Novo Serus JHH Custom Blocks (Coke Bottle Green, 2026)

Ede's verdict: a real head-turner, with the tone and the attitude to back it up.

Dennis Fano and his crew in Nashville hardly need an introduction from us. What they get out of a piece of wood in terms of modern vintage feel and resonance is about as good as it gets right now. And we've landed another good one: a 2026 Novo Serus JHH Custom from single ownership that takes no prisoners, in looks or in sound.

Looks: elegance with a bit of attitude

The Coke Bottle Green Sparkle finish is something else. Under stage lights it more or less explodes, yet up close the fine Novo ageing keeps it tasteful and makes it feel like an old friend. Together with the matching headstock and the perloid block inlays, this Serus has real charm — the right balance of elegance and rock'n'roll.

Body and feel: featherweight tempered pine

The body is tempered pine, and this Serus JHH comes in at a comfortable 3.37 kg. It's perfectly balanced sitting down or on a strap, and it feels familiar from the first chord.

The tempered maple neck has a very comfortable C profile, and with the compound radius (9.5"–14") on a nicely figured rosewood board it stays easy right up to the top frets.

The sound: vintage chime from Lollar Lollartrons

Where Novo has really gone its own way is the sound, and that's what sets this JHH apart. The configuration uses two Lollar Lollartrons — not standard humbuckers, but Jason Lollar's high-end take on the legendary early-60s Filter'Tron sound. They combine the quiet of a humbucker with the open, bell-like character of a very good single coil:

Lows and mids: extremely tight, articulate bass and lovely crisp, focused mids. Perfect for snappy rhythm work that cuts through a band.

Highs: a sweet, open top end with that particular three-dimensional chime and twang that makes you want to keep playing, and never hurts your ears.

Dynamics: the Lollartrons work beautifully with the resonant pine. The guitar responds to the lightest change in your picking hand and cleans up perfectly when you roll the volume back.

The Mastery tremolo is another highlight. For us it's the best system on the market: silky smooth, very musical, and it holds tuning absolutely.

The guitar comes from excellent single ownership and was bought at Max Guitars in early 2026.

It's in as-new condition apart from a slight mark on the back, caused by the rubber of a guitar stand. It could easily pass for part of the ageing if nobody pointed it out, but we'd rather say so — and you only see it from certain angles and in certain light.

In short

If you want a Serus J with character, one you won't see on every corner, and which delivers at the top level on sound, feel and looks, this Coke Bottle Green Sparkle JHH is the one. At this price it's a no-brainer for players and collectors alike.