Gamers who respect easy, elegant, well-built guitars could discover themselves enamored with the brand new PRS NF 53, impressed by certainly one of Paul Reed Smith’s favourite Fenders – a ’53 Telecaster.

You gained’t discover the newest gee-gaws or high-tech improvements on this plank. But it surely’s additionally not a clone. Somewhat, it distills the Tele’s mojo.

As supposed, the NF 53 sports activities a clear design and format – a single-cut with two pickups, two controls, and a selector. That’s it – no pull pots, locking tuners, or EQ-contour knobs. As an alternative, its physique is fabricated from swamp ash – a venerable materials with vibrant, resonant tone – and a maple neck, every thing rolling in across the eight-pound mark. The plate-style bridge is metal with brass saddles, balanced with a bone nut and vintage-style NF 53 tuners which have good, vast keys. The neck has a scarfed headstock joint, maple fretboard with 22 frets (a nod to modernity!) and silhouetted chook inlays.

PRS Narrowfield DD humbuckers give the “NF” its identify. With their taller bobbins (DD is “deep dish”), extra winds, and steel between the magnets, they produce an enormous, clear tone. Should you’re confused why they’d put humbuckers in a Tele-inspired solidbody, it’s one thing the Maryland-based firm has proved time and time once more – a great piece of wooden has quite a bit to do with tone. Thus, Narrowfield ’buckers in swamp ash is way twangier than you’d anticipate whereas additionally delivering a hum-free profit (one other Maryland connection: Telecaster grasp Danny Gatton usually used stacked-coil humbuckers in his Fenders to get among the best twang of all time).

In hand, the NF 53 has what’s generally termed a U-shaped neck profile, alluding to a form from Fender historical past that’s coming again into vogue. It’s terrifically snug, with the skilled fret work and setup you’d anticipate from PRS. Plugging in, the NF 53 proved a rockin’ beast, masking every thing from heavy crunch riffs to roots-rock, blues, nation, and extra. Higher nonetheless, the guitar’s tone was fats, daring, and vibrant, balancing classic twang with noise-free Narrowfield humbuckers. Once more, that slab of swamp ash makes an important contribution.

The NF 53 is a winner and, as soon as once more, PRS proves that excellent, no-frills craftsmanship could make a distinction on this world.

This text initially appeared in VG’s October 2023 difficulty. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.