The Novo Serus J is perfect. So why did I mod it?

I've been threatening to review my Novo Serus J for a long time. Now that I've had it for several months and used it on I don't know how many sessions, here are my thoughts. Also, as with all my reviews, I show you how I use it at work as a session player. This guitar is a total departure from the norm yet plays, sounds, and feels like a million bucks. It's rare that a twist on a few traditional designs come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Novo knocked it out of the park. I also modded mine. (Shrug).
NOVO LINKS:
www.novoguitars.com/serus
reverb.com/shop/novoguitars
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0:00 Welcome!
0:40 Playing starts (stock setup)
7:19 This guitar can lean into goldtop Les Paul territory
9:19 Cleanish neck pickup rhythm playing
11:24 Super comfortable and inspiring
12:36 Having said all that, I’m gonna mod it :)
13:23 It has KILLER sustain bone stock
14:03 My ONE PROBLEM with Jazzmasters…
16:12 Putting on the new tailpiece…
17:53 Let’s use this guitar in a track
19:41 Playing begins (new Descendant tailpiece)
25:33 Let’s add to this track…
30:38 Aren’t P90s noisy?
32:10 Concluding thoughts
34:04 Almost forgot! Bending with the new tailpiece on
Please SUBSCRIBE
Thanks for hanging out!

[@benhart3201]

Hey bro I am a bedroom full time producer/player. From someone that is not going to move to Nashville this stuff is gold since I’m not around session players all the time to learn. Thanks friend and keep it coming!

[@PaulSmith-zi3sn]

It's always such a pleasure to watch your videos, you do such an outstanding job. Thank you !!

[@rogerhunkapillar7171]

Absolutely love what you are doing in an effort to help educate the community. Keep it going please.

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Another great video. Keep up the good work. Your channel is refreshing.

[@jaygallamore562]

Great video - thanks! My guitar journey has taken an interesting turn in the last year. After acquiring all the classics including three ???? which I can’t imagine ever selling, I mostly just play my ES-335 and a Tele. Occasionally I’ll switch a Les Paul into the mix. That said, after hearing you and one of your You Tube compatriots talk about how much you like your Novo Serus J I am seriously considering getting one within the next year. I’ve learned a lot and have been inspired by your channel, keep up the good work!

[@TheFeelButton]

Perfection can always be improved upon! Cheers Justin!!

[@AKJordansKids2009]

Thank you for sharing your skills. What an amazing time we live in. Best wishes from Alaska. TJ

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks a ton! 👊🏼

[@genie_of_the_lamp8996]

Great video and review! My Serus P2 basically lives in the middle position. Sounds good neck or bridge, but there's some magic in that middle position.

[@gonzalocampanellaalonso2839]

"It sounds great. I mean, I keep saying that but... That's because it's true" 😂😂 I want a t-shirt with that on it. Great video as always!!

[@brentgilbert4208]

I never knew how those strings behind the bridge affects the tonal output of a guitar. I need to start listening to my guitars for that! I’m also going to check all mine for the high note sustain. Boy, I learn a LOT from your videos! 👍

[@heres_johnny9151]

I love all my guitars but I grab my Serus so much lately and love it. My new Novo Idris just shipped and can not wait to play it. Thanks so much Justin, love your channel man.

[@JTHeidrick]

Post your review of the Idris compared to any other Novo.

[@johnsnyder4515]

Nice playing and commentary. Thank you. Also own same novo serus j pine w fralin p90s. agree: "more than the sum of the parts." "perfect without being sterile." like many, i have played for years (and years) and guitars have come/gone. very rare that one opens the genie jar and ride away on the magic carpet. the novo did that on first play, and every play since then. which is pretty unusual. so i'll be keeping it a while and see where else we ride.

[@leonardinterior6881]

dig ur channel, learning a lot

[@seanzinger]

I noticed that on my descendant as well, it definitely has a tighter travel. I don’t go to town on it anyway so it’s good for me. I never realized it before but that guitar does sound like an angrier Jazzmaster. It definitely has its own vibe though, I agree. I don’t bend too much but it’s interesting to me that the tail piece could make a noticeable difference. Great tones as always!

[@VinnRoman]

You really know your 🎸 🎸🌟these videos are so informative! Thank youuuu! 🎸👏🏼🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@GuyNarnarian]

That Geeetarrr sure is purrrtyyy too. Sounds amazing. I'm a traditionalist as well but Novo seems really solid for a smaller company. I tried a Reverend once, they are not as expensive, but I'd say they are similar at a lower price point. But, the Novo is definitely a step above when it comes to QC and probably woods, electronics., etc.

[@scottlocke7945]

Digging the new logo

[@tonygann5748]

I have a Miris P2, best guitar I have ever owned in over 40 years. Great video, appreciate all the insights.

[@theleviathan89]

I hear an improvement. Very nice 👍🏼

[@toreilly100]

Dude 100%!! I've got 2 Novos...love this company!!

[@BadHorsie2]

The Novos are great. I also like the Rivolta production series also. Very well made and sound great.

[@Danielrunion]

"Modern classic". Thank you for confirming what I've thought for a few years. Not many new guitars are collectable IMO, but Novo is the exception. I've had 4, and currently have two. They aren't all "special" but they are all great. The two I have I'll never ever sell. Never, ever!

[@keefjunior4061]

It’s probably just a phase. They are phenomenal instruments, but nothing unique sounding/feeling. There are better alternatives for half the cost. Hype factor is huge. Ever heard of TMG, Swope, or Kroll? Probably some of the best guitars I’ve ever touched, and superior to most Novus builds. You’ve never heard of them because they predated KZbin channels hyping gear up.

[@leonardofranco5051]

Well a Koll costs around 5k, same goes for the TMG that are also around the 4k and for Swope Its up to the model you chose. ​@@keefjunior4061

[@BobcatOneManBand]

Being that I mainly play stratocaster and jazzmaster style guitars, I almost never use reverb in a pedal or an amp. I rely on the guitar and the room for that sound, even when playing surf music. I do enjoy a carbon copy or memory man delay pedal with a short slapback. You definitely got a unique approach to guitar and there is a lot I can learn from this channel!

[@AdamWellsMusic]

Awesome video

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Just got my first jazzmaster. Your dano jm was a big influence on my decision. Plus ive always wanted one…needs a couple tweaks like the descendent vibrato/tail but so far im digging the fender custom shop rsd bridge. Ha! You mentioned the descendent mod just as im typing this! Lol crazy. Yeah my jm needs the descendent tail for all the reasons you outline here.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a great video have a wonderful day Justin also we had a snowstorm in Canada last week ❤😊😊

[@JustinOstrander]

Man, my kids are LOVING the snow here. Have a great day!

[@fiddlefolk]

I believe Danelectro bodies are made with masonite( peg board or brown paneling) and some sort of acrylic finish.

[@bjorntannberg1581]

Sounds really good.

[@ericsanders7880]

Thanks!

[@bluzzjazz]

I never even considered pine as an option for a guitar. Then I came across Novo, did some research and had one built to my specs. I got it 3.5 yrs. ago. Serus J in ice blue metallic w/Mastery. I had binding and block inlays added and went with Lollar mini HBs. It was a tough choice between that and P90s but I already had a guitar with p90s. It is a phenomenal guitar. I have guitars made from every wood imaginable, but the tempered pine is so resonant. Doesn't hurt that it doesn't weigh almost 12 lbs like my 79 Les Paul KM!

[@user-iv4hb6ul5c]

Yes,really great Sound..

[@caseykittel]

14:00 yes! bought a jazzmaster and returned it after a few days. looooong strings - especially the high strings and the trem too probably. bends suck on those babies. 100% had to decide if I wanted to do a similar mod or return it. btw those p90s sound amazing, amazing.

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

I never thought of pine as a tone wood, for that matter I never thought of offset body guitars as alternatives to traditional guitars. But finally having played a J master it was surprising comfortable. Having P-90s just sweetens the pot for me. Great video and descriptive demo Justin. Some real food for thought

[@officialWWM]

There’s no such thing as “tone wood”. It’s just wood! Also, alder is a type of pine! I have a plastic body guitar that I 3D printed put together with off the shelf parts and a neck from eBay and frankly, it sounds amazing! I also have a carbon fibre guitar…sounds incredible. “Tone wood” is not a thing.

[@jimmyfrombrooklyn8550]

@@officialWWM wow, all these years we’ve consumed ourselves with ash, curly maple, mahogany, spruce, ebony, rosewood and the elusive Korina wood and all we really needed was a 3D printer. Those fools in Nazareth PA, Kalamazoo and Nashville

[@sergeyv4908]

There is a special detail with additional axle mounting on pair of middle screws of any jazzmaster-type tremolo. It lies on strings breaking their way to a tremolo plate and that tightens string tension and eliminates a bell-buzz after bridge. It reminds bigsby-type after installation.

[@sergeyv4908]

My shame - it mounts on the first to bridge pair of screws. It calls Buzz stop.

[@romansson4005]

“I think my hair’s a little bit longer”: I’m impressed that you don’t look like Grizzly Adams or Rasputin in the later portion of this video!

[@chrisquinn9104]

I love mine. It’s a “do anything” guitar, but it does it in its own way. Stunningly well conceived and constructed I realized, if you look at it, it’s an offset Rickenbacker 330. Denis is a big Rick fan

[@JustinOstrander]

Never noticed the Ric resemblance. Thats very cool

[@chrisquinn9104]

Took me a minute too

[@curtisburns]

That song intro part you played reminded me of “Deeper Water” by Paul Kelly.

[@NoCoverCharge]

I have the Miris J and it’s by far my favorite guitar it has p90’s fralin

[@inglettd]

@JustinOstrander thanks for all the content and insight. Compound radius or straight 9.5 on yours? Borrowing a friend’s Serus p2 that has a duesenberg stopbar vibrato added. Wonder how different it will feel from the JM style vibrato.

[@mikeanthony5581]

I Have NIxxin Halcyon "The Burn" Pine Guitar. I really had to get used to the light weight but man It is my #2 after my LP Standard!

[@andersestes]

Great video. Would love to get a novo. Visited their website, seemed they were all sold out.

[@JustinOstrander]

Check their reverb page? It’s in the description. I’m sure you can reach out and order one as well. They’ve got quite the operation. Highly recommend checking out their factory (please contact them first).

[@courtesyofdickboak]

Pine guitars are great. I built a Warmoth pine tele doesn’t need any compression

[@bigpapi2658]

❤

[@whwh7339]

Man might have to sell my Jazzmaster and some pedals and grab one. Just wish I was more of a P-90 guy. If they’d make a Serus J with Jazzmaster style pickups I’d be in heaven

[@ibaneztubescreamer]

It really doesn't get better than this..

[@BV_Beve]

Dennis makes brilliant guitars fortunate to have one ... get why the 'mod' though ! Have a great 2024 Justin mon ami

[@JustinOstrander]

He really does. The mod is 100% reversible, but it helps me work more efficiently.

[@denmar355]

Great for a pro player. A living room player can’t pay what those go for. Not me anyway. But I love hearing you play it. I don’t think I’d mod it, but it’s not mine.

[@JustinOstrander]

I hear you. When you get to a certain point, say with vintage Fenders and Gibsons, most pros can’t afford them. They are owned by investors and collectors.

[@timtime9167]

Sounds killer to me.

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Hi Justin. Do you have any paulownia body guitars? The only production model I can think of is Brad Paisely's signature which is paulownia sandwiched with spruce. Paulownia is super super light. I used it in a tele build and the guitar weights nothing! I think less than 4 pounds. Like all wood there is good and bad quality, some paulownia is super soft so not great for trem claw or lp style studs.

[@JustinOstrander]

I don’t. Sounds interesting tho

[@marcnewman311]

The delay effect during the song you recorded towards the end was just delicious. Was that a pedal or a preset sort of thing?

[@JustinOstrander]

Strymon Timeline

[@r0bophonic]

Novo GAS intensifies…wondering if you’ve done a video on these topics: 1. Different strings on your different guitars 2. How you choose which guitar to use on a track (what style of playing is each one for)

[@JustinOstrander]

1. I generally default to 10s, but 10s feel wrong or sound wrong on some guitars. I have 11s on my goldtop, and Jeff Senn guitars (the Strat and Tele). I have 10.5s on my LP Custom. 10s on almost everything else. 2. That is a series I started, but have only done one video on. “5 reasons I reach for a ____”. So far, I’ve done one on baritone guitars. Cheers

[@r0bophonic]

@@JustinOstrander Thanks Justin! I know what you mean. I’ve always defaulted to 10s also but am currently experimenting with lower gauges. I look forward to future videos in tbe “5 reasons I reach for a ____” series!

[@nathanstoll7712]

Do you know if the pickups are the overwound/underwound or stock? Sounds killer man!

[@JustinOstrander]

I don’t think they are over or under wound.

[@Andygee302]

I love fralins and have hum cancelin P90s. Have you heard them and, if so, do they compare?

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks! I haven’t used hum canceling p90s, no

[@adotbeck]

The sustain, listen to it.

[@joeurbanowski321]

I’m drooling here…😳🤣.. Do you have a link for those P 90’s..? Thanks for it all..!🙏🏻 PS…do you have an opinion about Reverend stock P90’s..? I have their Sensei Jr..

[@JustinOstrander]

I’m gonna do a video about my favorite P90s here pretty soon. Stay tuned!

[@joeurbanowski321]

@@JustinOstrander ..very cool.! Looking forward to it.!👍🏼

[@leeasbury7273]

I had a couple Reverend guitars with P90's around 15 years ago. STILL have an original Reverend Billy Corgan I'll never sell. But the stock P90's in the Reverend's I owned sounded great. I especially miss my old Reverend Volcano (flying V). A PRS Vela satin finish is a great guitar for not alot of money. It's kinda like some of those Novo's. And a great mod guitar if you want a different sound. I'm putting a Firebird pup in my Vela's neck soon. Probably something new in the bridge too. It's a great guitar. Any guidance pickups will just make it better.

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

So the descendant helped with making the travel of your bends more what you expect. Were there any sonic differences? Thanks Jason.

[@JustinOstrander]

Not much, honestly. Maybe a bit less airy sounding? Far less of a difference than with my Danocaster jazzmaster. I’m planning a follow up video in the near future…

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

Thx. I just got one of these guitars. Plays wonderfully. Being in my 60’s, I love the weight while gigging. Easy on my back. Going to use a lighter gauge set of strings. I think that might give it a bit more snap on the bottom strings. All three pickup positions are very usable sonically. Thanks for the review.

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

Hi Justin, One thing that I don’t like about the mastery is the high end junk noise that happens between the bridge and where the strings connect. Does the descendant get rid of that? Currently I’m using cloth interwoven between the strings behind the bridge.

[@silcoxone]

I like that one better than Rhetts Barbie version. Very nice!

[@JustinOstrander]

So do you think my Danocaster jazzmaster looks like a Barbie guitar? 😂

[@audioglenngineer]

Am I hearing less upper midrange harmonics with the mod? Is it a little smoother sounding?

[@JustinOstrander]

Man, I think you’re hearing slightly different amp settings. The “after” took me two months to finish, after all. Totally my fault. It really does play and sound the same. Bending is just much easier, and there’s a touch less noise coming from behind the bridge.

[@audioglenngineer]

@@JustinOstrander yeah, that’s what I wondered - thanks for clarifying

[@chadromney]

31:03 someone told me that J Mascis said he doesn't have a problem with noisy pickups because he never stops playing

[@JustinOstrander]

That’s one way to solve it! 😂

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

Got a descendant for my 2024 Novo Serus J. The Mastery holes does not line up with the descendant. Any one have the same issues? Solutions?

[@JustinOstrander]

Hmm. I don’t. Using a mastery bridge and a descendant tailpiece. Are the ball ends of your strings seated in the right spots in the descendant?

[@JustinOstrander]

Or do you mean the mounting holes for the unit itself? Mine dropped right in; no new holes needed or anything like that

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

@@JustinOstrander I found out they changed to an OEM bridge made by mastery, but no longer fits the holes of a normal J. Need to drill guide holes to mount it.

[@jeffreyoliver4822]

Ok, got the descendant installed. Definitely a good upgrade. Bending notes feels normal now. Pleased. Thx Jason

[@joelmorgan7399]

Being a pine body, does it pick up nicks and bumps quicker?

[@JustinOstrander]

I’ve bumped it a few times…on my desk or amp rack on a session. It’s relic’d so nicely, I can never tell which marks are mine. 😂

[@thanaphanduangmongkollerd7955]

What your wood neck and what fret board ?

[@JustinOstrander]

Maple/rosewood

[@SteveHatzman]

It sounds a little darker to me but maybe that’s the amp settings.

[@JustinOstrander]

It totally is, and it’s my fault. I backed the treble off for a clean tele pass before I shot the 2nd half of this video, and failed to check it.

[@SteveHatzman]

@@JustinOstrander still sounds great as always.

[@2dazetake]

These Novos have me rethinking my belief, that wood doesn't have an effect on tone,they make these out of tempered pine, and their pickups rock,probably rings out unplugged too ,fralin will actually rewind a pickup for you, for very cheap,but I would just store the stock ones.

[@michaeljoyce3286]

Man, I felt the same way, and I watched this show on Vertex effects he took an old Strat. He pulled the paint off same pick ups and he put nitro on the body and the guitar sounded totally different and then he was talking talking about wood densities and all this other stuff. It really does make a difference.

[@musicmann1967]

More like $4,500, Justin! haha They really sound great, I'd love one of those!

[@JustinOstrander]

Where are you seeing that? This one was $3500, and the sold listings on their site seem to be around that mark depending on features

[@musicmann1967]

@@JustinOstrander I just gave a quick look on Reverb, but I just looked again and you're absolutely right! Sorry! I must have looked at the wrong model earlier!

[@mudnducs]

I cant hear a difference ...old ears and crummy little computer speaker 🙂 Good job on the commentary and vibe young man. Going hunting, see ya!

[@maxpeck4154]

21:00 Tone-wise and feel-wise it's NOT going to be different. The Descendant vs the Mastery doesn't change the overall string length, which is what determines the feel (which is different from the scale length).

[@JustinOstrander]

Not true, especially when bending. Check out a trapeze tailpiece 335 vs a tune-o-matic vs a Bigsby. They feel (and sound) different.

[@maxpeck4154]

@@JustinOstrander 100% agree with all of that - but my comment didn't reference a trapeze tailpiece or a tune-o-matic or a Bigsby - in this video you swapped a Mastery offset vibrato with a Descendent offset vibrato, both of which have an identical footprint, design, functionality, and overall string length. My comment was in reference to the Descendent vs Mastery. You said "tone wise and feel wise there's not really any difference". And there won't be between those two vibratos.

[@JustinOstrander]

​@@maxpeck4154 Going from the mastery to the descendant changed both my Jazzmaster and the Serus J (although less of a change on this guitar). The string angle and tension are completely different behind the saddles. The 335 example I gave is simply more common, but the same idea. The difference is mostly in bending, but also in how "tight" the strings feel as you play, and tone-wise in how much the ringing of the strings behind the saddle comes through the pickups. Higher tension with the descendant = less string noise behind the saddles with a faster decay.

[@mikemalone9404]

How would you compare the Fralin P90s to Ron Ellis? Uhhh......I think Danelectros are made of sheetrock 🤭

[@JustinOstrander]

Never played Ellis P90s

[@mikemalone9404]

@@JustinOstrander Me either, plus very few samples around! Supposed to be great, but can't 'afford' to risk it!

[@TonyThomas10000]

Are you going to get an Apple Silicon Mac soon?

[@JustinOstrander]

Don’t think so. MacBook Pro works fine for me

[@TonyThomas10000]

@@JustinOstrander Good to hear...

[@leonardinterior6881]

ur modding it😂

[@FakeGlasses]

I got a serus h2 and I really hate it. The pickups are honky and the chunky C neck turns me off. I was pretty flabbergasted by my reaction, as I love their look and videos etc. The dangers of buying online without trying something first. Should’ve gone for a serus T or J I suppose. They’re clearly incredible guitars. But man, did it not jive with me.

[@JustinOstrander]

Weird. I have liked all the Novos I’ve played.

[@reubentrapp]

21:25 I literally stopped the video and am literally trying to rewire my brain that way

[@JustinOstrander]

Yes!!

[@777ZEETAL]

Lick 1:40-1:44. I’m gonna have to slow that down butter and learn it😀 Still waiting on a “top 10 licks you can use today” video😎

[@officialWWM]

That is the ugliest guitar ever built. I really have no idea why they are so popular!

[@JustinOstrander]

Haha! I don’t care what it looks like; it feels and sounds great and inspires me when I play it. But I do think it looks pretty cool too 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@officialWWM]

@@JustinOstrander one man’s ugly girl is another man’s super model 😂