The PRS NF53- Did Paul FINALLY Build A True Country Guitar? (First Notes)

[@Guitargate]

I did NOT expect the pickups to be so microphonic. Next level transparency indeed!

[@overtonesnteatime198]

that thing is dirty and i need it now

[@ArticLight14]

Fender amp?

[@hangingchad_]

Damn it Michael! I thought I got away without being convinced to buy one of these, until you came along and dropped this video. Bye bye $3000.💸🤦‍♂️🤣

[@Seastone84]

Un-potted pups?

[@agork]

Sounds like a Boogie

[@rkoz55]

So glad you got the NF-53, the review I was waiting for! love my Tele, love my Les Paul, I'm thinking this could slip right in between.

[@LaminarSound]

Holy shit the more I hear this guitar the more I like it. It's like it definitely sounds like a Tele, but also has it's own thing at the same time. Something gnarly about it. Has the snap and twang of a Tele, but also something else thats hard to quantify. And zero hum lord Jesus thank you.

[@ThePandaProcrastinates]

Sounds great, microphonics and all. Keep it! Great addition to you Silver Sky and 594!

[@Dave-gf3kd]

Michael, I learned a LOT just watching you play! I know that wasn’t your intent…but all kinds of technique to observe in this video!

[@susana5052]

@Michael Palmisano I just found you about 30 minutes ago! Subbed immediately! I like the way you explain the process. Example: “this little spot. I so understand and hear it!❤👍 I look forward to your posts. I have lived with and for the music industry for a long time. I do appreciate those “little” things. My friends taught me a lot either by my friends recording in our studio or just listening to the whole process. You bring back great memories. Thanks again Michael.

[@Guitargate]

Love it! Welcome my friend!

[@williamriggin2803]

Well it sure as hell inspired you to play your ass off today. Looks like Paul's got a winner! Over here on the eastern shore, when we saw the first PRS we thought the neck birds were seagulls all the way down.

[@Riess-e4z]

right around 6:20 i think I bat came flying in man lol Love your stuff ben playing 6 months now and I can play most chord progressions with some what of ease and man is it fun. I am on your website as well.

[@recub13]

The S2 Vela has been overlooked for years. They lifted the tailpiece from it for the NF. And it’s HB / SC setup. Very tele inspired minus the offset dual cut. Available both solid and semi hollow. Plus it’s half the price of the NF.

[@JELIFISH19]

It's a different bridge. The Vela has an aluminum plate and the NF53 has a steel plate. The Vela pickups are also not like a Tele at all. The construction also isn't like a Tele at all. I love my Vela but it's nothing like a Tele and could not replace one.

[@recub13]

@@JELIFISH19 yeah definitely not the same. My point was the Vela at 1500$ has a lot to offer and similar in build. The NF seems like an S2 level guitar and not a core with 3k price tag. I also found it interesting the MK version of the NF actually varies in that the neck to body location is different. The MK scale Although the same is shifted towards the back of the guitar. It’s not uncommon with PRS but usually that is when comparing a custom 22 vs a 24. These have the same number of frets.

[@JELIFISH19]

@@recub13 there's nothing similar about the build. The price is in the same range as the Fiore and Silver Sky and other bolt-ons. The bolt-ons range from $2500 to $2900. The cores start at $4260. So there's a pretty big price difference between the regular cores and the bolt-ons. This isn't in the core price range.

[@BrianDonnelly68]

@@JELIFISH19 The PRS literally says "steel plate-style bridge" on their Vela page. I own a Vela. Love it. Although I've always thought of it more as an SG/tele poor man's DGT hybrid than anything specifically tele.

[@JELIFISH19]

@@BrianDonnelly68 they just changed it a few months ago. Vela's made before 2023 have an aluminum bridge plate.

[@matthewf1979]

My favorite part of this guitar is the pickups. Very Barden-esque.

[@keltone]

Whoa! I know it's familiar but that body is beautiful! Bright attack in the tone, well done Paul. It's on my list definitely.

[@BoomerBends]

@ 1:24 We saw what you did there ;) Great video. Great guitar!

[@markhopkinsmusic]

Very cool, brother! I gotta stop by and play that thang.

[@spincast01]

What a beast!! 💪 beautiful guitar.

[@caseypadden9941]

For the love of god... at the very least, please let us know your amp in use for this!!! Sounds perfect.

[@austinmccandless7722]

Love the shirt

[@lucasguymusic]

Holy shit bro....This is Michael's just "fuckin around" kind of jammin....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌🙌🙌

[@optimalix]

That metal section put a smile on my face 😂 you sure had fun with it, great playing and sounds. What amp where you using if I may ask?

[@DamYankee]

Congrats on 500k subs

[@blanejohnson9045]

PRs has had the Johnny highland sig out for a while, a Brent Mason signature.. they’ve been pumping out versatile country guitars for a min

[@knutnskar6796]

I believe Kiesel also has a JH signature as well

[@Durmomo0]

This is by far the best demo on this guitar I have seen. It seems like its a very cool guitar but its pretty expensive and I already have a tele. Maybe some day there will be an SE version. At first I thought it was kind of ugly but im coming around on it. The maple neck looks great on it. I dont remember the details but is this close to the guitar Paul said would never be made or was that more of a heavy guitar?

[@CyberneticArgumentCreator]

Paul said NO ONE would make it, and I think he was referring to a super strat with a floyd rose and some other specific features.

[@johnmm777]

Best review yet!

[@DaveMarket]

Nice! I liked the Guitar sweet "spot". To me it sounded like cone cry. lovely. I am guessing the tailpiece has a LOT to do with the sweet spot. BTW, what amp/speaker are you using? Thanks!

[@imacmadman22]

Neck (bass) pickups will feed back easier because the strings are looser and therefore can vibrate (sympathetically) freely than bridge (treble) pickups. I like the design of the guitar except for the maple fingerboard, but as with many players, the full fat (Core) version is completely out of my reach and I'll have to wait for the SE version.

[@manyvibes1540]

🥳PRS🎉

[@HillcrestGames]

That pickup isn't supposed to be microphonic is it? I think that's a defect that PRS solves for you if you notify them. (sends a pickup and pays for it to be replaced)

[@Guitargate]

I doubt it!

[@TyCorr]

That guitar would be a tonal marriage made in heaven to play collective souls heavy on. Perfect midrange and attack for snappy rhythm parts and screaming lead tones

[@Guitargate]

yesssssss

[@Mpcoluv]

I have one of these in The white doghair. It’s the best sounding guitar I own.

[@JustinGessner]

Typo in the title! 😝 love your stuff man can’t wait to get one of these!

[@Guitargate]

My bad

[@JustinGessner]

No worries at all man maybe the guitars nickname is narrowtele!!!

[@Crussman499]

I'm still going to get a Johnny Hiland kiesel.

[@phishphan5732]

Loosing the pick guard and a darker neck finish, that would look killer.

[@alextanouye5033]

10:10 Would you please explain what you are doing here with your right hand (I think) to get these harmonics? What sorcery is this?

[@fpsgamer357]

Pinch harmonics I bet

[@jeffreyduncan989]

It seems to be somewhere in between a less Paul junior and a tele. Those pickups definitely don’t don’t sound like a tele. They seem to be a little more mid forward

[@7plagues881]

I thought PRS had the Johnny Hyland signature model years ago. I know Johnny had a contract with Music Man in the past. Last I heard he was with Kiesel.

[@mflee6590]

Jimmy herring blistering tone on that high end

[@camodup]

I love it!

[@curttitus405]

W-O-W !! That things screams!!😂 I love it 😊

[@Jonathan-L]

7:40 ... I'm not a gear-guy either, but maybe that sound you're referring to is a tube that's become 'microphonic'? ... Or maybe you're not using a tube amp?

[@beauripp1456]

Sounds good

[@russcondrich4868]

Michael sounds really good, what amp are you using? any pedals? thanks as that was a very fair review

[@khund03]

Love the "Crazy Hair" videos 😛 the most Mr. Michael \m/

[@Guitargate]

Yesssss

[@byronnorris9000]

I love the concept, and I am a huge PRS fan. With that being said....... too pricey compared to all the options nowadays. I get and mostly agree with the argument on all sides, but with technology and so many T styles I believe PRS could have really brought on the revolution at this price point.

[@freshante4903]

They came out and said they charge so much for it because people will pay it. Once they get a year of money out of that market, they will probably make a S2 or SE version that maybe the rest of us can afford.

[@Guitargate]

What would you want done differently?

[@byronnorris9000]

I know he was going for that '53. Maybe bring in some of the powerhouse tele guys to dial in the pickups much like Mayer did with silver sky. I just feel at the price they are asking; give something that isn't all over the market already. Do not mistake me I love PRS and love the feel of this guitar, yet it sits in the same realm with t styles that can be obtained for a lot less.

[@bigtguitars7312]

Or did he build a tele?

[@smelltheglove2038]

Not really. It’s sorta shaped like one, but it doesn’t have the bridge pickup in the bridge. That’s what makes the telecaster a telecaster.

[@hangingchad_]

@@smelltheglove2038Is it, though? I've heard so many different characteristics that are supposedly required for it to be called a Tele. I think it just needs to have a Tele shaped body. I don't think the NF53 counts, and I don't think it was going for that in the first place.

[@treetops1563]

what part of MD are you in MIchael?

[@theothermw]

This sounded better on metal than country

[@perpersson1072]

what guitar cables do you use i use george L cabels that will even get more bite to any guitar no mater what used them for over 25 years best cabels ever monster cables naa still have that nasal sound of mid range and i dont like that on any guitar

[@smalltown2223]

I’m loving this. But please PRS, less gaudy and more classic colours and finishes, a rosewood board option and drop the bird inlays. Needs to be an SE version too instead of the overpriced one in this video.

[@jrn9872]

Yes, you gave it its true t-tone!

[@billgreen3629]

I would have thought the Myles Kennedy would have been closer to what you are looking for.

[@Guitargate]

Isn’t that the same guitar?

[@hinnelein1]

@@Guitargateit’s not the same guitar. It has a 5 way pickup selector for example

[@billgreen3629]

@@Guitargate Similar, but no. The MK has beefier/fuller/fatter sounding pickups, a five-way pickup switch, and a slightly fuller neck. NF53 is a PRS Tele (in the same way that the Silver Sky and Fiore are PRS Strats -- you know what I mean). The MK is that mythical "Tele on steroids, but not a Les Paul." They are both equally awesome, just different.

[@Guitargate]

@@billgreen3629 AHH - Ok might have to try one!

[@RB-oc7ti]

Myles Kennedy’s signature guitar is suited to how and what he likes to play. He plays alot of bluesy, jazzy, Americana styles in his solo work, and more classic rock style with bluesy licks in his guitar parts in AlterBridge. His signature PRS allows him to record and play live many different styles of songs without having to change guitars as often. I don’t know enough about guitars to say his signature suits more people generally than the NF53 does? They are similar in many respects, but Myles is specifically designed for him.

[@tomfoolery2082]

Does it look like a gibson L6 a lil bit ? Just me?

[@notrightnow3995]

First view immediately transitioned from “cool demo by some random dude” to “concentrate on what his right hand is doing”. Secondary to that, I wish all reviews were like this. Most of us will be noodling in the garage or den and not running through decent studio production.

[@jagged_little_phil]

It's like a tele that just went through puberty and its voice is a little deeper. The more I hear this thing the more I like it.

[@DaveRodriguez]

Stank face started coming out in that middle position.

[@Guitargate]

Mm hmmm

[@moose6666]

Nice demo! Great sounds!! Paul did not finally build a country guitar though. Leo Fender did it over at G&L. It's a shame that so many people overlook G&L. I'm not trying to take anything away from that PRS though. It sounds great

[@stryguy]

G&L is not PRS - I don't even like PRS' but you're missing the entire point of the comment..there are plenty of "Country" guitars out there from a plethora of builders, however, this is the first PRS has produced.

[@mrpaiute9013]

​@@stryguy Tonewood grandpa is again taking suckers' money. This guy is right, there is everything to be found in G&L at half the price of PRS, and you won't end up with an ugly, overpriced guitar

[@stryguy]

@@mrpaiute9013 You, too, are missing the entire point of both my comment as well as the one I was referring to. You should re-read what I said and then ask yourself how your reply is in any way relevant to what I was saying. Spoiler alert: It's not.

[@cuatro336]

I can really hear the intricacies of that guitar through my phone speaker on the toilet. So naturally I need to have an opinion on it, like everyone else on the internet. I want one. Think the high notes are the guitar saying, "Keep it up, and I'll hurt you."

[@theothermw]

Is that a bird or a bat at 6:17?

[@tdc_2021]

Bat

[@brianvigneau2074]

That guitar buzzes at the right time! And sings at the wrong!

[@wademcreynolds7428]

Recording of voice is way too quiet relative to the guitar

[@chriswatts9227]

Michael did admit in a video about a certain pedal that he doesn't know what compression is!

[@DarylMorse-jj9ge]

Hey Michael check out the greatest guitar player on this planet Gerry quigley I know you don’t take these requests unless subscribed to your guitar gate but honestly this man will blow your fkn mind he is a Irish legend check his playing at the Rory Gallagher festival a guitarists guitarist

[@wyattdaniels9667]

Would love you to do a review on Dave Mathew’s and warren Hayes Cortez the killer love the vids keep it up

[@wyattdaniels9667]

⁠let’s do it

[@richardmckrell4899]

When they send you a free guitar to demo, the video is a paid advertisement.

[@mikesharpsongs]

WHAT?!?!?!?!

[@zvonimirsarcevic7928]

Michael ..what have you been drinking? :)

[@andrewbecker3700]

Sympathetic frequencies. All guitars have some. But they're not in pleasant ranges. Finding examples that ring out, in the range your playing. Opens up a whole nother realm of possibilities. Thats why Carlos Santana had PRS build him a custom guitar. He said it excentuated his style of playing, and the frequency ranges he was using for "Smooth". Seems to have worked out pretty well, no? Meatheads that try'n discredit things they can't understand, are everywhere nowadays. They're usually trying to sell you something. Maybe not every player can scientifically explain how or why, a guitar sounds special. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know when it sounds "good". Trust your ears, not screw tube.

[@joeldowdy404]

Leo's guitar is still better than Paul's. Hands down.

[@psofoss]

you had a faulty neck pickup i guess

[@estimatora1419]

Sounds thin. Sounds more like a metal sounding guitar. Hate to say it but an American telecaster is better and probably 1/3 the price. I like PRS I have a custom 22 and Iove it. But I wouldn’t buy this one

[@johnbach2380]

Amazing how you can say this, when there was no AB comparison of an American telecaster through his rig, and whatever he's picking up in the microphone he's using.

[@garethmurphy8235]

​​@johnbach2380 What's even the slightest bit amazing about that comment? We all know what a Tele sounds like... Don't we?

[@johnbach2380]

@@garethmurphy8235 you think all teles are fat sounding thick guitars? Sorry that is easily discounted as bull. And yeah a tele would still be a prisoner to the amp and how the sound was captured. So the only fair test would be to a b test with the same rig and circumstances. Oh wow such insane logic... buuut all teles sound the same no matter what derp derp. Is that your reply?

[@estimatora1419]

@@johnbach2380 everyone I played and have heard sounds better than This PRS. Just my opinion

[@johnbach2380]

@@estimatora1419 yes. Every guitar ive played sounds better through monitors and amps than a guy in an open garage playing a guitar through KZbin on my phone. What an amazing adept and deep breakdown of guitar tone.

[@santafredny6575]

Is this what bliss looks like? lol

[@scrinbot]

Sounds pretty good, but over 3.000$ ? nah

[@peterball6097]

.....and you need to change the video title....its an NF53 not a NT53 😂

[@Guitargate]

Yup. Fat fingered it.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

That headstock! 🤮

[@Nightjar726]

You don’t know anything but PRS sent you the guitar. 🤦‍♂️

[@garethmurphy8235]

I guess I am probably biased because to me PRS has always been the third wheel.... and always will be. However, at least with the 594 and Customs you are getting something purely PRS. To me, this and the Silver Sky are just overpriced versions of other guitars that do the same thing significanly better at a much better price point. You just know there were meetings amongst the PRS brass where they said.. "Most of the marketplace that wants a PRS already has one by now.. Let's steal someone else's successful idea and sell it to all the PRS fanboys out there"... I guess there is nothing wrong with that if you want to spend your money there, but to me it is kind of a scummy move on the part of PRS. Lots of respect lost. Just my humble opinion..

[@garethmurphy8235]

Is this a Bot?

[@antonellagaspari599]

Let's say Paul completely failed this one...ugly expansive and not so great sounding,who needs it?

[@dariusztadek4191]

fack prs

[@janjablonsky]

An excellent guitar forced to sound like shit.

[@fragslap5229]

Pfft! Who cares? The average NON-guitarist listener couldn't tell the difference between country played on a Flying V versus an Aliexpress Chinacaster.

[@matt-fn9gr]

You leave the Flying V country guitar out of this

[@4842396]

Definitely the person playing on a flying v or a chinacaster

[@Guitargate]

I kind of agree :)

[@jasonferguson6354]

Led Zeppelin’s first album is all Tele. Is that a country album? 😮 the term “country guitar” makes no sense and is just not accurate for the genre as a whole. Thanks for your channel and keep it up !

[@rastamon5969]

Play some metal😂