Novo Guitars Serus J Custom | Surfburst Sparkle

The Novo Serus J Custom has a way of feeling instantly familiar while still being unmistakably Novo, but this one is all about the finish. Surfburst Sparkle is absolutely spectacular. The centre has a shimmering seafoam-to-gold character that shifts dramatically with the light before giving way to a vivid ocean-blue sparkle around the edges. There’s almost a mermaid-like quality to it; aquatic, iridescent and completely alive as you move the guitar around. Photos get you part of the way there, but in person the metallic sparkle has incredible depth and movement. The matching headstock carries the finish all the way through, while the aged pearloid pickguard, MOTO block inlays and white P-90 covers give the whole guitar a beautifully cohesive vintage-meets-glam look. It’s easily one of the most striking Novo finishes we’ve had through the gallery.

And underneath all that sparkle, it’s a killer Serus J. The tempered pine body keeps the guitar light, resonant and lively at just 7 lbs 6 oz, while the tempered maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and Medium C profile deliver that wonderfully broken-in Novo feel. A pair of Fralin P-90s gives it plenty of clarity and articulation with the midrange punch and grit that makes a great P-90 so addictive. The Mastery M1 bridge and NV vibrato with Lightning Bolt arm round things out with excellent stability and a beautifully expressive feel. With its Extra Light distressing keeping the focus squarely on that outrageous Surfburst Sparkle, this is one of those guitars that looks special in photographs and somehow manages to be even better in person.