"PRS presents an updated version of its acclaimed NF 53 guitar, the SE edition, aiming to secure the top spot for the best electric guitar under $1,000 in 2025"
PRS Introduces the Affordable SE NF 53 Electric Guitar
The PRS SE NF 53 is a new addition to the PRS family, offering a more accessible price point without compromising on quality. Priced at around $979, this guitar is a modern take on vintage tones with a bit more bite, giving it its own unique voice.
Inspired by a vintage guitar from 1953, the PRS SE NF 53 features a solid swamp ash body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a maple fretboard with 22 frets and a comfortable 25.5" scale length. The neck has a slightly larger profile with a light satin finish, providing excellent fretwork and smooth playability.
A standout feature of the SE NF 53 is the pair of PRS Narrowfield DD "S" pickups. These humbucker pickups, with tall bobbins and extra metal pieces between the magnets, offer a unique blend of single-coil clarity and humbucker power. They provide focused, powerful, and hum-free tones with a mix of Telecaster-like twang, P-90-like attack, and humbucker warmth. The humbuckers are paired with a single Volume and Tone control and a three-way pickup switch, offering versatile sound dialing.
The steel plate-style bridge with brass barrel saddles enhances sustain and resonance, while the PRS-designed tuners ensure stable tuning. The SE NF 53 is available in Black Doghair, White Doghair, and Pearl White colorways.
Early reviews of the PRS SE NF 53 have been positive, with it being described as "Tele on steroids" with a balance between single-coil and humbucker tones. It scores highly for playability, weight, and sound quality, praised for its excellent fretwork, stable tuning, and versatile tone palette.
Jack Higginbotham, PRS' Director of Sales and Marketing, explains that the SE NF 53 has been two years in the making, with a focus on the neck and pickups. He believes that the SE NF 53 is one of the best affordable electric guitars of the year.
With the PRS SE NF 53, PRS continues to push the boundaries of what an electric guitar can be. It offers a premium-feeling guitar at an accessible price point, combining classic T-style aesthetics and tone with PRS innovation, making it a strong contender for players seeking a versatile and reliable electric guitar with modern features. The PRS SE NF 53 is available now.
For more information, visit the PRS website.
Key Features and Summary:
| Feature | Details | |--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Body | Solid swamp ash, lightweight, resonant, flat-top design | | Neck and Fretboard | Bolt-on maple, 22 frets, 25.5” scale, light satin finish, slightly larger neck | | Pickups | PRS Narrowfield DD “S” humbuckers – hum-free, high-output, blend of single-coil and humbucker character | | Bridge | Steel plate-style with brass barrel saddles, enhancing sustain and clarity | | Controls | One volume, one tone, 3-way blade pickup switch | | Weight | Approx. 7.33 lbs | | Price | Around $979, significantly less than original NF 53 | | Sound Profile | Clear, articulate with a twangy snarl, versatile for clean and gain-heavy settings | | Reviews | Highly rated for playability and tone quality, suitable for gig use |
[1] PRS Guitars Official Website [2] Guitar World [3] Premier Guitar [4] Music Radar
- The PRS SE NF 53, priced at around $979, is a new electric guitar from PRS that offers a unique blend of vintage tones and a modern twist.
- The SE NF 53 features a solid swamp ash body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a maple fretboard with 22 frets, providing excellent fretwork and smooth playability.
- A standout feature of the SE NF 53 is the pair of PRS Narrowfield DD "S" pickups, offering a unique blend of single-coil clarity and humbucker power.
- The steel plate-style bridge with brass barrel saddles enhances sustain and resonance, while the PRS-designed tuners ensure stable tuning.
- Early reviews of the PRS SE NF 53 have been positive, with some describing it as "Tele on steroids" and praising its versatile tone palette, excellent fretwork, stable tuning, and playability.
- With a focus on the neck and pickups, the SE NF 53 has been two years in the making, according to Jack Higginbotham, PRS' Director of Sales and Marketing.
- For those seeking a versatile and reliable electric guitar with modern features, the PRS SE NF 53, combining classic T-style aesthetics and PRS innovation, is a strong contender among gadgets like smartphones, data-and-cloud-computing technology, and other guitars, such as Gibson's Les Paul, Fender's Telecaster, or PRS' own lineup, including SE Custom 24 and McCarty.
