“I wanted to do something that had elements of classic designs, but do them in a twisted way. What if there were this guitar company that existed back in the 50s that was actually a conglomeration of all of these companies that we know, but they were all under one roof?"
~ Dennis Fano (via guitar.com)
Founded by Dennis Fano in 2014 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Novo has become one of the most recognizable names in modern boutique electric guitar building.
Fano draws on the design language of Gibson, Fender, Silvertone, Kay, and Rickenbacker, distilling familiar shapes into something that looks both new and oddly remembered. The current lineup spans the offset Serus J (Novo's flagship), the semi-hollow Miris J, the single-cut Solus, the Idris, the Voltur, and the recent Ivorus - most built from lightweight tempered pine or swamp ash, roasted maple necks, and pickups from Lollar, Fralin, and other top winders. Players including Nels Cline, Jeff Tweedy, and The Bros. Landreth have made Novos part of their working rigs.
The Music Emporium has carried Novo since the early days of the brand, with a selection that covers the core lineup along with custom and signature builds that are hard to find elsewhere. We know how each model speaks and which configurations suit which player - the kind of detail that's worth knowing when you're investing in an instrument designed to be played hard.
(Photo Credit: USA Today)
Cross‑pollinated designs
Dennis Fano melds influences from Gibson, Fender, Silvertone, Kay and Rickenbacker into instruments that look familiar yet feel new.
Addictive playability and feel
Novo guitars are light, ultra‑resonant and built to feel broken‑in from the start. They’re the kind of instruments that keep you playing longer than you intended.
Versatile, inspiring tone
Novo guitars don’t just look and feel great; they sound amazing. Utilizing Fralin and Lollar pickups, tempered woods, aged finishes and premium Mastery hardware only enhance their tonal range.
Novo Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Novo Guitars - what makes them different, the models, and where to play them.
Who makes Novo Guitars, and what makes them different?
Novo is the work of Dennis Fano, founded in 2014 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. The brand is built around an unusual idea: cross-pollinating the design language of Gibson, Fender, Silvertone, Kay, and Rickenbacker into instruments that feel both familiar and new. The result is a small, focused boutique lineup with a distinct identity in the modern electric world.
What Novo models does The Music Emporium typically carry?
Our Novo selection covers the core lineup - the Serus J (Novo's flagship offset), the semi-hollow Miris J, the single-cut Solus, the Idris, the Voltur, and the recent Ivorus - along with custom and signature builds that are hard to find elsewhere. As an authorized dealer since Novo's early days, we also see one-off configurations that don't tend to sit around long.
What is the difference between the Novo Serus J and the Miris J?
The Serus J is Novo's flagship - a solidbody offset that channels classic short-scale and offset designs into Fano's own voice. The Miris J is the semi-hollow companion, with a chambered body that adds airiness and a different attack. Most Novo shoppers are choosing between the two on feel and tonal personality; our staff can walk you through both side by side at the showroom.
What pickups and hardware do Novo guitars use?
Novos are typically loaded with pickups from boutique winders like Lollar and Fralin and use Mastery hardware - a deliberate choice by Dennis Fano to pair his designs with the best complementary components rather than producing everything in-house. Bodies are most often lightweight tempered pine or swamp ash, with roasted maple necks. The combination is a big part of why Novos feel broken-in from the first chord.
Which players use Novo Guitars?
Novos have been part of the working rigs of players including Nels Cline (Wilco), Jeff Tweedy, and The Bros. Landreth - a useful signal that these guitars hold up under serious professional use, not just collector display.