I bought an Enya Go guitar a little over a year ago. It’s a scaled down travel instrument. It has all those features, except no humbuckers. I take it with me everywhere. It’s great! I did add fret markers, I wish it came with inlays. Enyas’ customer service is very responsive, too!
Enjoy it! I really like this one. Super-fun to play and IMHO it sounds good. I may do a blind test video with this (and maybe 3 or 4 other guitars) to see what people guess. It would be fun. We'll see how this does.
@@MarkZabel I'm still playing around with mine... learning what it does. But, like you said, it's just nice to be able to go into another room and play (+ it takes headphones) and not bug the wife... makes for peace in the marriage!! Your blind test sounds like a cool idea. I love your stuff and you've taught me stuff! Thanks.
I have purchased 3 Enyas to date. Two travel (one electric) guitars and one ukulele with built in electrics. So good and definitely worth buying. So much fun. I still play my other “normal” acoustic and electric guitars and ukuleles - Epiphone, Aria, Fender Strat & Telecaster, Maton, Lunar and others BUT always enjoy picking up the Enyas for fun! I’m now banned from buying any more….but………😂🎸🤜🇮🇹🇦🇺
I would say that this is a lovely looking guitar with plenty of features for what it costs. Great for practice and for exploring new sounds. I tend to go for traditional guitars (eg Les Paul 59 Reissue etc) but it is refreshing to see innovative companies that push boundaries.
I feel the same (though less enthused about the looks). I'm totally a traditional guitar guy. I don't like the pointy headstocks and stuff. But I have to admit I like this.
Thanks for this post 👋🤜👌 Man so tempted to buy another (don’t tell the wife!!). Love. The “free ride”. Keep on rocking 🎉👌🎸 Cheers from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
@@MarkZabel ok, so I gave in an bought one on line tonight! 😂 Can’t wait to get my hands on it 🤘 Thank you Mark. I’m really enjoying your posts mate. Cheers from “down under” 🇦🇺👋👋
@@MarkZabel So good Mark. I’m not selling my 67 Telecaster just yet 😂😂 I reckon that Enya is the “Tesla of Guitars” but hey, what would I know 😊 Long live us septuagenarians who just keep on “rockin’ down the highway” 🤘🤘 Cheers mate 👋👋
That's interesting. Went and checked out the website. It is more affordable then I had expected. Could be a good back yard beater? Carbon fiber, should be tough.
I did, but in a short video, not this one. The issue is that it's going to sound poor - not because it does, but because of the difference in recording equipment I have. My condenser mics don't sound anywhere near as good as when I record direct to mixer or with one of my higher-end dynamic mics. It sounds like a good, but very small and not-at-all powerful speaker. You won't be able to use it for a gig, but it works for practicing in your bedroom.
@@MarkZabel If it sounds like a Ancoustic through the built in speaker, that would be good enough. could you send Me the link to the short version where it does. I am good at mixing and mixing and mastering. Not as good as Chris Lord Alge or Andrew Scheps, but same mixing methods, but from a bed room, mix is very different from a actual studio.
Thank you for actually TUNING the instrument properly before reviewing it! - You're literally the ONLY one who tuned the instrument properly! 😀 -- It's almost as though all the other UA-cam "influencers" with a few 10k subscribers Enya approached and sponsored deliberated tuned it off-key to sabotage the sound! 😀 -- PS. Just bought one based off this review. Been playing since 1987 - have over 120 guitars here in the US and overseas, mostly Gibson LPs and Fender Strats, and what I liked was the minimalist design, the carbon fiber, no cables, lightweight, and the app possibilities - just take it to to the bed or couch and play with or without earbuds and then set it aside and go to sleep. Easy-peasy.
I bought one, it will be a while until I get it. I just mainly want it for practice in my living room. But, it will never replace my Fender Strat or my Taylor's or my jumbo acoustic Guild. I am still looking at buying an American Fender Tele. So this Nova Go Sonic will be just for using when I don't feel like hooking up my gear.
Here you go. ua-cam.com/users/shorts1RiNWjGe5Qc It sounds pretty good - as far as onboard speakers go. I don't really have great condenser mics and booms to record the sound from the guitar speaker.
Here we go again, really love you channel, typing this before watching. I bought one of these, not as described as most UA-camrs have reviewed, how much of that is personal preference? I agree it plays fantastic, I’m a fender / ovation guy. So I was surprised. Volume is terrible especially with clean tones, distortion sounds are rattly, all presets sound terrible when battery starts to get low. Only 4 presets within guitar, must use app for more (not a lot of presets to choose from, unless I’m missing how to get more?) (no tone knob) no onboard tuner also. Weight seems unbalanced, to me.
Interesting and thanks! Appreciate the feedback. Meant to mention the lack of a tone knob - that's a bummer for me. I'm guessing I won't use the software much (or at all), but if so, none of the presets work for me. They sound like so many of the modern digital products (like Zoom multi-pedals and such) - way too much treble and not enough bass and mid EQ. And way too much emphasis on high-gain. For me, 4 button selections are at least 1 more than I need, so I'm okay with that.
I want to know the material of the neck. Is it also carbon fiber or is it wood. I'm hoping it's a carbon fiber neck. It would never warp because of temp and humidity.
Did I miss it or did he do a review of a guitar with an onboard speaker without playing through the onboard speaker? If I missed it, sorry. If it’s not there….WHY?
Personally , I think it looks very good . I know there’s lots of purists out there that are saying “ it’s all about tone woods “ but it looks decent enough and if it comes in at the right price they will sell. I like the built in speaker, like you said it’s good for practice without setting up your amp. Having said all that I’m just a hobby guitarist and I’m sure professional guitarists will not appreciate it. 👍👍
I would just like more options that black and white. And I'm not into the black hardware, black finish. I know some people are. I was impressed with it. I'm going to keep it for a while. Super-light for practice. Could wear on my shoulder all night.
This guitar sounds like the makers cribbed form a bunch of other stuff: Parker Guitars (carbon fiber neck) , Brian May ( zero fret), onboard effects ( line 6) and the sound didn't translate well via UA-cam: fizzy and thin. Interesting ideas, making a kitchen sink guitar. Nice demo.
sub $500 for a reason. Any guitar with an onboard speaker and effects controlled by a smart phone will never make it past a bedroom. Play it hard for an hour and then tell me its still in tune and you still love it.
@@MarkZabel If you can read and contextualize, no. That's where I (and most everybody per your viewing stats) fell asleep. So we can't and wouldn't quite anything after. lol you stoooopid
Is this the future? Maybe. It is not the first guitar with integrated effects, I think the "Vox Phantom" had that as well, or other models like the "Gibson Firebird X". It can be a solution for beginners with all gear in one guitar to start, but in my opinion it sounds too poor to use it for recording or stage.
Definitely sounds thin with onboard effects. Cool , but as is I look at it as a great kids guitar. Drop the effects, add volume and tone and then we can try it again.
Sounds like a toy guitar lol! Years ago I made a guitar at home with a book and 6 elastic bands wrapped around the book and 2 pencils one on either side to Prop up the elastic bands, I'm thinking now I could market that, after hearing this.
Go for it. I'd bet if I didn't show it or played it along with another guitar or two - blindly - that most people wouldn't know. As Les Paul said, people hear with their eyes. I may do a video like that. We'll see.
I understand. I had a Parker a long time ago. Same issue. I bought some adhesives made for the fretboard and it solved the problem. Honestly, it doesn't take long to get used to not having markers on top. (They're on the side.) But for me it's an issue, because I can't use it for teaching.
Yeah, it's interesting. If it didn't play so well, I'd be a little more skeptical. Well, for you though, I would think it would be a "No", because it's basically a Les Paul Jr. design! (I.e., not a Strat!)
I don't think it sounds bad, especially not as bad as some people seem to think. I'd have to actually play one to form a real opinion. It's always kind of hard to tell how something sounds through a youtube video, also my speakers are ancient which doesn't help.
Yes, it's always hard to tell. Even if you have good speakers, people will add pedals and a bunch of post-processing. I always demo equipment with nothing but the amp and guitar and without post-processing. Even so, you're getting a sound based on UA-cam's compression too, so who knows.
Has some great specs but I still don't like it. Leave the carbon fiber for the super cars guitar's are made from wood. And sorry but hate the electronics.
Recording direct via XLR to the interface, as usual. Sounds pretty close to what it sounds like in the room. The onboard sounds were not tweaked. They're similar to the presets on any of these sorts of things - Zoom multipedals and such. They tend to create presets with a "scooped" sound favored by metal players - or even just "trebly". That's what these presets sound like to me.
Great idea, poor execution. I ordered one off Amazon and returned it after just a couple of days. Felt like a TOY. Internal amp/speaker was unimpressive. App was pretty bad too.
I'm 69. I've been messing with the guitar for over 50 years. Never took lessons. I have 2 enya guitars. Half and quarter size nova go. The quarter size came with QR codes and free apps. But they wanted to know your exact location and have access to your files and contacts. WHY. The instruments are great. But it's just a means for the CCP to get to know you. Buy the guitars, but don't do their spy ware.
What do you get from Enya for making this video? I've seen a ton of youtubers promoting this thing. I actually bought this and sent it back. It's a plastic guitar with no soul. The internal speaker sounds like garbage and the effects are amateur. If you turn it up it creates horrible feedback and the push/pull knob kept coming off! That said, it was playable as a regular guitar and the pickups were pretty good but I don't need another regular guitar. Nice try Enya but if the internal speaker is unsatisfying I have no reason for this. Maybe version 2.0 will be better.
I got the guitar, that's it. Maybe you got a dud. Did you think I was overly enthusiastic about anything but the use as a "regular" guitar? (I.e., a "regular" guitar that is one-piece carbon fiber construction with all of the features (E.g., zero fret) that it has.)
@@MarkZabel It's not really carbon fiber. It's more like plastic. No offense, but it would be better if peopled reviewed stuff they didn't get for free. Would you buy it if you had to pay for it? Love your lessons and other guitar stuff!
Lets look down the road a bit... after the one year warranty has passed, and the battery stops working... Who will you take this carbon fiber composite shell of a guitar to for repairs. Will there even be replacement parts for this guitar. Remember this is a digital guitar. Once its battery no longer holds a charge It will not work when plugged into an amp. or audio interface. I don't know about anyone else but when I invest in a musical instrument I want it to last. I have tried contacting Enya-music in regards to this and have not received any response from them. Has anyone else been successful in contacting Enya music. I like the look and sound of these guitars, but I must admit I do not like the idea of just throwing money away on anything that has no service support. Its not like your standard instrument that you can take it to any music shop for repairs. I wish those who review products such as these would look at the full picture before posting any positive or negative comments. This is not meant to discredit Mark, he is a wonderful musician and teacher. Thank you Mark for your efforts in bring new and interesting equipment to light.
Thanks Robert. That's an interesting angle I didn't consider. Having said that, I'm fairly sure it works passively in the case that the battery runs out. You'd still be able to run it through an amp. You just wouldn't be able to use the onboard effects. (Which IMHO aren't quite up to snuff yet anyway ... but I could be wrong and just not have the patience with the digital amp models.)
@@seanleeduncanyou can get access to the electronics by removing the back plate. the guitar works like a normal guitar if plugged into an amp if the onboard amp is off. you can also use the digital pedals to run it through another amp. its niche is travel and convenient practicing, not replacing a fully kitted out fender or gibson of course. its also not a "digital" guitar; it has magnetic pickups and mechanic steel strings. there are digital guitars without pickups and strings
Buying a pricey electric car with scary batteries that are charged with...electricity from gas, coal and oil....is not fear of tech, it's wisdom and common sense.
My uncle is 80 and he bought an electric car last year. He loves it. Don’t blame your opinions on your age, or imply that you are representative of your age group.
Okay, I see what you're talking about now. You didn't specify it had to work with pedals on the onboard speaker. It might. I didn't try it, as I think using the speaker for anything other than just travel or playing in front of the TV doesn't make a lot of sense for me. The speaker's okay, but not anything great. When playing with a band I use my pedal board through an amp or direct. I'm not a huge fan of the onboard sounds personally. Maybe someday they'll be up to snuff.
Thanks. I love this guitar! Rarely use it as anything but passive (I.e., just like a normal guitar). Great neck, fretwork is superb, super-light and still balanced. The pickups sound great IMHO. The onboard sounds aren't great ... but maybe I need to learn the software better. Assuming they work on them to update in the future - you automatically get them. Plus, if you want to, turn on the speaker so you don't need even a mini-amp to lug around. I'm going to do a blind test video to see if people can tell the difference in sound between this and several other guitars. Stay tuned - eyes and ears! Thanks for the commentary.
Really? Did you listen as well as watch? Tuning stability, elimination of pedals, less weight ... all of those things could be advantages. Whether you personally like them or not is another matter. But saying you don't see one advantage is putting your head in the sand.
@MarkZabel I can try answering all the points shortly. Many guitars have technology for tuning stability. But what do you do when after 10 years you wear out the fret wire. That's going to be something that wasn't addressed. You mentioned using effects. Any guitar plugged in a computer can use countless effects. A cheap second hand combo amp has effects. Not really much to gain on that front. Less weight. That's great but to be honest I don't see any rock star going for this guitar any time soon. It doesn't have visual appeal and if it is going to be used at home probably weight doesn't matter too much since a lot of times we are sitting. It's not portable or modular so hardly can be used as travel guitar. I am trying to find the selling point other than it is carbon. But there was a company making carbon guitars and it didn't do well. I am just asking what is the selling point of this guitar in real practical terms for the user. No point of feeling attacked when asked this simple question. What can convince a guitar player to buy this specific guitar?
No pedals used in this vid - intentionally. I dislike videos that add a bunch of junk and post-processing. This is how it sounds through that amp. I'll perhaps do a follow-up video with 3 or 4 guitars (including this) playing without sight (i.e., blind comparison), to see if people can guess which is which.
Thanks! Good question. It's supposed to be "set and forget", but different people will want a different setup - some with more relief, some with less. A truss rod allows that.
LOL! No, these fret ends are especially tooled to have rounded ball ends. Much smoother than hand-tooled guitars. You wouldn't have found anything this smooth 10 years ago.
He said LOL. I've never been concerned about fret ends myself. I almost want to take his 10 year challenge. I thought it was the neck with LEDs in it because fret markers are an important feature to me.
Nice review!! I played a guitar for years with no inlays except the 12th fret. You get used to it, and I think it makes you better, in a way - no relying on dots, etc. And you still have the side markers. I knew friends that couldn't play it because of no inlays lol.
This guitar really interests me but id definitely have to test drive it myself first , im baffled by carbon fibre guitars and not enamored of the acoustic ones, but this may just be right!
It makes sense to test drive. I was VERY skeptical myself. But I enjoy playing it. I probably won't be playing out with it for now, but I enjoy it for practice.
i haven’t payed it, but in the video the clean sounds seem a bit plastic and the overdriven ones a bit sterile. i also question all this electronic extras. what about batteries? will you still be able to control it with future phone generations? my oldest guitar is more than 40 years old and still doing pretty well. i changed the wiring myself some 30years ago, but if something else needs to be fixed, i just bring it to any guitar shop somewhere. on the other hand i also have a variax full of electronics, not sure if i could get some maintenance for it in ten years time. the volume pot is doing strange things already…
@@MarkZabel I mean it's a good guitar to take on holiday Mark. Light to carry, and includes amp & effects, so you don't need to take a load of gear with you. OK, it's not quite a travel guitar that'l fit in your suitcase, but otherwise it's good.
@@MarkZabel Line 6 Variax did quality guitars with onboard effects better than anyone else. After 21 years in production, they have been discontinued. They don't sell.
@@RF_Burns They were selling to the wrong generation. Younger generations used their phone more and more, pedals and amps less and less. Time will tell.
70 y/o guitarist here. I love it! TY👍
Way to keep an open mind brother!
Yes! 72 here, I’d definitely love a go with it.
I bought an Enya Go guitar a little over a year ago.
It’s a scaled down travel instrument. It has all those features, except no humbuckers.
I take it with me everywhere. It’s great!
I did add fret markers, I wish it came with inlays.
Enyas’ customer service is very responsive, too!
Very cool!
I'm a saturday AND sunday player! I like the concept and i like the sound. It's innovative!
Love the guitar reviews Mark!! It sounds great. Is it the future ....not sure, but you really make it sing!! Cheers 👋🖤🦋🖤
Thanks Kris!
I bought one the other day... I like it.
Enjoy it! I really like this one. Super-fun to play and IMHO it sounds good. I may do a blind test video with this (and maybe 3 or 4 other guitars) to see what people guess. It would be fun. We'll see how this does.
@@MarkZabel I'm still playing around with mine... learning what it does. But, like you said, it's just nice to be able to go into another room and play (+ it takes headphones) and not bug the wife... makes for peace in the marriage!!
Your blind test sounds like a cool idea.
I love your stuff and you've taught me stuff! Thanks.
@@saul2paul540 Thanks!
I have purchased 3 Enyas to date. Two travel (one electric) guitars and one ukulele with built in electrics. So good and definitely worth buying. So much fun. I still play my other “normal” acoustic and electric guitars and ukuleles - Epiphone, Aria, Fender Strat & Telecaster, Maton, Lunar and others BUT always enjoy picking up the Enyas for fun! I’m now banned from buying any more….but………😂🎸🤜🇮🇹🇦🇺
Let me say this - I was very surprised I liked this guitar! I'm not getting rid of my LP or my Tele or my Martin, but I really do like this!
I would say that this is a lovely looking guitar with plenty of features for what it costs. Great for practice and for exploring new sounds. I tend to go for traditional guitars (eg Les Paul 59 Reissue etc) but it is refreshing to see innovative companies that push boundaries.
I feel the same (though less enthused about the looks). I'm totally a traditional guitar guy. I don't like the pointy headstocks and stuff. But I have to admit I like this.
Thanks for this post 👋🤜👌 Man so tempted to buy another (don’t tell the wife!!). Love. The “free ride”. Keep on rocking 🎉👌🎸 Cheers from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
Right on!
@@MarkZabel ok, so I gave in an bought one on line tonight! 😂 Can’t wait to get my hands on it 🤘 Thank you Mark. I’m really enjoying your posts mate. Cheers from “down under” 🇦🇺👋👋
Thank you! Hope you like it!
@@MarkZabel So good Mark. I’m not selling my 67 Telecaster just yet 😂😂 I reckon that Enya is the “Tesla of Guitars” but hey, what would I know 😊 Long live us septuagenarians who just keep on “rockin’ down the highway” 🤘🤘 Cheers mate 👋👋
Pretty cool! Thanks, Mark, I hope you are well!
I am, thanks! Hope you are too!
I have the acoustic version and I love it for travel and writing.
Yes, this (and I imagine the acoustic version) are great for travel.
Keep it up👍
That's interesting. Went and checked out the website. It is more affordable then I had expected. Could be a good back yard beater? Carbon fiber, should be tough.
That's what I think too.
Did you playing using the built in speaker, I am curious to see. I like how in clean, it sounded like a acoustic too.
I did, but in a short video, not this one. The issue is that it's going to sound poor - not because it does, but because of the difference in recording equipment I have. My condenser mics don't sound anywhere near as good as when I record direct to mixer or with one of my higher-end dynamic mics.
It sounds like a good, but very small and not-at-all powerful speaker. You won't be able to use it for a gig, but it works for practicing in your bedroom.
@@MarkZabel If it sounds like a Ancoustic through the built in speaker, that would be good enough. could you send Me the link to the short version where it does. I am good at mixing and mixing and mastering. Not as good as Chris Lord Alge or Andrew Scheps, but same mixing methods, but from a bed room, mix is very different from a actual studio.
@@SteveMingsmusicchannel Here you go: instagram.com/reel/C5i5z6epsOp/
Thank you for actually TUNING the instrument properly before reviewing it! - You're literally the ONLY one who tuned the instrument properly! 😀 -- It's almost as though all the other UA-cam "influencers" with a few 10k subscribers Enya approached and sponsored deliberated tuned it off-key to sabotage the sound! 😀 -- PS. Just bought one based off this review. Been playing since 1987 - have over 120 guitars here in the US and overseas, mostly Gibson LPs and Fender Strats, and what I liked was the minimalist design, the carbon fiber, no cables, lightweight, and the app possibilities - just take it to to the bed or couch and play with or without earbuds and then set it aside and go to sleep. Easy-peasy.
I’m wondering about the battery life . Will the battery life be the same after months of owning it can it be replaced? That’s the big question
This would make a great practice guitar.
I think that's right.
I bought one, it will be a while until I get it. I just mainly want it for practice in my living room. But, it will never replace my Fender Strat or my Taylor's or my jumbo acoustic Guild. I am still looking at buying an American Fender Tele. So this Nova Go Sonic will be just for using when I don't feel like hooking up my gear.
Exactly!
Love the concept - but the sounds that come with it are not so good ;-)
I bought one a month ago and love it!
Cool! Glad you're enjoying it!
Actual I wanted to hear the 10 watt speaker.
Here you go. ua-cam.com/users/shorts1RiNWjGe5Qc
It sounds pretty good - as far as onboard speakers go. I don't really have great condenser mics and booms to record the sound from the guitar speaker.
Thanks for the review, I heard about these and was wondering. I bought one so they made at least one sale.
Great video !
Thanks!
Here we go again, really love you channel, typing this before watching. I bought one of these, not as described as most UA-camrs have reviewed, how much of that is personal preference? I agree it plays fantastic, I’m a fender / ovation guy. So I was surprised. Volume is terrible especially with clean tones, distortion sounds are rattly, all presets sound terrible when battery starts to get low. Only 4 presets within guitar, must use app for more (not a lot of presets to choose from, unless I’m missing how to get more?) (no tone knob) no onboard tuner also. Weight seems unbalanced, to me.
Interesting and thanks! Appreciate the feedback. Meant to mention the lack of a tone knob - that's a bummer for me. I'm guessing I won't use the software much (or at all), but if so, none of the presets work for me. They sound like so many of the modern digital products (like Zoom multi-pedals and such) - way too much treble and not enough bass and mid EQ. And way too much emphasis on high-gain. For me, 4 button selections are at least 1 more than I need, so I'm okay with that.
Agreed. I sent it back. Plays good but the internal speaker and effects are junk.
I want to know the material of the neck. Is it also carbon fiber or is it wood. I'm hoping it's a carbon fiber neck. It would never warp because of temp and humidity.
All carbon fiber - one piece.
@@MarkZabel Going to give their website a look.
Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day Mark also today is my oldest sister birthday ❤😊
Happy birthday to your sister!
The Casio of guitars. Better than not having a guitar.
I guess 🤔
Did I miss it or did he do a review of a guitar with an onboard speaker without playing through the onboard speaker? If I missed it, sorry. If it’s not there….WHY?
I have the smaller all-acoustic version, love it! Carbon Fiber is definitely the future of guitars. It sounds great and never goes out of tune!
Agree. I was impressed. I don't get anything from this, but I was impressed. It's a $400 guitar ... not expensive for carbon fiber.
Personally , I think it looks very good . I know there’s lots of purists out there that are saying “ it’s all about tone woods “ but it looks decent enough and if it comes in at the right price they will sell. I like the built in speaker, like you said it’s good for practice without setting up your amp. Having said all that I’m just a hobby guitarist and I’m sure professional guitarists will not appreciate it. 👍👍
I would just like more options that black and white. And I'm not into the black hardware, black finish. I know some people are. I was impressed with it. I'm going to keep it for a while. Super-light for practice. Could wear on my shoulder all night.
Pretty nice for $400 shipped!
I agree. I was playing it last night.
This guitar sounds like the makers cribbed form a bunch of other stuff: Parker Guitars (carbon fiber neck) , Brian May ( zero fret), onboard effects ( line 6) and the sound didn't translate well via UA-cam: fizzy and thin. Interesting ideas, making a kitchen sink guitar. Nice demo.
Thanks.
Line 6 doesn’t have onboard effects; it emulates different guitars and tunings.
sub $500 for a reason. Any guitar with an onboard speaker and effects controlled by a smart phone will never make it past a bedroom. Play it hard for an hour and then tell me its still in tune and you still love it.
Used it at band practice - passively, through an amp. Worked great. No issues whatsoever after 3 hours.
Fell asleep around "it's really light you can move it from room to room".
But you remembered exact quotes while sleeping? Amazing! You're a marvel of nature.
@@MarkZabel If you can read and contextualize, no. That's where I (and most everybody per your viewing stats) fell asleep. So we can't and wouldn't quite anything after. lol you stoooopid
@@MarkZabelno it’s really garbage 👎🏻
Is this the future? Maybe. It is not the first guitar with integrated effects, I think the "Vox Phantom" had that as well, or other models like the "Gibson Firebird X". It can be a solution for beginners with all gear in one guitar to start, but in my opinion it sounds too poor to use it for recording or stage.
Definitely sounds thin with onboard effects. Cool , but as is I look at it as a great kids guitar. Drop the effects, add volume and tone and then we can try it again.
It would be cool if you could take it outside and break it out around the camp fire. You didn't mention the power or batteries. I'll check it out. 👍
Yep, you can take it outside. Works fine. I though I mentioned where you charge it up. It's an internal lithium battery.
Sounds like a toy guitar lol!
Years ago I made a guitar at home with a book and 6 elastic bands wrapped around the book and 2 pencils one on either side to Prop up the elastic bands, I'm thinking now I could market that, after hearing this.
Go for it. I'd bet if I didn't show it or played it along with another guitar or two - blindly - that most people wouldn't know. As Les Paul said, people hear with their eyes. I may do a video like that. We'll see.
I never buy a guitar without position marker inlays or dots on the fret board. All 9 or 10 of them. Soon as I see a guitar without I move on.
I understand. I had a Parker a long time ago. Same issue. I bought some adhesives made for the fretboard and it solved the problem. Honestly, it doesn't take long to get used to not having markers on top. (They're on the side.) But for me it's an issue, because I can't use it for teaching.
I have the acoustic version not that bad for a cheap guitar
I don’t know 🤭
Yeah, it's interesting. If it didn't play so well, I'd be a little more skeptical. Well, for you though, I would think it would be a "No", because it's basically a Les Paul Jr. design! (I.e., not a Strat!)
@@MarkZabel
I have to admit , it does sound good !
Oh hell no! Mahogany all the way. Got to have tone wood.
Enya must be paying top dollar for videos because all the guitar UA-camrs are putting out a video.
Paid $0 for this. They just sent me the guitar.
I thought it sounded okay but what do they cost , it might be an expensive gimmick 🎸👍
This one is around $430. Most carbon fiber guitars are much more expensive.
I'll convert it to British pounds , thanks 👍
I don't think it sounds bad, especially not as bad as some people seem to think. I'd have to actually play one to form a real opinion. It's always kind of hard to tell how something sounds through a youtube video, also my speakers are ancient which doesn't help.
Yes, it's always hard to tell. Even if you have good speakers, people will add pedals and a bunch of post-processing. I always demo equipment with nothing but the amp and guitar and without post-processing. Even so, you're getting a sound based on UA-cam's compression too, so who knows.
Has some great specs but I still don't like it. Leave the carbon fiber for the super cars guitar's are made from wood. And sorry but hate the electronics.
Okay, no worries. I don't get anything from it either way.
Sounds fine.
It sounds like you're recording from a headphone or AUX out. Not a great representation of a guitar's "true sound".
Recording direct via XLR to the interface, as usual. Sounds pretty close to what it sounds like in the room.
The onboard sounds were not tweaked. They're similar to the presets on any of these sorts of things - Zoom multipedals and such. They tend to create presets with a "scooped" sound favored by metal players - or even just "trebly". That's what these presets sound like to me.
There's millions of secondhand guitars, who needs a new one
For teens 🎸 & beginner's 🎸
Isnt that just a carbon VARIAX?
Carbon fiber, under $450, and Variax no longer produces guitars. So yeah, other than that, maybe.
Great idea, poor execution.
I ordered one off Amazon and returned it after just a couple of days.
Felt like a TOY.
Internal amp/speaker was unimpressive.
App was pretty bad too.
I'm 69. I've been messing with the guitar for over 50 years. Never took lessons. I have 2 enya guitars. Half and quarter size nova go. The quarter size came with QR codes and free apps. But they wanted to know your exact location and have access to your files and contacts. WHY. The instruments are great. But it's just a means for the CCP to get to know you. Buy the guitars, but don't do their spy ware.
What do you get from Enya for making this video? I've seen a ton of youtubers promoting this thing. I actually bought this and sent it back. It's a plastic guitar with no soul. The internal speaker sounds like garbage and the effects are amateur. If you turn it up it creates horrible feedback and the push/pull knob kept coming off! That said, it was playable as a regular guitar and the pickups were pretty good but I don't need another regular guitar. Nice try Enya but if the internal speaker is unsatisfying I have no reason for this. Maybe version 2.0 will be better.
I got the guitar, that's it. Maybe you got a dud. Did you think I was overly enthusiastic about anything but the use as a "regular" guitar? (I.e., a "regular" guitar that is one-piece carbon fiber construction with all of the features (E.g., zero fret) that it has.)
@@MarkZabel It's not really carbon fiber. It's more like plastic. No offense, but it would be better if peopled reviewed stuff they didn't get for free. Would you buy it if you had to pay for it? Love your lessons and other guitar stuff!
Lets look down the road a bit... after the one year warranty has passed, and the battery stops working... Who will you take this carbon fiber composite shell of a guitar to for repairs. Will there even be replacement parts for this guitar. Remember this is a digital guitar. Once its battery no longer holds a charge It will not work when plugged into an amp. or audio interface. I don't know about anyone else but when I invest in a musical instrument I want it to last. I have tried contacting Enya-music in regards to this and have not received any response from them. Has anyone else been successful in contacting Enya music. I like the look and sound of these guitars, but I must admit I do not like the idea of just throwing money away on anything that has no service support. Its not like your standard instrument that you can take it to any music shop for repairs. I wish those who review products such as these would look at the full picture before posting any positive or negative comments. This is not meant to discredit Mark, he is a wonderful musician and teacher. Thank you Mark for your efforts in bring new and interesting equipment to light.
Thanks Robert. That's an interesting angle I didn't consider. Having said that, I'm fairly sure it works passively in the case that the battery runs out. You'd still be able to run it through an amp. You just wouldn't be able to use the onboard effects. (Which IMHO aren't quite up to snuff yet anyway ... but I could be wrong and just not have the patience with the digital amp models.)
Good point. Would be great if Enya or anyone in the know could reply with a definitive answerabout the battery.
@@seanleeduncanyou can get access to the electronics by removing the back plate. the guitar works like a normal guitar if plugged into an amp if the onboard amp is off. you can also use the digital pedals to run it through another amp. its niche is travel and convenient practicing, not replacing a fully kitted out fender or gibson of course.
its also not a "digital" guitar; it has magnetic pickups and mechanic steel strings.
there are digital guitars without pickups and strings
@@LowKickMT Thanks for clarifying. I'm ordering one next pay cheque. Will be using for teaching and practicing on the sofa 😊
1) No
2) No
No offence,to you but, it's like electric cars, at my age (70) I'll never be interested in it, but I'm sure the millennials will lap it up.
No offense taken.
Being a Luddite is not an age thing, but an ignorance thing…
Buying a pricey electric car with scary batteries that are charged with...electricity from gas, coal and oil....is not fear of tech, it's wisdom and common sense.
… a Luddite would say…
My uncle is 80 and he bought an electric car last year. He loves it.
Don’t blame your opinions on your age, or imply that you are representative of your age group.
You lost me at carbon fiber.
It happens.
But you can t use pedals with it.....Meh
What? Why wouldn't you be able to use pedals with it? Of course you can!
@@MarkZabel if the sound comes from the speaker, how would the pedals be returned to that speaker? They are upstream
Okay, I see what you're talking about now. You didn't specify it had to work with pedals on the onboard speaker. It might. I didn't try it, as I think using the speaker for anything other than just travel or playing in front of the TV doesn't make a lot of sense for me. The speaker's okay, but not anything great.
When playing with a band I use my pedal board through an amp or direct. I'm not a huge fan of the onboard sounds personally. Maybe someday they'll be up to snuff.
cool playing man, awfull guitar
Thanks. I love this guitar! Rarely use it as anything but passive (I.e., just like a normal guitar). Great neck, fretwork is superb, super-light and still balanced. The pickups sound great IMHO. The onboard sounds aren't great ... but maybe I need to learn the software better. Assuming they work on them to update in the future - you automatically get them. Plus, if you want to, turn on the speaker so you don't need even a mini-amp to lug around.
I'm going to do a blind test video to see if people can tell the difference in sound between this and several other guitars. Stay tuned - eyes and ears!
Thanks for the commentary.
It really sucks my friend. Horrible look, horrible sound. I think traditional guitars are still way ahead.
No i like my 80 pound Les Paul’s. No i really do lol
LOL! I love Les Paul's, but can't play standards anymore because of the weight.
I don't see one advantage here. Yes, I watched the video.
Really? Did you listen as well as watch? Tuning stability, elimination of pedals, less weight ... all of those things could be advantages. Whether you personally like them or not is another matter. But saying you don't see one advantage is putting your head in the sand.
@MarkZabel I can try answering all the points shortly. Many guitars have technology for tuning stability. But what do you do when after 10 years you wear out the fret wire. That's going to be something that wasn't addressed. You mentioned using effects. Any guitar plugged in a computer can use countless effects. A cheap second hand combo amp has effects. Not really much to gain on that front. Less weight. That's great but to be honest I don't see any rock star going for this guitar any time soon. It doesn't have visual appeal and if it is going to be used at home probably weight doesn't matter too much since a lot of times we are sitting. It's not portable or modular so hardly can be used as travel guitar. I am trying to find the selling point other than it is carbon. But there was a company making carbon guitars and it didn't do well. I am just asking what is the selling point of this guitar in real practical terms for the user. No point of feeling attacked when asked this simple question. What can convince a guitar player to buy this specific guitar?
My ear hears the fiber and it lacks body. Kinda dead. I guess with enough pedals tone can be achieved but not in this vid.
No pedals used in this vid - intentionally. I dislike videos that add a bunch of junk and post-processing. This is how it sounds through that amp.
I'll perhaps do a follow-up video with 3 or 4 guitars (including this) playing without sight (i.e., blind comparison), to see if people can guess which is which.
@@MarkZabelReminds me of active pickups. A bit too clear. Kind of like Fluence pickups.
No it’s not I’m still trying to learn the lead Mama let ‘em play.
1st to view, greetings from Tanzania East Africa
Greetings!
I wouldn’t spend a dime on that thing. Built in speaker, built in amp, no thanks
Nice overview, thanks. I do wonder why it needs a truss rod if the neck is carbon fiber?
Thanks! Good question. It's supposed to be "set and forget", but different people will want a different setup - some with more relief, some with less. A truss rod allows that.
Mark Z are you ever open for studio work??
Absolutely!
I remember when smooth fret ends were standard… not a feature, but here we are.
LOL! No, these fret ends are especially tooled to have rounded ball ends. Much smoother than hand-tooled guitars. You wouldn't have found anything this smooth 10 years ago.
He said LOL. I've never been concerned about fret ends myself. I almost want to take his 10 year challenge. I thought it was the neck with LEDs in it because fret markers are an important feature to me.
Nice review!! I played a guitar for years with no inlays except the 12th fret. You get used to it, and I think it makes you better, in a way - no relying on dots, etc. And you still have the side markers. I knew friends that couldn't play it because of no inlays lol.
Thanks. Yes, it's fine. I just can't use it to teach on UA-cam without the markers.
Very nice guitar. The only question I have are you playing it through the speaker of the guitar or are using an amplifier?
In the video I'm using an amplifier and recording directly into the mixer.
The parallel mode sounds really good. The first mode sounded very thin and tinny.
It's okay. Sound-wise, can't compete with real stuff though.
Wonder if they could do a bass version, keep the shape, drop the speaker. No neck dive, long scale. I would buy that.
I think the speaker seems to be their thing. It's the niche they're playing in - travel instruments.
@@MarkZabel ah ok. Oh well, it was a good dream.
The guitar still looks cool though.
Something just doesn't sound right ...
Toyish ... maybe
I stick with my real guitar...
I think I mentioned it to him and it cool
nope nope and heckkkk no. wood or nothing. what's next, plastic?
Definitely NOT high gain. I would be interested if it was.
Amazin
This guitar really interests me but id definitely have to test drive it myself first , im baffled by carbon fibre guitars and not enamored of the acoustic ones, but this may just be right!
It makes sense to test drive. I was VERY skeptical myself. But I enjoy playing it. I probably won't be playing out with it for now, but I enjoy it for practice.
Didn't do the little on board speaker ?
I think it sounds crappy
That’s a pretty nice instrument. It’s carbon fiber, so temperature doesn’t matter and you can take it anywhere.
I think it's nice too.
I can’t tell you how many modulus carbon fiber bass necks I’ve seen ruined from being left in a hot car. It ain’t the perfect material either.
The surprising this is the price. I was not expecting carbon to be so cheap
I thought so too. It's probably never going to be my go-to axe, but I was surprised by it.
i haven’t payed it, but in the video the clean sounds seem a bit plastic and the overdriven ones a bit sterile. i also question all this electronic extras. what about batteries? will you still be able to control it with future phone generations? my oldest guitar is more than 40 years old and still doing pretty well. i changed the wiring myself some 30years ago, but if something else needs to be fixed, i just bring it to any guitar shop somewhere.
on the other hand i also have a variax full of electronics, not sure if i could get some maintenance for it in ten years time. the volume pot is doing strange things already…
Sounds really sharp and twangy. Hard hard and brittle. Not for me.
My windows are made of wood, my pipes are made of wood, all my guitars too.
Fun fact, carbon fiber conducts electricity.
I'll tell you what? I'm 62 and I'm buying one.
Good holiday guitar too
Interesting comment. I'm not making the connection, but I'm intrigued. Could you explain?
@@MarkZabel I mean it's a good guitar to take on holiday Mark. Light to carry, and includes amp & effects, so you don't need to take a load of gear with you. OK, it's not quite a travel guitar that'l fit in your suitcase, but otherwise it's good.
Seriously?
Yeah, I'll wager its time is coming. Maybe 10, maybe 15 years. It'll keep getting better and younger people are especially open to onboard effects.
@@MarkZabel Line 6 Variax did quality guitars with onboard effects better than anyone else. After 21 years in production, they have been discontinued. They don't sell.
@@RF_Burns They were selling to the wrong generation. Younger generations used their phone more and more, pedals and amps less and less. Time will tell.
@@MarkZabelnot that kind of garbage ‼️maybe something futuristic that wasn’t built by humans 😂😂😂but not that garbage 🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️
Some lovely jazz sounds in the clean.
Thanks!
Handy guitar specially good for quick practice ,parties etc - should be part of one's collection if you are a guitarist
I like picking it up and playing it.
It sounds awesome. Must be due to their careful selection of tone woods. 😜
LOL. Love it!
$400 carbon fiber guitar...guess it's cool for rocking out on the whitewater rafting or kayak trip.....if it's waterproof.
LOL! Not waterproof.