TABLE OF CONTENTS 00:00 - Intro Jam 00:16 - My history with Jazzmasters 01:52 - How I came to find the Novo Serus J 02:45 - Neck Pickup Blues Tones 03:30 - Yellow Ledbetter 04:00 - Neck Pickup Clean Tones 04:32 - Walking On The Moon 05:16 - Middle Pickup R&B Tones 05:48 - Drift Away 06:48 - Lightweight Body really sings 07:05 - What separates a GOOD guitar from a GREAT guitar? 07:24 - Hearing Novo Serus J in a track 08:01 - Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (neck pickup) 08:17 - Danger Zone (bridge pickup) 10:38 - Brass In Pocket (middle pickup) 11:47 - Final thoughts on the Novo Serus J 13:35 - Thanks for Watching!
@@RhettShull After watching your original Novo videos, I decided to try one out. I was lucky enough to find one in the burgundy sparkle, a Serus J, like yours, only better. It's a 3 pickup with dual mini-humbuckers and a middle Firebird style pickup. Totally amazing with 7 sound combinations. I do love my 1959 Jazzmaster, but, sorry to say, the Novo beats it. I then got a beautiful Miris J. That's my #1!
I've found the same...it took me a while to come around. Now I need to learn how to play the guitar a little better so I can sneak in a few Tubbs-isms.
My friend has a bunch of Novo guitars... The first time I played them they all felt like I've been playing them my whole life. Just so easy and responds perfectly to anything you ask of it. Gotta get me some!
P90s are often confused with Jazzmaster pickups because they look so similar, but my understanding is that they are not the same thing. Novo guitars use P90 pickups. Jazzmaster pickups look like P90s but they are their own thing and unique to Jazzmasters. As you said, it doesn't really matter as long as you love it! But They are different. Stunning Guitar, I hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Right on brother. Love my Serus J, feels like the most important electric guitar of our era. Hope to see a lot of other folks getting on board in the coming years.
like i said in the nashville pedalboard video...we need more of this kind of content...love this stuff!!! don't love the guitar look...but sound is kick butt!!!
I've had my Serus J for almost 6 years now. Absolutely incredible guitar. It's absolutely incredible. I also own a Danocaster offset and the NOVO is just on another level. It's own unique and masterful thing. Mason, amazing content as always!
Great video! I have a Voltur and Miris J. They are my favorite guitars in my collection and I too got good deals on them used. I don’t see folks mention the Voltur very often, but it plays and sounds amazing.
Congrats Mason! I bought a 2018 Novo Serus T off Craigslist about 5 years ago. It's killer! Amalfitano P-45 neck, single coil bridge. 100 year old reclaimed pine. As you now know... Fantastic guitar!
Love my Serus J. Just got my Miris T a month ago and its phenomenal. Already eyeing and Idris HSS and selling off the rest of my collection. I never reach for anything that isn't a Novo these days.
It's been with me since December 2023, but just now getting around to making the video now that I've had some time with it :). Thanks for watching Mark!
I have a Serus J ice blue metallic over three tone sunburst, and it’s the best feeling guitar I own, including some stellar big brand name instruments. Mine has the gold foil Lollar’s - incredible My next three best sounding and playing guitars are all Fano’s. Dennis is just a genius.
I feel you bro. I just got me a red Player II and I'm a Strat guy too. You can do a bunch of different tones with this beast for sure. Really liked the Flame maple neck on yours, and mine comes in at just above eight pounds with that alder body, while yours comes at an enviable six. Nice axe
I ordered a custom Serus J having never been in the same room as a Novo, and 14 months later I played a Novo for the first time (they had quite a backlog in 22/23). Easily one of the best guitars I’ve ever played.
Awesome guitars but out of my budget! I put together a Telemaster with two Bare Knuckles P90s and it is a real workhorse, covering a huge range. P90s are very different to Jazzmaster pickups so while I like them, I am still on the fence about getting a proper Jazzmaster. I love the feel of those vibratos, though...
I got this one used for $2650...not sure if that's what you had in mind, but seems like it's possible to get them for a decent price for a boutique instrument.
I have a Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster team built. It is one of the best i have ever played. Always seems to be in tune, great tones, and resonant. Mine is a keeper. I may have lucked out as I know that all guitars differ. It’s always nice to hear that you got a good one. Enjoy! I’ll try and play one of those if I can find one. 👍
Sounds awesome! I want one eventually. I first fell for his Fano line when Dennis made them. The RB6T was on my list but the cost and lack of options made me decide to just build one myself. My thoughts on a great guitar is the biggest factor is using great pickups like Lollars, then using quality parts, well built, set up just right. Dennis does great relic work. I’m just not a fan of how rough some of the finishes are on the Novo line.
It's an amazing guitar...they "get it" as far as I'm concerned and Dennis seems to have his finger on the pulse of how to root a guitar in the vintage style, but give it a modern twist. The finish on this one is pretty unreal, probably not what I would have picked if I had ordered one from Novo, but it's pretty great and unique.
Dang, that is a deal! I have been shopping for a Serus J for years... sort of $$. I have been playing a JM with Curtis Novak's for years and every other JM I have played falls short. This video has renewed my hunt for a Serus deal... Thanks for the inspiration. Also, way too many trolls in these comments! Keep at it, always watch your vids. @VertexEffectsInc
Fano is a genius. The Leo Fender of our time if I could be so bold. He's really got a unique angle and way of seeing things and can execute a quality instrument consistently.
Been on the fence about these for a while. Played one at Norman's that was second had around NAMM time that was really good and fairly priced at around $2500. Regret not getting it then. This may have pushed me over the edge.
Well, I had Gabriel Currie custom make me a Echopark J with a Goldcoil in the Bridge and a JM (both by Arcane)…I had Gabe make me three characteristics: Bridge Jimmy Page, Bridge and Middle Chet Atkins and Neck Herb Ellis…..It does it and the Mastery Bridge STAYS IN TUNE!
I have a Miris P, Best guitar I have ever played, and a versatile tool for almost any job. The only other guitar I need is my Josh Williams Mockingbird ( ES335 ). But of course I have others I wont let go of :)
I have a serus J and dang, it freakin rips! I wish I could share a pic of mine it’s gnarly. I have a p90 in the neck and a mini humbucker in the bridge. I think I almost bought yours, if not, it looked just like yours. There’s also another brand of Dennis Fano’s, who makes Novo, it’s simply just called “Fano”, I own 3, and they are all so different, yet so much fuel to make you sit down and create some music. However, Novo is his “Cadillac”. I recommend both! Also, you make some gnarly pedals my friend, I have the Dynamic Distortion, and love it.
Great sounds. I've owned multiple Novos, and both vintage and modern Jazzmasters. Aside from the influence of the offset body, Novo is really nothing like a Jazzmaster -- it's a completely different beast. The biggest thing that makes the Novo what it is are the Fralin P90s. Jazzmaster pickups are nothing like the Fralins - JM pickups are brighter, hi-fi, and stringy-er, relative to the growl and bark you get from the Fralins that come in the Novo. The combination of the Mastery bridge + the Fralins lends a different sound than you get in many P90 guitars because of the additional harmonics that you get from the bridge+trem system. The Novo is a classic in its own right and given all the differences with a JM, it deserves its own category.
I don't know if I dispute this totally in the video. I say pretty clearly for the JM purist, they won't find these to be equivalent. However, I still think impact of 1) scale length 2) the bridge 3) Bolt On Neck and 5) the overstated difference between JM pickups and vintage style P90's needs to be reconciled. When you actually do the test, comparing (in my case) a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, despite the physical differences, the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). Again, I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but it's in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, again, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
Probably the fact that they're not the same as a JM P90 might help. The Lollars to me are darker than some of the other's I've tried (but work well with brighter guitars like this). I think the Mastery Bridge is also a little more tame on the top end.
@ yep you nailed it I’m still using a more stock set up to try and get a decent tone with the one meg pots and a set of McNelly jazz master pick ups-unless I run everything else completely different basically hard low passed it has that fingernail on the chalkboard vibe-it doesn’t hurt that Dennis makes an incredible guitar on top of that (mine is a Fender/Warmoth hybrid). Thx for the info Mason
Order a Warmoth Jazzmaster and have a professional put it together. It’ll be to your exact specs and save you a ton of money (depending on fancy wood choices etc). I bought a used warmoth Jazzmaster someone put together, it’s the best guitar I’ve played.
Connecting to an instrument is fundamental whatever the brand - Maybe it just so happens Novo may have a higher percentage of these players... and then hitting that TopGun riff - Perfect.
I have an early Serus T from Coda Music St Evenage, amazing guitar. Then I traded the Suhr in the profile pic towards a Serus J from Peach, and it's next level again. Can't think how you could improve it. Simple, stable, perfect neck, versatile controls. Goes from a jangle to a scream...
In my high school garage band era...NOBODY played Jazzmasters or Jaguars. Mostly SG's, ES style and Teles, with the occasional Strat seen and heard...and that's because of the style of music being played around town: Stax and British Invasion.
Sweet guitar, but I wouldn't necessarily compare it to a jazzmaster because the Novo actually has P90 pickups. Offset shape, bridge, and bolt-on 25.5 neck will feel like JM, but those PUs are a game changer. My opinion: P90s are much more versatile than JM PUs (for my purposes). Nice playing and nice guitar, but would have been a good opportunity to mention the common misconception that P90 and JM are the same.
I think the difference are more overstated than they are practically for recording, and there needs be an acknowledgment of the scale length and bridge (as you did, and I have in other comments here). When you actually do the test, comparing (in my case) a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, despite the physical differences, the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument. My aim in the video wasn't to answer the question of common misconceptions...it was simply, if you're looking for a JM style guitar, and you're not finding it with a high end Fender, here's an alternative consideration.
@@VertexEffectsInc Thank you for your very thorough response. I was thinking that since you stated in the video you had a hard time getting alomg with a lot of jazzmasters, but found this guitar suited your tastes, maybe the pickups had a lot to do with your feelings. 8.25k vs 8.38k sounds similar, but I don't find that translates between different constructions such as magnetic poles vs magnetic bars necessarily. I didn't look at pots and the rest of the details on the Novo, but that also has a lot to do with the distinctive JM wiring that can be finicky for somethings.
I also have a Serus J (2016 model made by Dennis while he was still in PA) and everything he says is true. It's a great guitar and feels great. He fails to to mention the biggest and most important part of the guitar's sound though. It's the P90 pickups. They are so overlooked by people. Putting P90s in any guitar will get you similar sounds. I have 3 guitars with p90s and they all sound fantastic and can play any genre of music including metal.
P90s in any guitar? No dude...so many other factors. And which P90s? How potted are they? How many winds? Also, thinks like a floating bridge, top loaded, 25.5" scale length - these all are factors in the sound. If what you say it correct, than my '60 Les Paul Junior should be close to my Novo - both P90's right!? Strangely they sound nothing like each other.
@VertexEffectsInc Sure they are all factors but like I said it's a great guitar but you failed to mention the most important factor of why it sounds so good. Your guitar probably has Fralin p90s in it, give them some credit too. In my previous comment I should have been more clear and said "throw those same p90s in any guitar and get a similar sound". If we are talking just the tone coming out of your speaker and not what you are simultaneously hearing acoustically and feeling against your body as it resonates the other stuff you mentioned is secondary. Sure it's a total package and you play great and sound great but throw some normal single coil pickups in it and tell me what it sounds like. Throw some humbuckers in it and tell me what it sounds like. Luckily Novo already does that and we don't have to assume, yes, they sound totally different than your guitar.
Scale length and the bridge have quite an impact on the sound. Don't get me wrong, a 50's LP is special - but it's a different scale length, bridge, wood - and a lot more of it.
Those Novos are gorgeous, unfortunately haven´t come across a lefty one l could try out. l´m crazy about how jazzmasters look, but they are a very quirky instrument. l honestly like their general tone better than a strat, but strats play much better IMO, tremolo works better, and to me particularly, the possibility of knob volume swells does it. All that being said, l´ll take a tele anyday over either. l feel this could be strictly personal, but there´s always to me a rawness and honesty in the tele l can´t find on any other fender model.
Not as much as you'd think when you actually do the test. I compared to a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
The guitar looks awesome. But only the one actually playing it can feel what special is the guitar or not. Sounds and records are always as good as you want or can.with any guitar.
Regarding your Novo Serus J Guitar, Are the Fralin P-90's a hum cancelling pickup Alnico , or is it a typical 1950's P-90's without hum cancelling with alnico II?
Did the pretenders brass in pocket, the Police walking on the moon , Dan Huff Danger zone they used a Fender Jazzmaster guitar in the studio for these songs? I know Beach Boys Carl Wilson used a Jazzmaster for most of the songs/albums before the album pet sounds.
@@VertexEffectsInc Ya the jazzmaster pickups can do a lot. Hendrix used a Jazzmaster before on certain songs before the Jimi Hendrix Experience you can see pictures of him with a red colored one. The Upper controls on a jazzmaster are also use for Grunge music, Clapton cream woman tone, SLASH GNR woman tone, etc. Check it out on what you can do with the jazzmaster upper control bank to make a video lesson about it. They use 500K pots but the lower channel pots use 1Meg to get extra chime. I'm not sure which your guitar uses 250K pots? you should find out
I have a G&L Custom Shop and they're great. There's a video of it on the channel. I have to say, this instrument (and the few that I've played) really stand out as "special" comparatively to almost anything out there. It's a unique look for sure, but delivers where it matters.
I have a Novo, and I can’t argue that I’m not a huge fan of the headstock anyway. That said they sound and play so well. It has become my go to Guitar and I would never consider selling it
Novo is a nice really expensive boutique guitar. Very popular with the hipster kids. Just watched Bonamassa reminding everyone that most of the greatest music ever made used cheap junk by today's standards. So, there's perspective. But Novos are nice !
Wonder what his examples were? I guess nothing beats a Stratocaster, Tele, or Les Paul as far as electric guitar music is concerned in terms of how many hits have been recorded on them. I still think they were pretty expensive even in relative dollars, a Strat was just under $300, and a bit over for a custom color in 1962, so that'd be about $3200 in today's money.
@@VertexEffectsInc Pretty sure the point was "By today's standards". A 59 les Paul was a standard Les Paul. Every Guitar had fret sprout! Every guitar that had problems was sold as new ! The Epiphones the Beatles used were totally standard and some would consider junk today. I know, kids are messed up. A good guitar for an Intermediate to pro guitarist = About one month's wages. That has been a standard since the 1930s, I think.
They're Lollar's. Any yea, it's a little different from a Jazzmaster pickup. I compared to a Novak I bought and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
@@VertexEffectsInc thanks. Great points. All things matters when it comes to the “perfect” guitar. Probably why many of us are tone hunters. Its not an easy ride 😀😀
While I could use the sound these nevos make, it's a sound of it's own, it's also a one trick pony in that case,akin to my 175 jazz box for example,sure you can rock with it, but it too has a sound of it's own, perfect more for jazz, just not something I feel I want to use all the time as a daily player, I've seen cheap knockoffs of this guitar but they can't match the sound of a nevo, and I'm not sure if nevo sells just a set of pickups.
It’s interesting to hear you say Jazzmasters felt unbalanced to you. Isn’t that one of the main points of the offset shape of a Jazzmaster or Jaguar, that it makes them better balanced to hold? Either sitting or on a strap?
Tbh I wouldn't think of that Novo as a Jazzmaster-like instrument...the P 90 are nothing like the Jazzmaster unique single coils. Maybe the bridge, scale lenght and other features are similar but in terms of sounds of course there are way different
Not as much as you'd think when you actually do the test. I compared to a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
I’ve had a number or originals here to compare during my purchasing phase and I would say the main difference are overstated because say a Lollar P90 and say a vintage JM P90 or similar replica, especially with 1960’s models. I think the bridge and scale length have a lot to do with the sound too (Novo is the same as the Fenders in this regard). I would say, however, that the late 50s and early 60s JM do sound different, and seemed less close to the Novo or mid 60s Jazzmasters. I’m sure someone more versed could tell you why, but this was a pretty good sample size of many years and duplicates in some cases in terms of the context I’m speaking from.
Sadly it seems like custom shops are where the big F and big G put all their attention. If it takes CS money to buy a quality guitar might as well go boutique.
I bought a gorgeous Novo Miris J with Gold Foil pickups. Cost $5k. Stop wasting money. Get one of these. You'll never buy anything else again. Saves $1000 if you get one used.
Have you worn one? I mention this in the video that it actually falls more naturally on the body than a real Jazzmaster in terms of weight distribution.
@@VertexEffectsInc yes I have I agree on the weight distribution thing being good it’s the body contour that can feel a bit awkward I think even Rhett has mentioned it a few times but it’s not bad again can get used to it it’s cool you’re highlighting such a great instrument. Are the pickups hot or low output ? I’m guessing low with your taste.
@@volumemacgillicutty3956 I went onto Fender’s Customer Shop page and put together a Tele for just over $2,000. Interestingly, I thought that many of the options appeared somewhat limited. For example, I didn’t see any road worn options and I knew Ive seen road worn custom Telecasters before. Is there a more expensive Custom Shop that I’m not aware of?
I bought this one used (as I said in the video). I think it was $2650...so a pretty significant savings, and maybe $500 or so less than a Fender Custom Shop, but a way better guitar than any Custom Shop Fender Jazzmaster I'd played (or even vintage for that matter).
I bought one used as well. They are not cheap, however, the value lies in how well they play, stay in tune and sound. I have quite a few really nice guitars. Fenders, Gibsons, I even have a Rickenbacker. The Novo is the best of all of them.
I think from the purist standpoint, sure - and I say that in the video. But, I think some of the important elements to the sound, like the style of bridge and scale length have equal importance to the sound - both of which would be standard for a Fender or Novo in that regard.
They are P90s but not the same as what's in a JM, but I suppose you could route for that if you really wanted it. It just sounded great as-is so I didn't want to mess with it. Outside of the pickups and switching, the scale length and bridge are very important to the sound, in that regard it's all Fender. I played a lot of Jazzmaster guitars of the last year, none of them touched this. Vintage or otherwise. As I say in the video, it's not a purist Jazzmaster, but still that's the foundation of the guitar, no JM, no Serus J.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Intro Jam
00:16 - My history with Jazzmasters
01:52 - How I came to find the Novo Serus J
02:45 - Neck Pickup Blues Tones
03:30 - Yellow Ledbetter
04:00 - Neck Pickup Clean Tones
04:32 - Walking On The Moon
05:16 - Middle Pickup R&B Tones
05:48 - Drift Away
06:48 - Lightweight Body really sings
07:05 - What separates a GOOD guitar from a GREAT guitar?
07:24 - Hearing Novo Serus J in a track
08:01 - Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (neck pickup)
08:17 - Danger Zone (bridge pickup)
10:38 - Brass In Pocket (middle pickup)
11:47 - Final thoughts on the Novo Serus J
13:35 - Thanks for Watching!
Great looking guitar man, congratulations!
You’re the trend setter here…I just followed your lead. Should’ve listened to you earlier! Fabulous instrument!
I DONT LIKE the looking;and for this money i can get 3-4 guitars!Its not a secret to build good guits!
@@RhettShull After watching your original Novo videos, I decided to try one out. I was lucky enough to find one in the burgundy sparkle, a Serus J, like yours, only better. It's a 3 pickup with dual mini-humbuckers and a middle Firebird style pickup. Totally amazing with 7 sound combinations.
I do love my 1959 Jazzmaster, but, sorry to say, the Novo beats it. I then got a beautiful Miris J. That's my #1!
I've had the opportunity to try out quite a few Novo guitars. All of them were excellent.
I've found the same...it took me a while to come around. Now I need to learn how to play the guitar a little better so I can sneak in a few Tubbs-isms.
Man I just love the education you gave
My friend has a bunch of Novo guitars... The first time I played them they all felt like I've been playing them my whole life. Just so easy and responds perfectly to anything you ask of it. Gotta get me some!
They're wonderful!
P90s are often confused with Jazzmaster pickups because they look so similar, but my understanding is that they are not the same thing. Novo guitars use P90 pickups. Jazzmaster pickups look like P90s but they are their own thing and unique to Jazzmasters. As you said, it doesn't really matter as long as you love it! But They are different. Stunning Guitar, I hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Right on brother. Love my Serus J, feels like the most important electric guitar of our era. Hope to see a lot of other folks getting on board in the coming years.
Sounds awesome. Middle position kills🙌🙌🙌🙌
Agreed!
like i said in the nashville pedalboard video...we need more of this kind of content...love this stuff!!! don't love the guitar look...but sound is kick butt!!!
More to come!
I've had my Serus J for almost 6 years now. Absolutely incredible guitar. It's absolutely incredible. I also own a Danocaster offset and the NOVO is just on another level. It's own unique and masterful thing. Mason, amazing content as always!
I love this guitar...really, I find myself picking it up on almost everything for the last several months.
I love your guitar playing and show!
Wow, thanks!
Great work Mason! I’m sure the comments are divisive. Wishing you peace and good vibes man
It's all pretty tame...the internet is undefeated after all, so we have to respect that ;)
Truly some of the best guitars on the market!
Agreed 👍
Great video! I have a Voltur and Miris J. They are my favorite guitars in my collection and I too got good deals on them used. I don’t see folks mention the Voltur very often, but it plays and sounds amazing.
Thanks 🙏 such great guitars
Brother is makin love to that tremolo bar!!!! Love it!!!
Hahaha 😂
Congrats Mason! I bought a 2018 Novo Serus T off Craigslist about 5 years ago. It's killer! Amalfitano P-45 neck, single coil bridge. 100 year old reclaimed pine. As you now know... Fantastic guitar!
Sounds amazing! Those pickups are stellar!
i’ve been interested in NOVO, but i love my fano JM6
Both are great, and depending on the year Novo, could have also been made by Dennis.
wONDERFULL GUITAR, MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL HAVE ONE HERE IN BRAZIL ON MY GIGS
This one is perfection
I love my Novo Serus J. It's the best guitar I ever owned. Sounds incredible, stay's in tune extremely well and plays like a dream.
Agreed!
Love my Serus J. Just got my Miris T a month ago and its phenomenal. Already eyeing and Idris HSS and selling off the rest of my collection. I never reach for anything that isn't a Novo these days.
I'm definitely considering getting another model!
I have a Fano bass. I really think the neck is amazing. One of the best I’ve ever held.
I didn't even know they made basses! I bet it's great!
Killer guitar, my friend! Congrats on the new addition!
It's been with me since December 2023, but just now getting around to making the video now that I've had some time with it :). Thanks for watching Mark!
Congrats man! Killer tone!
Wow, thanks!
I had one that was Uffington green with Amalfitano P90s. I sold it because you can't keep everything. It was a great guitar.
A bet it was great!
I have a Serus J ice blue metallic over three tone sunburst, and it’s the best feeling guitar I own, including some stellar big brand name instruments. Mine has the gold foil Lollar’s - incredible My next three best sounding and playing guitars are all Fano’s. Dennis is just a genius.
Agreed!
I feel you bro. I just got me a red Player II and I'm a Strat guy too. You can do a bunch of different tones with this beast for sure. Really liked the Flame maple neck on yours, and mine comes in at just above eight pounds with that alder body, while yours comes at an enviable six. Nice axe
Thanks for this review! No surprise really that a boutique company can zone in on making a great guitar.
They're doing it right and in some decent volume as well which is refreshing!
@@VertexEffectsInc And since we often hear with our eyes, I have to say that color combination is killer!
I ordered a custom Serus J having never been in the same room as a Novo, and 14 months later I played a Novo for the first time (they had quite a backlog in 22/23). Easily one of the best guitars I’ve ever played.
Heck yeah!
Awesome guitars but out of my budget! I put together a Telemaster with two Bare Knuckles P90s and it is a real workhorse, covering a huge range. P90s are very different to Jazzmaster pickups so while I like them, I am still on the fence about getting a proper Jazzmaster. I love the feel of those vibratos, though...
I got this one used for $2650...not sure if that's what you had in mind, but seems like it's possible to get them for a decent price for a boutique instrument.
I have a Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster team built. It is one of the best i have ever played. Always seems to be in tune, great tones, and resonant. Mine is a keeper. I may have lucked out as I know that all guitars differ. It’s always nice to hear that you got a good one. Enjoy! I’ll try and play one of those if I can find one. 👍
Great news!
Congratulations on that beautiful guitar Mason. I compared one to a Suhr JM Pro. I ultimately chose the Suhr but I'm still holding out for the Novo.
Rock on!
Sounds awesome! I want one eventually. I first fell for his Fano line when Dennis made them. The RB6T was on my list but the cost and lack of options made me decide to just build one myself. My thoughts on a great guitar is the biggest factor is using great pickups like Lollars, then using quality parts, well built, set up just right. Dennis does great relic work. I’m just not a fan of how rough some of the finishes are on the Novo line.
It's an amazing guitar...they "get it" as far as I'm concerned and Dennis seems to have his finger on the pulse of how to root a guitar in the vintage style, but give it a modern twist. The finish on this one is pretty unreal, probably not what I would have picked if I had ordered one from Novo, but it's pretty great and unique.
Dang, that is a deal! I have been shopping for a Serus J for years... sort of $$. I have been playing a JM with Curtis Novak's for years and every other JM I have played falls short. This video has renewed my hunt for a Serus deal... Thanks for the inspiration. Also, way too many trolls in these comments! Keep at it, always watch your vids. @VertexEffectsInc
I'm sure you'll find a great one! They're very impressive!
I like the unique looks (especially the colors they have) and sound but I don’t have the money for one.
I got this one for $2650 second hand...there are some deals to be had in you're willing to buy used!
Love the video. Ever try a G&L Doheny? I bought one and then had the V12 G&L pickup/pickgaurd put in and it is just WOW.
Yes, they're very nice!
Never played a cs fender but I can say my Novo is perfect for me.
something magical about a P90. Great demo. Their "tempered" body and neck is like roasted, thermal treated, torrefied, etc? Mmmm, toasty!
So good! Thanks for watching!
great versatility! i like it
Yes, indeed!
I have a Fano PX6 Alt de facto with firebird pickups and it's an incredibly versatile guitar. I think Dennis Fano has just figured it out
Fano is a genius. The Leo Fender of our time if I could be so bold. He's really got a unique angle and way of seeing things and can execute a quality instrument consistently.
Been on the fence about these for a while. Played one at Norman's that was second had around NAMM time that was really good and fairly priced at around $2500. Regret not getting it then. This may have pushed me over the edge.
I think you'll be really happy with it!
Well, I had Gabriel Currie custom make me a Echopark J with a Goldcoil in the Bridge and a JM (both by Arcane)…I had Gabe make me three characteristics: Bridge Jimmy Page, Bridge and Middle Chet Atkins and Neck Herb Ellis…..It does it and the Mastery Bridge STAYS IN TUNE!
Awesome!
Thanks for your review. Very accurate... but maybe it even sounds good but the shape takes me back in time sixty years...
It's grown on me, frankly it sounded so good, I didn't care what it looked like.
@@VertexEffectsInc Yes, right! But I believe that the eye also wants its part... 🤷♂
@@SirJo55 nobody can see your guitar on a record, so if it's the right tool, I'm sure you could suffer through ;)
I have a Miris P, Best guitar I have ever played, and a versatile tool for almost any job. The only other guitar I need is my Josh Williams Mockingbird ( ES335 ). But of course I have others I wont let go of :)
Great! They're amazing!
I have a serus J and dang, it freakin rips! I wish I could share a pic of mine it’s gnarly. I have a p90 in the neck and a mini humbucker in the bridge. I think I almost bought yours, if not, it looked just like yours. There’s also another brand of Dennis Fano’s, who makes Novo, it’s simply just called “Fano”, I own 3, and they are all so different, yet so much fuel to make you sit down and create some music. However, Novo is his “Cadillac”. I recommend both! Also, you make some gnarly pedals my friend, I have the Dynamic Distortion, and love it.
Great sounds. I've owned multiple Novos, and both vintage and modern Jazzmasters. Aside from the influence of the offset body, Novo is really nothing like a Jazzmaster -- it's a completely different beast. The biggest thing that makes the Novo what it is are the Fralin P90s. Jazzmaster pickups are nothing like the Fralins - JM pickups are brighter, hi-fi, and stringy-er, relative to the growl and bark you get from the Fralins that come in the Novo. The combination of the Mastery bridge + the Fralins lends a different sound than you get in many P90 guitars because of the additional harmonics that you get from the bridge+trem system. The Novo is a classic in its own right and given all the differences with a JM, it deserves its own category.
I don't know if I dispute this totally in the video. I say pretty clearly for the JM purist, they won't find these to be equivalent.
However, I still think impact of 1) scale length 2) the bridge 3) Bolt On Neck and 5) the overstated difference between JM pickups and vintage style P90's needs to be reconciled.
When you actually do the test, comparing (in my case) a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, despite the physical differences, the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries.
So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field.
However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals).
Again, I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but it's in that category of guitar, and say this in the video.
However, despite the pickups, again, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
That body shape is beautiful. Obviously an homage to the offset body, not a copy. I own a Jag and a Jazzmaster.
Ok, wonderful!
The p 90s help a great deal. (I am just a fan of p 90s in general)
I feel like I’m fighting too much brightness with my JM’s. What are you doing different with that setup?
Probably the fact that they're not the same as a JM P90 might help. The Lollars to me are darker than some of the other's I've tried (but work well with brighter guitars like this). I think the Mastery Bridge is also a little more tame on the top end.
@ yep you nailed it I’m still using a more stock set up to try and get a decent tone with the one meg pots and a set of McNelly jazz master pick ups-unless I run everything else completely different basically hard low passed it has that fingernail on the chalkboard vibe-it doesn’t hurt that Dennis makes an incredible guitar on top of that (mine is a Fender/Warmoth hybrid). Thx for the info Mason
Order a Warmoth Jazzmaster and have a professional put it together. It’ll be to your exact specs and save you a ton of money (depending on fancy wood choices etc). I bought a used warmoth Jazzmaster someone put together, it’s the best guitar I’ve played.
Connecting to an instrument is fundamental whatever the brand - Maybe it just so happens Novo may have a higher percentage of these players... and then hitting that TopGun riff - Perfect.
I have an early Serus T from Coda Music St Evenage, amazing guitar. Then I traded the Suhr in the profile pic towards a Serus J from Peach, and it's next level again. Can't think how you could improve it. Simple, stable, perfect neck, versatile controls. Goes from a jangle to a scream...
Great news!!!
Sounds great Mason! Can I ask, where did your backing tracks come from? Recreation or can you isolate the instruments?
I had some of these multitracks and others I used software to isolate along with Izotope.
In my high school garage band era...NOBODY played Jazzmasters or Jaguars. Mostly SG's, ES style and Teles, with the occasional Strat seen and heard...and that's because of the style of music being played around town: Stax and British Invasion.
Sweet guitar, but I wouldn't necessarily compare it to a jazzmaster because the Novo actually has P90 pickups. Offset shape, bridge, and bolt-on 25.5 neck will feel like JM, but those PUs are a game changer. My opinion: P90s are much more versatile than JM PUs (for my purposes). Nice playing and nice guitar, but would have been a good opportunity to mention the common misconception that P90 and JM are the same.
I think the difference are more overstated than they are practically for recording, and there needs be an acknowledgment of the scale length and bridge (as you did, and I have in other comments here). When you actually do the test, comparing (in my case) a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, despite the physical differences, the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument. My aim in the video wasn't to answer the question of common misconceptions...it was simply, if you're looking for a JM style guitar, and you're not finding it with a high end Fender, here's an alternative consideration.
@@VertexEffectsInc Thank you for your very thorough response. I was thinking that since you stated in the video you had a hard time getting alomg with a lot of jazzmasters, but found this guitar suited your tastes, maybe the pickups had a lot to do with your feelings. 8.25k vs 8.38k sounds similar, but I don't find that translates between different constructions such as magnetic poles vs magnetic bars necessarily. I didn't look at pots and the rest of the details on the Novo, but that also has a lot to do with the distinctive JM wiring that can be finicky for somethings.
Cool color
Yea...I wasn't sure about it, but it's grown on me. I'll admit though, it's hard to film with because of all the reflections.
I also have a Serus J (2016 model made by Dennis while he was still in PA) and everything he says is true. It's a great guitar and feels great. He fails to to mention the biggest and most important part of the guitar's sound though. It's the P90 pickups. They are so overlooked by people. Putting P90s in any guitar will get you similar sounds. I have 3 guitars with p90s and they all sound fantastic and can play any genre of music including metal.
P90s in any guitar? No dude...so many other factors. And which P90s? How potted are they? How many winds? Also, thinks like a floating bridge, top loaded, 25.5" scale length - these all are factors in the sound. If what you say it correct, than my '60 Les Paul Junior should be close to my Novo - both P90's right!? Strangely they sound nothing like each other.
@VertexEffectsInc Sure they are all factors but like I said it's a great guitar but you failed to mention the most important factor of why it sounds so good. Your guitar probably has Fralin p90s in it, give them some credit too. In my previous comment I should have been more clear and said "throw those same p90s in any guitar and get a similar sound". If we are talking just the tone coming out of your speaker and not what you are simultaneously hearing acoustically and feeling against your body as it resonates the other stuff you mentioned is secondary. Sure it's a total package and you play great and sound great but throw some normal single coil pickups in it and tell me what it sounds like. Throw some humbuckers in it and tell me what it sounds like. Luckily Novo already does that and we don't have to assume, yes, they sound totally different than your guitar.
I think a good old 50’s Les Paul with those old PUPs with a Tele vibe sounds quite similar.
Scale length and the bridge have quite an impact on the sound. Don't get me wrong, a 50's LP is special - but it's a different scale length, bridge, wood - and a lot more of it.
@@VertexEffectsInc oh yes. It’s chimier for sure, versus richer, but still you could get by. You have incredible ears. Mine are vintage!
NGDs are always fun
Yes 👍
Those Novos are gorgeous, unfortunately haven´t come across a lefty one l could try out.
l´m crazy about how jazzmasters look, but they are a very quirky instrument. l honestly like their general tone better than a strat, but strats play much better IMO, tremolo works better, and to me particularly, the possibility of knob volume swells does it. All that being said, l´ll take a tele anyday over either. l feel this could be strictly personal, but there´s always to me a rawness and honesty in the tele l can´t find on any other fender model.
This guitar has the mojo brother.
Bonus of this guitar is that has slightly smaller body shape and seems easier to play and hold it !
Very easy to play.
Im a sucker for anything silver sparkle!
We better not take you to the wishing well ;)
You don't even need an OD pedal to get the OD John Mayer sound, you can get it with p90's and a well setup amp
I didn’t here with how I had the amps set. I did use some delay and reverb however.
Haven't seen the whole video yet but these seem quite different to jazzmasters, P90s and Jazzmaster pickups are quite different beasts.
Not as much as you'd think when you actually do the test. I compared to a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
The guitar looks awesome. But only the one actually playing it can feel what special is the guitar or not. Sounds and records are always as good as you want or can.with any guitar.
Feel is a big factor, to the degree it's possible to show that, I tried.
Sounds awesome, looks awesome just not sure I like the wooden clog headstock lol
lol. I had never seen it as a clog before but I can’t unsee it now!
@@Fitzpa14 🤣
Hahahaha! Scandinavian Headstock! I didn't see it until now, LOL!
Regarding your Novo Serus J Guitar, Are the Fralin P-90's a hum cancelling pickup Alnico , or is it a typical 1950's P-90's without hum cancelling with alnico II?
No, they're not hum-cancelling. Not sure what model they are, but appear to be standard soap-bar style vintage-voiced P90.
Thank you, your video was awesome!
Did the pretenders brass in pocket, the Police walking on the moon , Dan Huff Danger zone they used a Fender Jazzmaster guitar in the studio for these songs? I know Beach Boys Carl Wilson used a Jazzmaster for most of the songs/albums before the album pet sounds.
No way...I would be shocked if there were one used on any of those. It was more to illustrate how it cover a lot of ground.
@@VertexEffectsInc Ya the jazzmaster pickups can do a lot. Hendrix used a Jazzmaster before on certain songs before the Jimi Hendrix Experience you can see pictures of him with a red colored one. The Upper controls on a jazzmaster are also use for Grunge music, Clapton cream woman tone, SLASH GNR woman tone, etc.
Check it out on what you can do with the jazzmaster upper control bank to make a video lesson about it. They use 500K pots but the lower channel pots use 1Meg to get extra chime. I'm not sure which your guitar uses 250K pots? you should find out
Novos are hard on the eyes. I've been buying and recommending G&L instead.
I have a G&L Custom Shop and they're great. There's a video of it on the channel. I have to say, this instrument (and the few that I've played) really stand out as "special" comparatively to almost anything out there. It's a unique look for sure, but delivers where it matters.
I have a Novo, and I can’t argue that I’m not a huge fan of the headstock anyway. That said they sound and play so well. It has become my go to Guitar and I would never consider selling it
Novo is a nice really expensive boutique guitar. Very popular with the hipster kids. Just watched Bonamassa reminding everyone that most of the greatest music ever made used cheap junk by today's standards. So, there's perspective. But Novos are nice !
Wonder what his examples were? I guess nothing beats a Stratocaster, Tele, or Les Paul as far as electric guitar music is concerned in terms of how many hits have been recorded on them. I still think they were pretty expensive even in relative dollars, a Strat was just under $300, and a bit over for a custom color in 1962, so that'd be about $3200 in today's money.
@@VertexEffectsInc Pretty sure the point was "By today's standards". A 59 les Paul was a standard Les Paul. Every Guitar had fret sprout! Every guitar that had problems was sold as new ! The Epiphones the Beatles used were totally standard and some would consider junk today. I know, kids are messed up. A good guitar for an Intermediate to pro guitarist = About one month's wages. That has been a standard since the 1930s, I think.
Does this have a rosewood or ebony fingerboard?
Lovely guitar!! Thanks for sharing and keep up the awesome work brother!!
Thanks! Will do! Thanks for watching!
Do you ever practice with a click? Guitar work sounds fabulous
I probably should...I alway struggle to keep the groove intact.
@@VertexEffectsInc I would have guess you do. It sounds great.
Sorry if I don’t get it - are these jazz master pu’s? Looks like p90. Who makes the pick ups? Sounds really great
They're Lollar's. Any yea, it's a little different from a Jazzmaster pickup. I compared to a Novak I bought and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
@@VertexEffectsInc thanks. Great points. All things matters when it comes to the “perfect” guitar. Probably why many of us are tone hunters. Its not an easy ride 😀😀
While I could use the sound these nevos make, it's a sound of it's own, it's also a one trick pony in that case,akin to my 175 jazz box for example,sure you can rock with it, but it too has a sound of it's own, perfect more for jazz, just not something I feel I want to use all the time as a daily player, I've seen cheap knockoffs of this guitar but they can't match the sound of a nevo, and I'm not sure if nevo sells just a set of pickups.
It’s interesting to hear you say Jazzmasters felt unbalanced to you. Isn’t that one of the main points of the offset shape of a Jazzmaster or Jaguar, that it makes them better balanced to hold? Either sitting or on a strap?
Guitars now are heavier than they were in the 50s and 60s
Rich people's guitar. I love them but a majority of musicians can't afford this. Facts.🎸
I paid $2650 for mine...not a bad deal for a second hand guitar of this quality.
Isn't the body width on all models after the Tele and Strat less? I don't know, I've noticed some are and I was just wondering?
I'm not sure I understand the question. Less money?
Thanks for watching!
Tbh I wouldn't think of that Novo as a Jazzmaster-like instrument...the P 90 are nothing like the Jazzmaster unique single coils. Maybe the bridge, scale lenght and other features are similar but in terms of sounds of course there are way different
Not as much as you'd think when you actually do the test. I compared to a Novak JM pickup that I bought to the Lollar P90s in this guitar, and despite the physical physical differences the Novak neck was 8.25K and the Lollar was 8.38K. The inductance on the Novak was 4.6 Henries, the Lollar 6.4 Henries 4.54 Henries. So, yea the P90 will be a slightly more powerful pickup if they're both set to the same height, and there are some differences on the width of the pickup and the magnetic field. However, you'll notice my pickups are quite low, and don't overdrive, even my Deluxe Reverb with the pickups alone (and need to use pedals). I acknowledge fully that this isn't identical to a JM, but in that category of guitar, and say this in the video. However, despite the pickups, I think under appreciated parts of the guitar that are influential are 1) scale length and 2) the bridge. I think these play big factors in the sound and jangle, and to the degree that most players will take a Jazzmaster in 2024 and use it ways a Jazzmaster was never intended, e.g. light string gauge and played for Indie and Rock 'n Roll music, I think a lot of it's signatures (as Leo intended) have been diluted anyway. I think the use cases make Novo a more palatable guitar for players seeking the JM thing and want a sure thing when they buy a guitar instead of the speculation that is searching for one that says "Fender" but is actually a good instrument.
Does it really sound like a Jazzmaster with those p90s? Or are they Jazzmaster type pickups?
I’ve had a number or originals here to compare during my purchasing phase and I would say the main difference are overstated because say a Lollar P90 and say a vintage JM P90 or similar replica, especially with 1960’s models. I think the bridge and scale length have a lot to do with the sound too (Novo is the same as the Fenders in this regard). I would say, however, that the late 50s and early 60s JM do sound different, and seemed less close to the Novo or mid 60s Jazzmasters. I’m sure someone more versed could tell you why, but this was a pretty good sample size of many years and duplicates in some cases in terms of the context I’m speaking from.
Are those P90’s?
@6:44 oh it definitely shines, shinier than a bald man with oil under the sun
Ha!
In terms of styling, a Strat still beats it out, in my opinion.
Is that a mastery bridge
yes that is . M1 bridge
@@BruceWillke Yes, indeed! Nailed it!
Novo guitars are IMO the absolute shit. I will have one someday! Nice job man sounds choice!
I love it...really one of the bigger surprises for me in my guitar collecting tenure.
Have owned a Serus J. Well made, but returned it. Love my Custom Shop Jazzmaster -- my forever Number One!
Nice video - sorry for posting an ugly comment on your previous video.
No harm done! Thanks for watching!
@@VertexEffectsInc it is easy to forget in Internet land that there is a human receiving the comments written not a faceless thing
Beautiful sounds, but I can't get past the aesthetic. Not for me.
Sadly it seems like custom shops are where the big F and big G put all their attention. If it takes CS money to buy a quality guitar might as well go boutique.
Yea...they're less consistent to find a good GEM - it's like 1 in 10 for Gibsons (maybe more), and maybe 1 in 5 for Fender on a good day.
I bought a gorgeous Novo Miris J with Gold Foil pickups. Cost $5k. Stop wasting money. Get one of these. You'll never buy anything else again. Saves $1000 if you get one used.
Great instruments!
Well for that price it'd better!
$2650...that's well below a Custom Shop even in the used market.
They are great and well built but the body is still awkward but can get used to it
Have you worn one? I mention this in the video that it actually falls more naturally on the body than a real Jazzmaster in terms of weight distribution.
@@VertexEffectsInc yes I have I agree on the weight distribution thing being good it’s the body contour that can feel a bit awkward I think even Rhett has mentioned it a few times but it’s not bad again can get used to it it’s cool you’re highlighting such a great instrument. Are the pickups hot or low output ? I’m guessing low with your taste.
... so long as you have $5,000 to spend.
Same price as a custom fender…and 100 times better…with regularity…better options…just better…
@@volumemacgillicutty3956 I went onto Fender’s Customer Shop page and put together a Tele for just over $2,000. Interestingly, I thought that many of the options appeared somewhat limited. For example, I didn’t see any road worn options and I knew Ive seen road worn custom Telecasters before. Is there a more expensive Custom Shop that I’m not aware of?
@@volumemacgillicutty3956 or cheaper than some fender custom shops😅
I bought this one used (as I said in the video). I think it was $2650...so a pretty significant savings, and maybe $500 or so less than a Fender Custom Shop, but a way better guitar than any Custom Shop Fender Jazzmaster I'd played (or even vintage for that matter).
I bought one used as well. They are not cheap, however, the value lies in how well they play, stay in tune and sound. I have quite a few really nice guitars. Fenders, Gibsons, I even have a Rickenbacker. The Novo is the best of all of them.
P90 it’s all you need.
You'd still need something to install them into...like a guitar ;)
Not even close to a JM - but Novo makes fine guitars
I think from the purist standpoint, sure - and I say that in the video. But, I think some of the important elements to the sound, like the style of bridge and scale length have equal importance to the sound - both of which would be standard for a Fender or Novo in that regard.
Nothing beats a Fender Strat, oh wait a Fender Telecasters does.
What's that have to do with the video?
@@VertexEffectsInc Title ? Better than Fender ? Like I said before Nothing beats a Fender Strat, actually a Telecaster does.
@@RJ_HTx Fender makes many models, this is specific to Jazzmasters - nothing to do with Strats or Teles.
Aren't those P90s? Sounds great, but other than the bridge, it's not really a JM.
They are P90s but not the same as what's in a JM, but I suppose you could route for that if you really wanted it. It just sounded great as-is so I didn't want to mess with it. Outside of the pickups and switching, the scale length and bridge are very important to the sound, in that regard it's all Fender. I played a lot of Jazzmaster guitars of the last year, none of them touched this. Vintage or otherwise. As I say in the video, it's not a purist Jazzmaster, but still that's the foundation of the guitar, no JM, no Serus J.
Any guitar that cost that much should be great and outlive the owner !!!
$2650 used...you'd think that'd get you a great guitar from anyone, turns out it doesn't.