PRS Takes On a New Shape with The NF 53 and Myles Kennedy Signature
The Two New Models Grow PRS Guitars’ Bolt-On Guitar Offering
We were sworn to secrecy—but, we here at CME are amped up to share an all-new single-cutaway PRS Bolt-On Series body design with other PRS fanatics like ourselves!
Boldly expanding its Bolt-On Series of guitar offerings and Narrowfield pickup platforms, PRS Guitars has debuted two new models: the PRS NF 53 and the first-ever Myles Kennedy signature model. Both models feature new and unique versions of PRS’ Narrowfield pickups, building on years of careful study of pickup design and voicing—bringing two distinctly new guitars’ voices to life!
CME’s buying team got a sneak peek behind the curtain at a top-secret 2023 dealer event, where Paul Reed Smith himself previewed these models to dealers, who—for the first time ever—got to see these two new PRS Narrowfield pickup platforms and hear them in action!
At the event, Paul compared these models alongside the vintage guitars that inspired them, side-by-side, and the wiz behind the new sets of Narrowfield pickups provided detailed explanations of what went into the pickup design and fine-tuning, followed by a tour of the PRS factory in Stevensville, Maryland, to witness the production of these new models, firsthand!
PRS NF 53
The PRS NF 53 is a powerful guitar, combining classic tones with a modern design. Inspired by one of Paul Reed Smith’s own vintage guitars from 1953, the PRS NF 53 sports a swamp ash body, plus a 25.5”-scale length bolt-on maple neck with a maple fretboard, and is outfitted with a unique set of PRS Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) pickups.
Continuing PRS’s proprietary Narrowfield pickup platform, Narrowfield DDs trade the platform’s traditional stairstep design for a mixed magnet/steel pole piece design and a slightly deeper bobbin, helping these pickups achieve twangy, musical highs without losing too much bass. Other features include a steel plate–style bridge, PRS vintage-style tuners, and nickel hardware—all of which work together to provide precise and reliable tuning stability while promoting sustain and powerful tone!
NF 53
- PRS Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) pickups
- 25.5”-scale length bolt-on maple neck with a maple fretboard
- Swamp ash body
- Available in: Black Doghair, Blue Matteo, McCarty Tobacco Sunburst, White Doghair
Myles Kennedy Signature Model
- PRS Narrowfield MK pickups
- 25.5”-scale maple neck with a maple fretboard
- Push/pull tone control that acts as a preset tone roll-off
- Available in: Antique White (opaque), Black (opaque), Hunter's Green (opaque), Tri-Color Sunburst, Vintage Natural
PRS Myles Kennedy Signature Model
Known for his work in Alter Bridge, Slash and the Conspirators, as well as his own solo recordings, Myles Kennedy is an accomplished guitarist who brings his own blend of blues and jazz style to rock guitar playing. With a nod to historic guitar designs, the new PRS Myles Kennedy signature model is made to play like a rock machine, mirroring the guitarist’s stylistic sensibilities and giving players the potential to reach twangy, chicken-pickin’ territory, too!
The PRS Myles Kennedy signature guitar features a swamp ash body and a 22-fret, 25.5”-scale maple neck with a maple fretboard, plus two PRS Narrowfield MK pickups carefully voiced to capture the courage of humbuckers and the spank of single coils. These pickups are paired with a 5-way blade switch and a push/pull tone control that acts as a preset tone roll-off, bringing down the higher frequencies on the treble pickup so you can fully dig in. Other features include a PRS plate-style steel bridge, vintage-style locking tuners, bone nut, and Kennedy’s “Geometric Owl” logo on the headstock.
Call Chicago Music Exchange, chat us online, or come into our Lincoln Avenue showroom today to preorder either of these new bolt-on guitar offerings from PRS Guitars!
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