Is this the FUTURE of ELECTRIC GUITAR? Is it FOR YOU?

Info for Enya Nova Go Sonic: www.enya-music.com/pages/nova...
Enya Music Global / @enyamusicglobal
Get some FREE TABS HERE: tinyurl.com/MZFreeTabs
0:00 Intro
1:02 Basic Specs
1:46 Fretwork
2:23 Neck
3:23 Electronics and Pickups
4:10 Special Features
4:24 Speaker
4:58 Onboard Effects
5:59 Sounds / Pickups
#enyaguitar #novagosonic #newguitar

[@dewardroy6531]

70 y/o guitarist here. I love it! TY👍

[@MarkZabel]

Way to keep an open mind brother!

[@gstlb]

Yes! 72 here, I’d definitely love a go with it.

[@alanjohnson2853]

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!

[@MarkZabel]

Very cool!

[@gilrod4257]

I'm a saturday AND sunday player! I like the concept and i like the sound. It's innovative!

[@Bubba-zu6yr]

I remember when smooth fret ends were standard… not a feature, but here we are.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@jimandskittum]

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.

[@sombrerogrande6317]

Actual I wanted to hear the 10 watt speaker.

[@MarkZabel]

Here you go. kzbin.info1RiNWjGe5Qc 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.

[@MrDjdain]

Thanks for the review, I heard about these and was wondering. I bought one so they made at least one sale.

[@djpastorrock]

Pretty cool! Thanks, Mark, I hope you are well!

[@MarkZabel]

I am, thanks! Hope you are too!

[@lexrex3]

The parallel mode sounds really good. The first mode sounded very thin and tinny.

[@ricosetuso635]

Keep it up👍

[@JudgeFredd]

Great video !

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@generalbystander1631]

Nice overview, thanks. I do wonder why it needs a truss rod if the neck is carbon fiber?

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@rockerbuck967]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. Yes, it's fine. I just can't use it to teach on KZbin without the markers.

[@365carpenter]

I bought one a month ago and love it!

[@MarkZabel]

Cool! Glad you're enjoying it!

[@ronaldzilli2005]

I have the acoustic version and I love it for travel and writing.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, this (and I imagine the acoustic version) are great for travel.

[@saul2paul540]

I bought one the other day... I like it.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@saul2paul540]

@@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.

[@MarkZabel]

@@saul2paul540 Thanks!

[@krisstieghorst7415]

Love the guitar reviews Mark!! It sounds great. Is it the future ....not sure, but you really make it sing!! Cheers 👋🖤🦋🖤

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Kris!

[@nicksonthevet]

1st to view, greetings from Tanzania East Africa

[@MarkZabel]

Greetings!

[@gr637]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@LookinUp2001]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

That's what I think too.

[@billmarshall2536]

Pretty nice for $400 shipped!

[@MarkZabel]

I agree. I was playing it last night.

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

There's millions of secondhand guitars, who needs a new one

[@Book-bz8ns]

Wonder if they could do a bass version, keep the shape, drop the speaker. No neck dive, long scale. I would buy that.

[@MarkZabel]

I think the speaker seems to be their thing. It's the niche they're playing in - travel instruments.

[@Book-bz8ns]

@@MarkZabel ah ok. Oh well, it was a good dream. The guitar still looks cool though.

[@ianwood4910]

Amazin

[@saul2paul540]

Mark Z are you ever open for studio work??

[@MarkZabel]

Absolutely!

[@Denvermorgan2000]

This would make a great practice guitar.

[@MarkZabel]

I think that's right.

[@Shaylok]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

All carbon fiber - one piece.

[@Shaylok]

@@MarkZabel Going to give their website a look.

[@thachnnguyen]

It's okay. Sound-wise, can't compete with real stuff though.

[@dwainthompson7777]

I think I mentioned it to him and it cool

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day Mark also today is my oldest sister birthday ❤😊

[@MarkZabel]

Happy birthday to your sister!

[@kirtlamb4413]

The Casio of guitars. Better than not having a guitar.

[@johnmac8084]

Good holiday guitar too

[@MarkZabel]

Interesting comment. I'm not making the connection, but I'm intrigued. Could you explain?

[@johnmac8084]

@@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.

[@jamrackmusic2198]

To my ears it has the tone and resonance of a soup can😳😂😂🤙🤙-

[@jamrackmusic2198]

Looks like a Carvin/Kiesel CS series.

[@studiophantomanimation]

The surprising this is the price. I was not expecting carbon to be so cheap

[@MarkZabel]

I thought so too. It's probably never going to be my go-to axe, but I was surprised by it.

[@daveduffy2823]

That’s a pretty nice instrument. It’s carbon fiber, so temperature doesn’t matter and you can take it anywhere.

[@MarkZabel]

I think it's nice too.

[@scottbaxendale323]

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.

[@derickcraft3437]

Handy guitar specially good for quick practice ,parties etc - should be part of one's collection if you are a guitarist

[@MarkZabel]

I like picking it up and playing it.

[@weejim48]

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. 👍👍

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@Kamikaze3557]

Here we go again, really love you channel, typing this before watching. I bought one of these, not as described as most KZbinrs 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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@javamon]

Agreed. I sent it back. Plays good but the internal speaker and effects are junk.

[@BarryMitchell]

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]

Used it at band practice - passively, through an amp. Worked great. No issues whatsoever after 3 hours.

[@micj62]

I'll tell you what? I'm 62 and I'm buying one.

[@kevinhope8279]

I have the acoustic version not that bad for a cheap guitar

[@DrRussPhd]

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 KZbin: fizzy and thin. Interesting ideas, making a kitchen sink guitar. Nice demo.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks.

[@podcastdude]

Line 6 doesn’t have onboard effects; it emulates different guitars and tunings.

[@baadtaste1337]

Love the concept - but the sounds that come with it are not so good ;-)

[@damham5689]

It sounds awesome. Must be due to their careful selection of tone woods. 😜

[@MarkZabel]

LOL. Love it!

[@blackdogHH]

My windows are made of wood, my pipes are made of wood, all my guitars too.

[@barnaclerusty]

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. 👍

[@MarkZabel]

Yep, you can take it outside. Works fine. I though I mentioned where you charge it up. It's an internal lithium battery.

[@davenewton4862]

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!

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@mikeharrison1714]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@sgblues4238]

Enya must be paying top dollar for videos because all the guitar KZbinrs are putting out a video.

[@MarkZabel]

Paid $0 for this. They just sent me the guitar.

[@rajeshgumber363]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@SuperKazmierski]

Sounds fine. It sounds like you're recording from a headphone or AUX out. Not a great representation of a guitar's "true sound".

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@Matt_Barkley]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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 KZbin's compression too, so who knows.

[@tbone2451]

I don’t know 🤭

[@MarkZabel]

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!)

[@tbone2451]

@@MarkZabel I have to admit , it does sound good !

[@deanbembridge8640]

I thought it sounded okay but what do they cost , it might be an expensive gimmick 🎸👍

[@MarkZabel]

This one is around $430. Most carbon fiber guitars are much more expensive.

[@deanbembridge8640]

I'll convert it to British pounds , thanks 👍

[@BigRalphN]

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.

[@richardcranium8500]

Oh hell no! Mahogany all the way. Got to have tone wood.

[@jeeefthegreat7555]

Fell asleep around "it's really light you can move it from room to room".

[@MarkZabel]

But you remembered exact quotes while sleeping? Amazing! You're a marvel of nature.

[@jeeefthegreat7555]

@@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

[@codyjarrett8274]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

Okay, no worries. I don't get anything from it either way.

[@jogmas12]

I wouldn’t spend a dime on that thing. Built in speaker, built in amp, no thanks

[@RobertKuhn1949]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.)

[@seanleeduncan]

Good point. Would be great if Enya or anyone in the know could reply with a definitive answerabout the battery.

[@LowKickMT]

@@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

[@seanleeduncan]

@@LowKickMT Thanks for clarifying. I'm ordering one next pay cheque. Will be using for teaching and practicing on the sofa 😊

[@javamon]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.)

[@javamon]

@@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!

[@MichaelTheophilus906]

It sounded great until you went into head banging mode.

[@MarkZabel]

I agree. The presets are very metal sounding to me. All the mid-range is scooped out. I could change the presets, and probably will at some point, but I wanted to show what the guitar came with.

[@likelydaily6767]

Sounds really sharp and twangy. Hard hard and brittle. Not for me.

[@gibson2623]

But you can t use pedals with it.....Meh

[@rickflippin1]

No i like my 80 pound Les Paul’s. No i really do lol

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! I love Les Paul's, but can't play standards anymore because of the weight.

[@fabioconsonni3232]

1) No 2) No

[@edcat6587]

$400 carbon fiber guitar...guess it's cool for rocking out on the whitewater rafting or kayak trip.....if it's waterproof.

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! Not waterproof.

[@cowboygypsey]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

No offense taken.

[@michaelvarney.]

Being a Luddite is not an age thing, but an ignorance thing…

[@jackcarone2414]

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.

[@michaelvarney.]

… a Luddite would say…

[@Rondoggy67]

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.

[@mikeenos4040]

Something just doesn't sound right ... Toyish ... maybe I stick with my real guitar...

[@jonjones655]

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.

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@mattwinn9607]

I think it sounds crappy

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

You lost me at carbon fiber.

[@MarkZabel]

It happens.

[@TheMcmansilla]

cool playing man, awfull guitar

[@MarkZabel]

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.

[@gianriccardopera708]

It really sucks my friend. Horrible look, horrible sound. I think traditional guitars are still way ahead.

[@bubbles3161]

No it’s not I’m still trying to learn the lead Mama let ‘em play.