The Novo Serus J is perfect. So why did I mod it? @JustinOstrander
The Novo Serus J is perfect. So why did I mod it?  @JustinOstrander
Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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:
novoguitars.com/serus
reverb.com/shop/novoguitars

Thanks for watching!

MERCH: the-jo-store-2.creator-spring.com

GUITAR AND HOME RECORDING GEAR:
**I will make a small amount of money if you order through the links below, at no extra cost to you**

GREAT mics for speaker cabs:
Heil PR30: amzn.to/3R3u0Mm
Shure SM57: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW5D4N
Sennheiser e609 Silver: sweetwater.sjv.io/oqJWrE

My acoustic microphone:
Miktek C5 small diaphragm condenser: sweetwater.sjv.io/EKAj3Q
They come in matched pairs, too: sweetwater.sjv.io/NkEVZb

Mic cables (mic to pre, pre to interface OR mic to interface):
15 ft: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXEG9o
20 ft: sweetwater.sjv.io/9gq3Kj
50 ft: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0AXx3

Audio interface:
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkoP7R

Monitor cables TRS-XLR male
-5ft (right monitor) sweetwater.sjv.io/KjEAQe
-10ft (left monitor) sweetwater.sjv.io/q4oqPg

Monitors:
Yamaha Powered 5" Monitors HS5: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0AXm3
Yamaha Powered 8" Monitors HS8: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW5DbN
HS8 bundle with stands and a sub: sweetwater.sjv.io/m51BAa

If you do want to go ALL OUT, here's my mic pre:
Chandler TG2 Abbey Road edition: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyEgox
requisite PSU-1 power supply: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKjG9X

==GEAR I use EVERY DAY==
**I will make a very small amount of money if you order through these links below, at no extra cost to you**

Revv D20 sweetwater.sjv.io/6eAaLQ
UA OX Amp Top Box sweetwater.sjv.io/vNyLk3

PolyTune headstock tuner sweetwater.sjv.io/k0znKV

D’Addario NYXL 10-46 sweetwater.sjv.io/daLXW2
D’Addario NYXL 11-49 sweetwater.sjv.io/Nkzdx1
D’Addario 10.5-48 (VERY COOL) sweetwater.sjv.io/y2yDKG
D’Addiaro Baritone 13-62 sweetwater.sjv.io

Dunlop Large glass slide 213 sweetwater.sjv.io/k0zndV

Revv Shawn Tubbs Tilt Overdrive sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZmraE
Nobels ODR-1 Natural Overdrive sweetwater.sjv.io/oqz2ME
Jackson Audio Hourglass Dual Compressor sweetwater.sjv.io/R5YY1y

Line6 HX Effects sweetwater.sjv.io/g1DznX
Eventide H9 MAX sweetwater.sjv.io/EK9n6D
Strymon Mobius Modulation sweetwater.sjv.io/75yAg5
Strymon Timeline delay sweetwater.sjv.io/LXnvk0
Meris Mercury7 Reverb sweetwater.sjv.io/q4ARdg
Meris Polymoon Delay sweetwater.sjv.io/rQGvdD

Revv D20 sweetwater.sjv.io/6eAaLQ
UA OX Amp Top Box sweetwater.sjv.io/vNyLk3
Blackstar HT Stage 100 Mk III sweetwater.sjv.io/k0JbJd

Support the channel:
Paypal tip jar: ostrandermusic@gmail.com
Venmo tip jar: @justinostrander

My guitar setup guy:
macmillanguitars.com

My favorite studio headphones:
gk-music.com

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!
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Justin Ostrander |

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

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