Quick Product Summary

The PRS NF 53 in McCarty Tobacco Sunburst is Paul Reed Smith's modern interpretation of the classic 1950s bolt-on electric, combining familiar snap, twang and immediacy with distinctive PRS construction and sophisticated hum-cancelling pickups. A swamp ash body, bolt-on maple Pattern 53 neck and maple fingerboard create a lively, articulate platform with a 25.5-inch scale and 22-fret layout.

At its heart are two USA-made PRS Narrowfield DD pickups. These Deep Dish pickups are engineered to provide clear highs, focused lows and plenty of vintage-inspired bite without the unwanted hum associated with traditional single coils. With straightforward volume and tone controls, a three-way blade selector, fixed PRS steel plate-style bridge and included PRS Premium Gig Bag, the NF 53 is a serious professional instrument for country, blues, rock, roots, pop and studio work.

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At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	PRS
Model	NF 53
Finish	McCarty Tobacco Sunburst
Condition	New
Type	Solidbody Electric Guitar
Body	Swamp Ash
Neck / Fingerboard	Maple / Maple
Pickups	2 x PRS Narrowfield DD
Scale Length	25.5"
Main Appeal	Classic bolt-on snap and twang with powerful hum-cancelling pickups
Best For	Country, blues, rock, roots, pop, studio and live performance
Included	PRS Premium Gig Bag

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What Makes the PRS NF 53 Special?

Inspired by one of Paul Reed Smith's favourite vintage guitars from 1953, the NF 53 takes the direct, responsive character of a classic bolt-on electric and reworks it through the PRS design philosophy. Its swamp ash body, bolt-on maple neck, maple fingerboard and 25.5-inch scale provide plenty of attack and definition, while the dedicated Pattern 53 neck profile gives the instrument a substantial vintage-inspired feel. The McCarty Tobacco Sunburst finish complements the traditional influence while retaining an unmistakably premium PRS appearance.

The biggest departure from a conventional vintage design comes from the Narrowfield DD pickups. Their taller Deep Dish bobbins accommodate additional windings, while the carefully engineered magnet and metal construction produces a focused, powerful response. They retain the articulate high end, bite and twang players expect from this style of guitar while operating as hum-cancelling pickups, making the NF 53 equally comfortable with pristine cleans, overdrive and more substantial levels of gain.

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Who Is It For?

The PRS NF 53 is designed for players who appreciate the simplicity and immediate response of a traditional two-pickup bolt-on guitar but want the refinement, consistency and quieter performance of modern PRS engineering.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Country guitarists looking for snap and twang

• Blues and roots musicians

• Rock and alternative players

• Pop and contemporary guitarists

• Studio and session musicians

• Players who regularly use clean and edge-of-breakup tones

• Guitarists who want single-coil-inspired definition without traditional hum

• Musicians who prefer maple fingerboards

• Players looking for a premium USA-made bolt-on guitar

• Gigging musicians who value straightforward controls and dependable hardware

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Why Choose Narrowfield Pickups?

Traditional single-coil pickups are loved for their attack, openness and dynamic response, but unwanted electrical hum can become increasingly noticeable when compression, overdrive or distortion is introduced.

The NF 53's Narrowfield DD pickups provide many of the qualities players associate with classic single-coil guitars while using a hum-cancelling design. This allows the guitar to retain clarity and bite while providing a stronger, fuller and quieter signal, particularly useful on stage and in recording environments.

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PRS NF 53 vs a Traditional T-Style Electric

A traditional T-style guitar is usually defined by its straightforward controls, fixed bridge and cutting single-coil response. The PRS NF 53 follows a similarly direct philosophy but adds PRS's Narrowfield DD hum-cancelling pickups, Pattern 53 neck, 10-inch fingerboard radius and premium USA construction. The result preserves the immediacy and twang associated with the format while offering a fuller voice, reduced noise and a distinctly PRS playing experience.

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Technical Specifications

Body

• Body Construction: Solidbody

• Body Wood: Swamp Ash

• Top Carve: Flat Top

• Finish: High-Gloss Nitro

• Colour: McCarty Tobacco Sunburst

Neck

• Neck Wood: Maple

• Neck Construction: Scarfed

• Neck / Body Joint: Bolt-On

• Neck Finish: Semi-Gloss Nitro

• Neck Shape: Pattern 53

• Scale Length: 25.5" / 647.7mm

• Number of Frets: 22

• Truss Rod: PRS Double-Acting

• Neck Depth at 1/2 Fret: 7/8"

• Neck Depth at 12 1/2 Fret: 31/32"

• Neck Width at Nut: 1 41/64"

• Neck Width at Body: 2 7/32"

Fingerboard

• Fingerboard Wood: Maple

• Fingerboard Radius: 10"

• Fingerboard Inlays: PRS Birds

• Headstock Logo: PRS Signature

• Truss Rod Cover: NF 53

Electronics

• Bridge / Treble Pickup: PRS Narrowfield DD

• Neck / Bass Pickup: PRS Narrowfield DD

• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Blade Switch

Pickup Switching

• Position 1: Bridge / Treble Pickup

• Position 2: Bridge and Neck Pickups

• Position 3: Neck / Bass Pickup

Hardware

• Bridge: PRS Steel Plate-Style

• Tuners: PRS Vintage-Style

• Hardware Finish: Nickel

• Nut: Bone

Strings & Tuning

• Factory Strings: PRS Signature 10–46

• Factory Tuning: Standard E-A-D-G-B-E

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PRS Narrowfield DD Pickups

The Narrowfield DD – or Deep Dish – pickups are central to the NF 53's identity.

Their taller bobbins allow PRS to use additional windings, while extra metal components between the magnets help focus the magnetic field and shape the overall response. The result combines clear treble, defined bass and plenty of midrange authority.

They can produce the twang and articulation associated with traditional bolt-on guitars while giving driven tones more body and substantially reducing unwanted hum.

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Pattern 53 Maple Neck

PRS developed the Pattern 53 neck profile specifically for the NF 53.

It has a more substantial vintage-inspired shape than PRS profiles such as Pattern Thin, giving players plenty to hold onto without sacrificing upper-fret usability.

The 25.5-inch scale contributes to the guitar's firm, articulate response, while the 10-inch-radius maple fingerboardprovides a comfortable middle ground for chords, bends and lead work.

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Swamp Ash Construction

The swamp ash body is an important part of the NF 53's clear and responsive character.

Combined with its maple neck and fingerboard, it creates an instrument with an immediate attack and strong note separation. Chords remain articulate while picked lines respond clearly to changes in playing dynamics.

This makes the NF 53 especially effective for styles where touch, articulation and rhythmic definition are central to the player's sound.

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PRS Steel Plate-Style Bridge

A fixed PRS steel plate-style bridge reinforces the NF 53's straightforward workhorse philosophy.

The design complements the guitar's bolt-on construction and provides the direct response, tuning stability and simplicity preferred by players who do not require a tremolo system.

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McCarty Tobacco Sunburst Finish

The McCarty Tobacco Sunburst finish gives the NF 53 a traditional aesthetic that suits its 1950s-inspired design.

Warm central colouring transitions into darker edges, allowing the natural character of the swamp ash body to remain part of the guitar's visual appeal while providing an understated vintage appearance.

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What’s Included?

• 1 x PRS NF 53 Electric Guitar in McCarty Tobacco Sunburst

• 1 x PRS Premium Gig Bag

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PRS NF 53 made in the USA?

Yes. The NF 53 is part of the PRS Maryland-made range and is built in the USA.

What inspired the PRS NF 53?

The guitar was inspired by one of Paul Reed Smith's favourite vintage guitars from 1953, with PRS developing its own interpretation of the classic bolt-on electric format.

What pickups are fitted to the NF 53?

It features two PRS Narrowfield DD pickups, with dedicated treble and bass positions.

What does DD mean?

DD stands for Deep Dish, referring to the taller pickup bobbins used within the Narrowfield design.

Are the Narrowfield DD pickups single coils?

No. They are hum-cancelling pickups designed to provide much of the clarity, bite and articulation associated with single coils without conventional single-coil hum.

Is the PRS NF 53 suitable for country music?

Yes. Its articulate attack, fixed bridge and Narrowfield pickups make it particularly strong for the clean, dynamic and twang-focused sounds often associated with country guitar.

Can the NF 53 handle rock and overdrive?

Yes. The Narrowfield DD pickups have enough body and output to respond extremely well to overdrive while retaining strong note definition.

What is the body made from?

The guitar features a solid swamp ash body with a flat-top design.

What is the neck made from?

The NF 53 has a bolt-on maple neck and maple fingerboard.

What neck profile does it use?

It features the dedicated PRS Pattern 53 neck shape, which has a more substantial vintage-inspired feel than PRS's thinner profiles.

What is the scale length?

The NF 53 uses a 25.5-inch / 647.7mm scale length, contributing to its articulate response and familiar bolt-on feel.

How many frets does the PRS NF 53 have?

It features 22 frets.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. The NF 53 uses a fixed PRS steel plate-style bridge.

What controls does it have?

The guitar has a deliberately simple layout consisting of master volume, master tone and a three-way blade pickup selector.

Does the PRS NF 53 include a gig bag?

Yes. A PRS Premium Gig Bag is included.

Is the McCarty Tobacco Sunburst a different specification from other NF 53 colours?

The finish changes the appearance rather than the fundamental construction or electronics. This model retains the swamp ash body, maple neck and fingerboard, Narrowfield DD pickups and fixed steel bridge associated with the NF 53.

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Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you are buying from an established independent UK musical instrument retailer with decades of experience helping musicians find the right equipment.

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after purchase

• Trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading your current guitar? Fair Deal Music accepts part exchange on a wide range of guitars, basses, amplifiers and other musical equipment.

Trading in your existing gear can help reduce the cost of your next purchase while avoiding the inconvenience of selling privately. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and see how much your current equipment could contribute towards this PRS NF 53.