the price of the original model while preserving the exceptional build quality, refined craftsmanship, and premium features that made the guitar.

Built with a swamp ash body, bolt-on maple neck, and maple fretboard, the guitar also features a vintage-style steel plate bridge and PRS-designed tuners. With a classic 25.5-inch scale length, this instrument delivers remarkable performance/

At the core of the guitar are the Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) pickups — a unique design that blends the bite and clarity of single coils with the noise-free power of humbuckers. The control layout remains straightforward and player-friendly, offering a single Volume knob, a Tone control, and a three-way pickup selector.

Thanks to taller bobbins, additional coil winds, and extra metal components positioned between the magnets, these pickups have earned widespread praise since their introduction and quickly became a standout feature.

Early reviews from Guitar World were particularly enthusiastic:
“Even unplugged, the guitar resonates with authority — it truly feels like a ‘Tele on steroids’. The pickups live in the space between single coils and humbuckers, offering more punch than the former and more focus than the latter, reminiscent of a great P-90 but with a slightly smoother attack.”

This tonal versatility allows the NF 53 to deliver classic Tele-style bite while confidently handling heavier, more driven sounds, making it an ideal choice for players who never fully connected with traditional T-style guitars.

Although the instrument draws inspiration from one of Paul Reed Smith’s favorite vintage guitars dating back to 1953, its electronics firmly place it in the modern era, balancing retro character with forward-looking versatility.

Jack Higginbotham, Chief Operating Officer at PRS, shares:
“We spent two years refining this guitar, paying particular attention to the neck and pickups. The SE NF 53 delivers a modern interpretation of vintage tones with extra bite and personality. It has its own distinct voice, and we believe it will inspire players and take their music in new directions.”

SE models with exotic woods, the arrival of the John Mayer-approved Charcoal Phoenix, and upgraded Private Stock instruments — with plenty more.