After 3 Years, was the NOVO worth it? | Serus T Review

After 3 years of Novo ownership I just wanted to go over my experience, and talk about this guitar and its features
My Instagram: / the_sound_coop
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:25 Playthru
1:53 First Novo
3:08 The Neck
4:19 The Relic Work
7:03 4-Way-Switch
9:17 The Problem
11:16 Conclusion
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[@Smokymon]

Excellent guitar review. Absolutely love the content!!! Looking forward to your next video.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thank you much! I'll have another one for ya soon

[@barryavner]

I’ve been seeing these guitars everywhere since you got yours, they all have a ton of character.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Ya, so many amazing designs. And wonderful attention to detail. It's a good time to be a guitarist 🙌

[@mmckinney525]

Man, does this mirror my own experience. I was very traditional in shape preference, headstocks, etc. I had a few excursions with Music Man which had become my preferred brand. A pal, after months of praise and his collection of some 5 Novos, convinced me to buy one of his, a Gold Sectis. It was so so so good. Everything was perfect. I loved that guitar. My playing slowed a lot and I wound up selling it later. I have regretted it ever since. I recently bought a Miris from the same pal and it may well be better that the Sectis. I have tried other boutiques since the Sectis but, while most have been excellent, I don’t think anyone quite has the formula as well as Novo… at least none I have tried. Bilt is on my shortlist. There is a small builder called Barron Wesley guitars that makes a phenomenal PRS/Gibson type guitar (with a strat-ish model hinted at just today). It’s a scary and interesting world once you dip your toes into boutiques. That said, you WILL NOT go wrong with a Novo.

[@TheSoundCoop]

They are such cool guitars! It sure is a good time to be a guitar player!!! 🙌🏻

[@lorenzo-agnes]

Just got my Serus J a week ago and it's instantly my favorite playing, sounding and feeling guitar. I'm blessed to have several excellent guitars from the big names, but my Novo is simply at another level. Loved the video!

[@TheSoundCoop]

This is my experience exactly. If you have an IG post up the link or send it in a DM. I'd love to see pics of your Novo. Cheers brother!

[@lorenzo-agnes]

@@TheSoundCoop Will do!

[@mikegreen2417]

Love this!!!

[@TheSoundCoop]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike 🙌🏻

[@Prettynoise]

Really want a Novo. This review pushed me forward

[@TheSoundCoop]

They are really nice guitars. I stray away often, but every time I come back, I'm reminded the Novo is truly the cream of the crop. I cannot get any of my other guitars to play as well as the Novo. I can get them close. But the Novo is absolutely perfect. I hope you find a way to get one into your collection.

[@CunoWiederhold]

After looking at the bigger picture, Novo seems to have done it right. I mean everyone that has played or own one really love them! I've dabbled in guitars since the 70s and have that "love-hate" relationship with them. I'm marginal at best but do appreciate all the elements that make up (you know, the sum total of its parts) the Novo guitar. Me, I'm now into "offsets" and think they're really cool. I don't know of anyone that owns just one guitar, it's like that old "Lay's" potato chip commercial "Ya can't eat just one" I was on the fence about getting a Fender Jazzmaster American II (and maybe still will) but it's like anything else, if you really want something bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. I know that one day, I too will have a Novo, it's destiny, or is it kismet? Who knows, but I love fat tones, jangle tones, reverb, tremolo, and chunky tones. I hope that they keep on making these guitars unique, playable, and have that tone we all seek! Meanwhile, I'll just appreciate what I have, while lusting at what others have. It's the way of the world!

[@TheSoundCoop]

It truly is an amazing guitar. What I wouldn't give to have an identical level of fit and playability from my Strat necks. I'm sure there are other companies out there that can do an equally good job. I just haven't found them yet 😂 Cheers brother 🙌🏻

[@ericengel4573]

Great video. I recently picked up a Solus M1 (used) for a pretty good deal. I figured I'd just check it out to see what the fuss was about and then probably flip it. But goddamn it if I'm not checking Reverb everyday now for another Novo that I can't afford.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Haha. This sounds so familiar! The playability is so darn nice!!! I have several guitars where the action is just amazing. But somehow or another the Novo is just a hair better. It doesn't matter what I do setup wise to my other guitars. I can't get any of them to play like the Novo. I can get them really close but that last 5% is really difficult to achieve and Fano nails it. Do you by chance have an IG where I can see pics of your Solus? Regardless, thanks for watching and leaving a comment 🙌🏻

[@ericengel4573]

@@TheSoundCoop I have an IG but haven't been on it for a while and don't have any pics of the solus up there. If I do end up posting one, I'll let ya know. And yeah, the neck on the guitar is fantastic--beautifully flamed too.

[@JTHeidrick]

A spot-on correct review, for anyone considering a Novo. My problem with Novo guitars.... I got one used, then had to buy another one, then a 3rd. All are different configurations. The biggest problem: I ordered a totally custom Miris J. That should be enough.....or is it?

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thank so much!!! But dude, it's never enough. All of the things, ASAP 🤣😜

[@dm6string]

Man what a great guitar! I'm a tele guy mostly but progressing towards Jazzmasters/Jaguars body shapes. I have tried a number to bridge pickups, but for me the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder is the one that smooths the highs but can still spank it like it should. It is a hotter pickup but I play with the volume around 7-8 and its mellows nicely, but it at 10 it can really push for a more P-90-like breakup(think early Agnus Young). I'm looking hard at the Serus J for a future purchase and your video makes a good case for the Novo brand.

[@TheSoundCoop]

I'm gonna have to try the Quarter Pounder. As soon as you said Angus I was immensely SOLD! 🙌🏻

[@toreilly100]

Lollar J-Street!! Had one in my Novo. Killer pickup...Cheers!

[@TheSoundCoop]

I'm pretty sure Jason has magical powers 😜 It's truly amazing how many outstanding offerings the man puts out. A true legend!! I'm typically a Fralin fan boy but I feel like I probably need to start comparing some of Jason's offerings again. 🙌🏻

[@hilaryburrows9487]

I have that same 4th position in series on my 2008 Custom Classic tele. Makes for a very versatile instrument.I also have a Novo Serus P2, which they have since discarded, everyone wants the J, but I find only the neck position works for me on the Novo, but on the tele, all four are magic.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thanks so much for watching!! The 4th position is truly magical for a T style setup. I would have never guessed. Anywhere I can see some pics of the P2? I always love 🤤 over Novos 🙌🏻

[@rolansereny7565]

Curious what your thoughts are on the Miris J. Have you played or heard one? Trying to understand why nobody purchases that guitar.

[@TheSoundCoop]

I love the way it looks but I've never tried one. Maybe the reason why they're not more popular is a cost thing? They're considerably more expensive than an entry level Serus. Or maybe the sound hole makes it less ideal for gigging? Regardless, beautiful guitars

[@kookos276]

What a fantastic guitar! How are you still liking it? In 2019, I purchased my first Novo, a used Serus J, from a local dealer, and instantly fell in love with it. Later that same year, I acquired a used Novo Serus S with Lollar Dirty Sixty-Four pickups. The Serus J boasts 3 x Lollar La Prima pickups. Despite owning several other excellent guitars, including two Strats, two Teles, an Ibanez, an Eastman, and a Gibson SG, I sold them as I mostly played the two Novos. I prefer to keep guitars I play regularly. About a year ago, I added a used Collings 290 (similar to a Les Paul special) to my collection. Having tried various Collings guitars in the past, both electric and acoustic, I can attest to their excellence. While guitars like Novo and Collings are undoubtedly excellent, considering their prices, it's understandable that they come with high expectations. What's truly impressive is the availability of brand-new guitars priced around $500 that offer exceptional playability and feel. Last summer I bought a new Sire U5 short scale bass for around 450$, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed by its performance. Additionally, my fourth guitar is a late 1950s Guild hollowbody jazzbox. I consistently play each of the four guitars (and two basses).

[@TheSoundCoop]

I still love it. It doesn't matter how much I tinker. I cannot get any of my other guitars to play like the Novo. At heart, I'm a strat guy. I love the low output thing. So the Novo doesn't work for everything I do. But whenever I reach for it, I'm never disappointed. Thanks for watching. Much appreciated 🙌🏻

[@bluzzjazz]

Really nice guitar, feel the same about mine. I got my Serus J in ice blue metallic about 3 years ago as well. I ordered it with binding, block inlays and Lollar Mini HBs. I have been through a slew of guitars and still have a bunch, but the Novo is in regular rotation. The J and my Duesenberg Starplayer TV are both superb guitars. If you want a darker sounding bridge pup, you could try the Domino P-90. That's what I have in the Duesy's neck, and it definitely is not bright..........typed this and then realized because of the T style, you would have to modify it and I'm sure you don't want to do that!

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thanks for the comment. Any chance you have IG, so I could look at some pics of your Serus J? My first Novo was Ice Metallic Blue and that color was just unreal. I somewhat regret selling it. Coolest color ever! I really gotta get my hands on a mini hum guitar one of these days.

[@mofateam1]

The Novos are the most beautiful guitars I know. I looking forward to buy one some day.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Sometimes I get distracted by other guitars but whenever I come back to the Novo I remember why it's my #1. Hoping one finds you soon

[@ChristopherBeanMusic]

DUDE YES! You did a killer job on this! Love it! Laughed out loud on the snippet about the neck finish “some guys don’t like it” and I was like “hes talking about me!” 😂 great work!

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thanks so much brother! I love your content, so this is high praise. But there's a decent portion of guys who post in the FB Novo Owners group about the sticky neck finish. You're in good company. I've even seen a few guys sand it further themselves. I can only imagine Dennis, sitting in his workshop, rolling his eyes in disbelief 😃

[@ChristopherBeanMusic]

@@TheSoundCoop I certainly won’t sand it down! My luck Id probably ruin the neck 😆

[@bigswift]

I bought a Novo in 2020 (Voltur). Even though they advertise the chunky c, I was fairly put off by it but came around and now fully love the guitar. Like love love. But I had the opposite reaction to you in terms of "the problem", and started to see boutique electric guitars as part-guitars. Awesome, beautiful, but mostly CNC'd bodies and necks with third party hardware. I don't love my Novo any more than my modded 90's Squire.

[@TheSoundCoop]

This is an interesting point about "part guitars". I guess only the body and neck are really Novo. Never really thought about it like that. But dang, I just drool over the playability of these necks. And the relic work 🤤

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

The neck is the most important part in my opinion. I bond with guitars to the extent I like the neck (fret size, thickness and radius). Been playing since 1984 and love relics. I do prefer doing it myself naturally (I have a 2013 Gibson LPJ that has a thin coat of nitro that wears quickly and looks cool. Thin nitro is the way to go if you want the guitar to take on your natural relicing which reflects your playing style. I have a warmoth partscaster that is from 2004 and the poly is impenetrable and will never show wear but I love the guitar so it’s fine. It has an unfinished neck ( no poly or nitro maybe an oil I don’t know) I didn’t build it I bought it. Seems to be modelled after Stevie Rays #1 or Claptons brownie the neck is fat and there is some V shape up to about the 5th fret. Thx

[@TheSoundCoop]

Totally agree on necks being the most important thing to bond with. It's the one thing that never gets old on this Novo. A complete joy to play. This is probably my first time having the thin nitro vibe. I have nitro on a few of my guitars but both my Strat and LP Junior have a thicker more glossy look. This Novo is much more dull in comparison. Which I absolutely love. Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@jerrykeane1970]

great I just order one, try the bare knuckle pickup they're great

[@TheSoundCoop]

Jerry, did you get your Novo yet? I wanna see some pictures!!

[@wbresgen]

Hi Thank you for this Video. I’m going to buy a Novo and I will ask for a 4way switch (min for testing). Well done Wolle

[@TheSoundCoop]

The 4th Series position is an absolute joy. If you end up finding the Novo of your dreams without the 4th position, it's easy to source. After loving it in my Novo I bought one for my Telecaster and it's equally a blast. You can source a pre wired assembly that matches your guitar's electronics. Or you can just source the 4way switch with it already set up for series wiring. But if you get a Novo that's a Les Paul or Strat type setup, it gets more difficult to set up Series mods. Strats can utilize the "Freeway" style switches for added positions. But not sure about doing this in a Les Paul type setup without having to resort to a Push/Pull or S1 push style system. There are lots of other ways to get Series mods happening. But the 4th position is really best utilized in a Tele style setup.

[@adamhunt397]

I've been using a custom wound Fralin Tele pickup modeled after a Broadcaster they made for Callaham and it's killer. Despite being a true single coil it's very quite. Recently, I bought a higher output Fralin High Output Tele at 5% overwind because I wanted a beefy P90-like Tele bridge sound for a second guitar. I'm super happy with my original Fralin bridge pickup and ATMO, I like having the flat pole piece bridge magnets, I think they add to a fuller sounding bridge pickup than staggered magnet pickups.

[@TheSoundCoop]

I appreciate the advice. I'm definitely a stickeler for noiseless pups. This is my 3rd Fralin in this bridge position. I think what I'm really looking for is a pickup that has higher output than the Fralin P90 neck pup. I tried a Fralin Tele pup first which was way too quiet. Split Pole next. The split pole was great and had a tone very similar to the P90 but still a lower output. I then moved to one of the Split blades in a Blues Output. This one has the closest output. But still not as hot. I am starting to feel like maybe I just need to put one of those Single Coil sized Humbuckers in there 🤷

[@adamhunt397]

@@TheSoundCoop Ah. Since you're looking for a high-output noiseless bridge pickup I highly recommend the L290TL-E by Bill n'Becky Wilde Pickups.

[@TheSoundCoop]

@adamhunt397 ordering one right now. Thanks for the input brother 🙌🏻

[@KaneGregory]

Twisted tele pickups are really my favorite pickups right now.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Gonna have to give these a look 🙌🏻

[@seanzinger]

I understand what you’re saying about the problem. I’ve been looking at SO many boutique guitars in the past few years and I can’t justify the money as a non-gigging musician. Guitars don’t make me any money so it ends up being quite an expensive hobby.

[@TheSoundCoop]

It's a real Rabbit Hole. I feel like I find a new boutique guitar company every week that I really dig. What companies are you eyeing right now?

[@seanzinger]

@@TheSoundCoop I got a Bunting Guitars Melody Queen in August and it was my first boutique experience of spec’ing everything myself. Yaniv Loria is the luthier out of Israel. Man the customs were a TON but since I got it, it’s the only guitar I play. I’m also eyeing Farro guitars in Ireland. Want a Tele with bigsby and tv jones. I live in Vienna, Austria so a novo is unlikely since I already messed up with customs once.

[@TheSoundCoop]

I just had a look at the Melody Queen. Cool looking guitar! Do you by chance have an Instagram where I could see some pictures of yours?

[@JM356]

Lollar Firebird in the Bridge?

[@TheSoundCoop]

Now we're talking. That might be just the right output. I appreciate the suggestion 🙌🏻

[@jeffball6656]

It's TOTALLY Rhett's fault. His videos (plus Zach and a few others) are why I've been lusting after one. Plus, I like the work Dennis did previously with Fano Guitars.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Haha! YES!!! Thanks for backing me up on this. Totally Rhett's fault 🤣 And Corey Congilio. They are both such monster players. And you're right, Zach too!! And I totally agree about Fano's previous work. It really set the stage for his current venture. He's got all the experience and tons of taste.

[@KaneGregory]

Fender has this with there S1 switching!🎸🤯🔫

[@TheSoundCoop]

Yup. S1 switching gives you Series options, among other things. It's a ton of fun. I had someone point out the 10-Way Freeway Pickup Selector in my Strat video which seems like an equally fun Mod.

[@lukasschwengeler8094]

Just roll the tone pot back a little as you would with any tele in the bridge position and you'll be happy.

[@TheSoundCoop]

I'm definitely gonna try this. I'm slightly embarrassed to say this, but I don't really mess with the volume pot much. And I definitely think this has been holding me back tone wise. I recently got my first Junior. And having the single bridge pickup has really put me in touch with my volume pot. I'll definitely give this a try in both my Novo and Tele and report back.

[@lukasschwengeler8094]

@@TheSoundCoop I mainly play with my Esquier which only has one bridge pickup, that's where I learned it. I'm not talking about the volume pot but the tone pot. I'm also thinking about buying a Novo....when I have the money .....😅

[@TheSoundCoop]

🤦🏼 I'm an idiot. 🤣 You totally did say tone pot. I'm over here inventing my own justifications 🤗 Meanwhile, I really want another 1 pickup guitar. Going the 1 pup Tele route is intriguing. Do you run a typical single coil Tele bridge in there? Or are you rocking some fancy, or maybe a Humbucker?

[@lukasschwengeler8094]

(-; easy ...I have a classic three saddle Tele bridge and an old Peter Florence Voodoo pickup T52 installed. But I also play the classic 90's country music with it. It is important that the pickup has enough output. The circuit is a classic esquier. I built the Tele myself. I have a guitar repair shop in Switzerland (Gitarrenwerk) and I own a Plek machine. cheers

[@TheSoundCoop]

@@lukasschwengeler8094 I just subbed. I love builder channels! Looking forward to watching some of your videos when I get home. Do you have an Instagram page by chance?

[@TheSaOk]

Crazy how good it sounds and quality guitar it is. Looks horrible but is perfect.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Haha. Dammit if I don't appreciate the honesty. I truly love the Novo Series shape. But I'm also the guy who hate the SG shape (unless it's Angus Young or Derek Trucks 🤣). Maybe I'm not the best judge 😜

[@TheSaOk]

@@TheSoundCoop SG is quite no go for me too. :) But the ice metallic blue NOVO looks great. Maybe I just need time to get used with the shape (mostly the headstock).

[@picksalot1]

Great sounding guitar, but if you switch the Bridge pickup to a darker sounding one, the results may not be so good when combined with the neck pickup. 🤷

[@TheSoundCoop]

This is a legit point. What's even more hilarious is, I got a Gibson Jr a month ago. No neck pickup. Took me totally out of my comfort zone. And I've been learning a lot from having no neck pickup. I'm mostly a songwriter/producer, and tend to stick to clean tones. But getting this Jr helped reintroduce me to heavier gain tones. And frankly, the bridge pick up really shines for that purpose. You don't get as much mud from the overdrive, when compared to a neck pickup, and all that harshness you get from a clean tone and bridge pickups ends up sounding like clarity when using overdrive. I'm kinda falling in love with this Fralin Splitblade Tele bridge pickup. And to your point, I really love the Parallel and Series positions in this guitar. These two pickups do work great together. I appreciate you pointing this out and thanks so much for giving it a watch 🙌🏻

[@picksalot1]

@@TheSoundCoop I've got a Reissue Strat, and have gone through all kinds of pickup and switch configurations. I even had a way of getting 7 different pickup combinations from 3 pickups! What I found was that the more combinations, the more tone seemed to be lost. This is caused by phasing between multiple pickups in the circuit, even when they're off. You can test this by using the switch to connect to a single pickup, then tap on the pickup that is supposed to be off. You'll probably hear it. My Strat now has a single humbucker in the Bridge, with single volume and tone, no switches, and it sounds great. I typically use a Modeler, and I've found that I prefer to dial in the tones I like into a Preset, and usually don't need to mess with the volume an tone knobs. I also tend to prefer clean tones, but the articulate, harmonically rich gainey tones from a single Bridge pickup are a blast to play as well.

[@TheSoundCoop]

@@picksalot1 It's totally true that extra anything (from extra length of wire, to extra components) will degrade the single to one degree or another. I'm just not sure how much of a big deal it is. If it's good enough for Leo Fender, it's good enough for me. But the issue of pickups bleeding through, despite the switch location, is not normal at all. I just took every guitar I own and checked. I can tap on the shell of the pickup. Or even take a metal screwdriver and touch the pole magnets. No sound bleeds from a pickup that isn't selected via the switch. If your guitar is doing this, it's probably worth getting it checked out. A typical switch is physically decoupling from each lead. So pickups only become part of the circuit if there's a physical connection at your switch. Volume and tone pots will be in the circuit depending on how they are wired up. You can wire some pickups to be affected by pots, while other pickups aren't. The pickups that don't attach to pots won't have whatever degradation is generated by those extra components.

[@STRATSAFIRE]

I hate the novos look, never want one, but you sound GREAT bro 😎

[@TheSoundCoop]

Normally I'd rail hard against this post but you have a Strat in your Profile Photo so you 100% get a pass 🤣🙌🏻

[@STRATSAFIRE]

@@TheSoundCoop that’s Virginia… my others are EBMM L3’s & 4’s. They are so fugly, they HAVE TO play like a dream… but they hustle to not be conventional in looks. For sure. 👍 also… pine is not my choice of wood for my interests in tone. Finally, the price makes it prohibitive for a person that despises the look but would try it out for the right price.

[@teleuser]

I would change the pick guard .

[@TheSoundCoop]

Valid point. What pickguard would you want on my guitar? 🤣

[@teleuser]

Aged 3 ply white or mint green ? Still like the guitar. @@TheSoundCoop

[@TheSoundCoop]

@teleuser I'll see about getting this swapped out for you ASAP...

[@globalnova]

no way. that pickguard suits it down to a T.

[@TheSoundCoop]

@@globalnova 🙌🏻

[@Faded0811]

What in the world is a “Tell”?

[@TheSoundCoop]

Tell - noun - an unconscious action that is thought to betray an attempted deception 😉 or... Tel - noun - an abbreviation for Telecaster 👍🏻

[@funpants9448]

Do relic owners ever get tired of telling plebs that the guitar is brand new? My friends would call me a poser.

[@TheSoundCoop]

@funpants9448 I'm sorry brother, but I'm not following you. Are you saying it's dishonest to call a relic guitar "new" if it was purchased as such? Are you feeling like even a brand new relic'd guitar isn't "new" because of the artificial wear?

[@mondoseguendo6113]

⁠@@TheSoundCooprelics are like buying a new pair of blue jeans that are already distressed and with premade holes; wear and tear needs to be earned 😂

[@TheSoundCoop]

@@mondoseguendo6113 ah, kamman. You gotta stop referring to every guy with used vintage guitars as frauds 😭 And lets be real... a true purist would refuse to play any instruments they didn't make themselves. If you didn't build it, you didn't earn the right to play it 😂 Now, go cut down a tree and get to work. Maybe you'll rip your jeans while you're at it 😁... 😜

[@bryantherocker]

Clickbait video ... dislike

[@TheSoundCoop]

Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@capefearcapt4679]

Guitars for hipster lawyers, doctors and accountants. Overpriced mediocre trendy guitars you never see onstage.

[@TheSoundCoop]

Bro, please don't talk about Gibson in such a disparaging way. It's unbecoming 🤣

[@maxpeck4154]

🙄

[@rolansereny7565]

Here’s a guy who is clearly jealous that he can’t afford pricey toys. Sorry bro. I know you are angry but it’s ok if people want to get expensive instruments to play at home for fun. If that makes em happy let em be. Don’t be so jealous.

[@maxpeck4154]

@@rolansereny7565 This...

[@ericengel4573]

Obviously you'd never make a comment like this without playing one first....right?