Ukulele Comparison: Enya Tenor Ukuleles (Nova Pro Tenor and Moon Taimane Signature Tenor)

[@jeffwatson4908]

An interesting and welcome comparison. I have the Nova Pro and to see it compared with a model costly several times more shows how good “value” ukuleles can be. I replace all strings with Martin fluorocarbons. This brings out the clarity and increases the loudness of most Enyas especially solid wood models. The Pro is a solid good quality instrument that endures any weather wet or dry and it just feels good to hold and play. And those metal frets really set it off from the concert and mini for durability.

[@UkeStuff]

My only problem with the tenor model is that it is a tenor. I find concert to be my favorite scale. I would instantly buy at least 2 concert Nova Pro models.

[@jeffwatson4908]

Me too! If only…….like the concert sound better.@@UkeStuff

[@billybooth284]

Thanks for the comparison!

[@UkeStuff]

You bet!

[@meesterdennismuziek6662]

Hello Chris, My name is Dennis (from The Netherlands). I want to order newer ukuleles for our primary school, but which ones? To test this, I temporarily bought some ukuleles at my own expense. Flight ukulele TUS, TUSL and Enya Soprano and Concert. You have so much knowledge, hopefully you can help me out a bit? Maybe my quentions are directly... I'm sorry for that; typical Dutch;-) 1. Do all your students play on a TUSL (concert neck) or also some on a TUS? (soprano neck) - One student is bigger than the other. 2. I've seen your tips about lefties. Thanks! But can you also reverse the (colored) strings on a TUS(L) and the Enya's? 3. The Flight models have a rounded back. How do your students react about whether or not they are slipping? 4. Why didn't you choose the Enya at school? (it also has a good sound and does not slip. Does it have to do with the frets being black and/or the purchase costs being higher than the Flight?) 5. Do your students use a strap with the Flight ukulele? The disadvantage is that I then have to spend time constantly having to adapt it to the student. 6. The Enya has two strap buttons for a strap. Can I drill a strap button into the plastic on a Flight? How can I best do that? 7. Despite “plastic is fantastic” I love wood. But good beginner ukuleles that aren't that expensive, are hard to find. I saw on Amazon a left-handed Aklot 23 concert (63.00 euros), Aklot soprano electric (65.00 euros). What do you think of the idea of teaching children with different brands? I don't see a teacher doing that. It's all the same type, maybe to avoid discussions, on the other hand children can experience the differences. What is your opinion about this? Maybe I'm asking too much, my apologies for that, but I really want the best for my students. These are children who are not used to being encouraged to play an instrument at home. My goal is to change that. You are a unique person when I see what work you do in Ukestuff (in addition to your regular job). It's incredible how much passion you do that with. Your podcast also contains many tips. I hope many more people/teachers (it deserves many more views) discover this. What I also really appreciate is your honesty in your reviews, and if there is criticism of something, you also explain why you had that opinion at that time. Chris, I wish you (and family) a good, healthy 2024 and that more and more children get uked ;-) Dennis

[@UkeStuff]

Hi Dennis! I’ll be happy to record a video about these questions…perhaps I will make it a Podcast episode. That said…send me an e-mail; I think the address is here in “contact info” but is also on my website. KZbin just isn’t a good format for a written conversation.

[@meesterdennismuziek6662]

@@UkeStuff Wow. That would be great! (I have tried to send you an email). I will pass on your work to (ukulele) teachers (in training) so that more and more children can discover the ukulele.

[@BlessYourHeart254]

The Moon uke is beautiful, and I may get one someday, but for now, the Nova U Pro is a huge value for the money, and you can take it anywhere. I wish Enya would make an edition of the concert Nova with the regular frets-I would be all over that.

[@UkeStuff]

I have shared that feedback with Enya directly.

[@ChrisBombria]

Just a thought... Although they have similar body shapes the Moon has electronics and a speaker taking up quite a bit of space and affecting the resonance. I have a Nove Pro wo/ electronics and I'm very surprised at the quality of the sound.

[@UkeStuff]

I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole issue. I don’t think the electronics are the cause; I think it has to do with the body (back and sides) being CNC’d out of a single piece of wood (I’m pretty sure this is how it is done) without any curve or dish in the back. There’s also the lack of a side sound port. And I think the polycarbonate generates better sound than a pure plastic. I’d still expect the solid mahogany to perform better than the Nova Pro; but in my ears, it just doesn’t. And all that’s to say that the Moon isn’t bad-it’s a lovely ukulele. But for all intents and purposes it is a solid body thinline ukulele; and my expectations have to be tempered. Maybe someone else with the Moon and the Nova can compare theirs…after all, every instrument (particularly wood) is unique-but the Nova should be pretty similar for every model. Eventually I’ll get a chance to play some Enya other models that fall into that same thinline design with other combinations-at this point I’m curious if the sound of the solid wood models is similar (regardless of tone wood).

[@ChrisBombria]

That makes sense, I didn't know that the moon had a CNC'd body. I agree with the polycarbonate being better than plastic. I have fun playing around with inexpensive uke's and making them play better. It always amazes me how small changes make a difference in the sound. -thanks for doing what you do-