I LOVE carbon fiber guitars! It's really great to see more guitar manufactures making CF guitars at increasingly reasonable prices! Enjoy :) Guitar info/link - amzn.to/46oF8Jj
I'm sorry, but i can't define something priced close to $1000 CAD as "affordable," Darrell. Enya has carbon fiber guitars in the $300 range btw. I'm sure you're aware of this. Great presentation though👍
It's probably worth mentioning that this particular Enya model, being a "mini", has a short scale and narrow neck. A typical acoustic guitar has a 25.4" scale and 1-3/4" wide neck. This one has a 24" scale and a 1-5/8" wide neck. This is approaching child-size. Might be great if you have small hands. People with larger hands might want to look at other Enya models, such as the X4 Pro, which has a 25-3/4" scale and a 1-11/16" wide neck.
A lot of guitars have 1 5/8 nut width. Telecasters, my 80s Carvins, BC Rich's, Kramer Nightswans, Peavey Vandenbergs, Wolfgangs of various manufacturers...etc etc. And 24" scale really isnt much different than a Gibson Les Paul or PRS 594.
Even without the electronics, it still sounds very electronic or tinny to me. But, I'm used to my Martins and Taylor, so I typically want a much less processed sound.
Agree, I haven't heard -a video of- a carbon guitar that doesn't sound thin and tinny. So far it seems like it's a trade-off on tone vs mechanical resilience.
The mini runs around $700 and the full size about $1,000 which considering the quality and sound, that's comparable to a wood guitar with the same features. Really nice looking and sounding guitar!
I'm usually hyper critical in my opinion of CF guitars because I own a McPherson CF, but this Enya seems really good. The features, looks, sound, and hard case make it very competitive. My McPherson came with both hard shell case and gig bag and I've owned it about 5 years now and I always use the gigbag. The CF is so durable, and the guitar is so stable I've never needed to worry about using the hard shell case but it's nice to have it. I rarely have to tune my McPherson, and it's a huge relief not having to worry about humidifying it or worrying about any climate changes so I'm a big fan of good CF acoustics. If you can get past it not being wood there are so many benefits. Makes a great travel or busking guitar.
I would guess that once the process and molds and tooling is set up it doesn’t cost that much to build a carbon fiber guitar. The other companies are just price gouging because they can. Glad to see for a brief time competition is actually working to reduce prices. Hardly ever happens (like hurricanes in Hartford Hereford Hampshirite).
Hey darrell, Just want you to know, I bought my first guitar after watching your video back in 2019, My $99 monoprice, And yes, it's still fantastic, I had no idea i'd be Wanting to pick it up And play, Every day,since then, So thanks for that,This one you have now, looks and sounds interesting, i Really like that bright sound, And the price seems great, So thanks again, from sunny Florida.🏝👍🙏🎸
Sadly, Darrell doesn’t totally explain or realize what he’s looking at each time he posts about affordable composite guitars. The top on this guitar is not woven bidirectional CF. It is a veneer. If he knew how to check for a veneer on composite, he’d know that. It is the same solid plasticky composite material under the veneer. (Journey has a model with a unidirectional CF veneer top. Unidirectional material is also not going to be nearly as strong as bidirectional material, even if it is not a veneer.) These “affordable” composite are not nearly as strong as bidirectional CF. It is resistant to humidity changes, but don’t expect it to have strength. In fact, most wood is stronger than these composite guitars. They are made of ground up carbon fiber material that is mixed with resin. They are essentially plastic. More than anything. This means they can damage very easily if dropped or something heavy is placed on it. Last summer, Agufish was sent a Lava 4 to review, which is made from the same composite as Enya, Journey, etc. When he unboxed it, the entire top was SMASHED to bits since it’s essentially plastic with little ground up bits of CF material. You can still see the video from last summer if you search for “Agufish Lava unboxing” (you’ll want to look for the first video, not the replacement that came months later). Genuine bidirectional CF is virtually unbreakable in shipping, when dropped, etc. You should know that there’s no way to repair these affordable composite guitars - even just a minor crack can render the guitar unplayable. You won’t ever require The most affordable bidirectional guitar is made by KLOS Guitars. If you are looking for a strong guitar that is virtually indestructible and doesn’t require babying/care, you are better off saving up for a KLOS. If you are careful and plan to play at home without kids and pets, these cheap imports are nice in very humid or dry climates. If you’re looking for a strong guitar for life, then save for a KLOS - they recently released some new models too. You can save money by buying b-stock, asking for discount, waiting for sales (join their email list), etc. Sometimes you can find secondhand models on Reverb and eBay. The hybrid models are amazing too. I have a full sized hybrid that was given to me as a gift. It’s been going strong since 2018. The CF rods on either side of the truss rod keep that neck in place, and the neck construction is extremely durable between its design and the chosen wood. The body is the same bidirectional CF as the fully CF models. It still costs plenty, but you’ll save a nice amount and won’t have any breaks with normal use - even if it suffers a small drop or gets bumped around or something heavy ends up on top of it during travel. Personally, I think a KLOS is a much more sound investment and worth saving to get. A KLOS still costs about half of what McPherson and Emerald Guitars charges with the same quality and strength. There are many dealers who keep KLOS models in stock to test drive. If your order direct, you can order risk free. I can appreciate TH-camrs presenting options, but I still have yet to see a single TH-camr who is truly familiar with composites. If you know your tone woods, it’s crucial to also understand what the different composites are, how to tell the difference by examining the guitars, and knowing how to recommend each type to specific groups of people. These affordable options are not really for people who are klutzy, have children/pets who may knock over your guitars or drop them if they get too curious, are not great for checking as baggage on planes and trains, aren’t appropriate for people going into rough terrain, are not reliable for gigging with should it need to be paid led into a tightly packed or bumpy car, should never have anything heavy laying on top, and should not be shipped or given to movers. They are great if you are a cautious person, live alone or with a careful SO, and just want something that will withstand the dry heat of Arizona or the humidity of Tennessee. If you don’t fit into this small category of people, I’d highly recommend saving up for a KLOS. Please don’t take my comments the wrong way. People deserve to understand what they’re buying and nobody is teaching the guitar community about composites - including the many downsides to these affordable models. I’ve seen so many people who saved for one of these affordable composites only to end up with a busted guitar and no way to repair or replace them. These are not beater guitars, and most people think that’s what they’re getting. I also take issue with all these affordable composite manufacturers not posting specs and details on their websites. That’s a whole other story. They mostly care about selling as many of these things as possible and don’t even bother to provide info guitar players need to know before making a purchase decision. TH-camrs should be advocating these manufactures to post more specific details that will help customers make informed decisions. I hope TH-camrs will make the effort to learn about different types of composite materials and how that info applies to guitars. They should also teach consumers to do the same, just as they would with wood.
@@mm37too you’d like for me to make a video on the subject? I never thought about doing it myself being that I don’t really have a following, but I can very happily do that! I will get to it ASAP. It’s just a topic I’m very passionate about and do t understand why most TH-camrs haven’t taken the time to educate themselves and others. Making guitars out of alternative materials isn’t a new thing, but has become very popular in recent years. I always feel sorry when people spend hard earned money thinking they’re buying a tank when these cheaper composites are essentially plastic and are prone to cracking and shattering. In these cases, it’s probably better to still buy a solid wood guitar with an inexpensive room humidifier/de-humidifier and hydrometer (many machines even have one built in so you don’t have to buy one separately) to keep the room at the proper levels. Or, it’s best to save for a KLOS, which (like McPherson and Emerald Guitars) is using the same strength and quality of bidirectional CF as the aerospace industry and commercial aviation. Sometimes people take my comments as a sales pitch for KLOS, but I only mention them because a) nobody else makes a relatively attainable bidirectional CF guitar, and b) I have one of the first full sized hybrid models they ever made and it’s still going strong even with its wood neck, so I feel very comfortable recommending their instruments. I have gotten to know the company, and their customer service always goes above and beyond (ie: making me a personal video several years ago to learn their stringing method. I said I couldn’t see what they were doing on a TH-cam video they posted and merely asked if they could sending me a still photo. They ended up making me a much clearer nearly 9-10 min video showing me how they clean and restring - which I refer to each time I have to do it since I have a brain injury). Also the reviews on their site, Amazon, Reverb, etc. are usually 5-stars and sometimes 4-stars. I think I “once” saw a single 3-star rating, and it was because the person just didn’t jive with the guitar - but he still said it’s an amazing instrument. I would rather tell people to save up for a KLOS for a longer period if someone really wants a truly strong, low maintenance guitar than recommend these affordable composite guitars which still aren’t cheap and run the risk of breaking very easily. I am sure some people love them . . . until they inevitably crack or shatter, and they end up quite shocked because they thought they purchased a CF tank. There’s also little to no product support if there are any other issues, no specs listed, etc. Anyway, I would be happy to make an in depth video as a fellow guitar player. If you follow me and turn on “all notifications,” then you’ll know when it’s posted. I’m very flattered that you’ve asked! As guitar players, we all know every detail about our beloved instruments. It should be no different no matter what material is used to make a guitar. I learned by doing my own research. It would be my pleasure to teach others what I’ve learned along the way regarding CF guitars.
@@MashaT22 Yep. It'd be cool. A lot of commenters say how they would do this better or this and that, etc. It's good to look them up and see what they bring to the table.
You are mostly right. But the veneer on these appears to be covering a real carbon-fiber top. Since the top contributes 90% of the tone of the instrument, it still sounds quite nice. Overall, I still think it's an amazing value proposition -- especially if you can wait 'till Black Friday and pick it up for $400 or so.
My only concern with a guitar like this would be the long term durability of the electronics. My wife has a ten year old Stratacoustic whose electronics died a couple of years ago. I've got a 50 year old Gibson LG-12 that'll probably still play as well as it does fifty years from now. Would the electronics in this guitar last so long? Considering the limited shelf life of various "smart" devices I somehow doubt it.
Yes, I'm probably biased, but I could never trust Fender to make an actual decent acoustic (never tried one, so this is a completely unfounded opinion). I don't even know what pickup system they use (or this company, for that matter). I am currently the owner of a 23 year old acoustic guitar with the original pickup system (Fishman Prefix Blend). It works perfectly fine, like new. I would be comfortable trusting pickup systems from established acoustic-electric companies to produce products that last generations (as long as you take out those 9v batteries when not used, you never know when the corrosion will start).
you stated in the review you ad to plug in the guitar to get the effects...does it no longer have the effects on board where you dont need an amp...you can just turn them on and use the sounds without an amp???
I bought the Enya even smaller Les Paul looking carbon composite guitar. The one I chose is silver glitter gloss smooth finish. The electronics were trashed in shipping so I just pulled them out. I wasn't looking for a loud guitar and it sounds great. But it looks even better.
Is this guitar even with hard case, is it recommended to be called as "travel guitar" to be brought at beaches, camp, and since it's carbon fiber and i know carbon fiber is more durable and immune to humidity unlike wood traditional guitar. I'm looking for a fine travel guitar I can bring outside, even with unusual temperature, and probably I could use this in small or big gigs. Would anyone recommend this guitar?
I wish they included an onboard powered speaker like some others, including Yamaha, so you can use the effects without an amp when your toting the guitar to the beach, camping or just outside somewhere, as needing an amp defeats a lot of the appeal.
I don't think I would ever buy a carbon fiber guitar as a replacement for a wood guitar, but it would be nice to have one to experiment with and maybe create something that wasn't intended to sound like it was being played on a wooden guitar.
❤❤❤❤love the full size model (got a “traveling” brand guitar). But I have been looking for a cutaway acoustic guitar to take to our Puerto Rico home from here in Daytona Beach, Florida. This is my dream combo!
I guess everything is relative. USD $700 (USD $900 for the X4 Pro full size) isn't actually "affordable" for me. Compared to most carbon fiber guitars, maybe, but not in general. I have to say that I REALLY wish I could afford one of these.
When you were going through the demo I was calculating how much I thought it was worth to me and I figured $900 ish so a $700 it is a no brainer if you want this type of guitar.
Just FYI, your instincts were actually correct. This is the 3/4 size guitar, the 4/4 version of this sells for...waaaaait for it...$899.99 - you were off by a penny! 😁
I have an Enya EA-X4e Pro and love the tone and playability. Support however is poor. They advertise NA support but it is only a help line. All parts/support come out of China. I had 2 fret markers fall out. They sent me replacement dot material but could not do the repair. I had to get my own luthier to repair it. Its effects can be played with or without plugging in.
they are currently about 1k€ including shipping. Price seem to vary wildly on this guitar. Got an Ukulele of theirs, sound, feel, craftsmanship and finish are great on that tho
Just wanted to let everyone know that you don’t have to be plugged in to hear the effects. That one of the cool things about this guitar. It’s like it has a built in amp.
I'm wanting one that either has a looper built in, one with a pedal to add in multiple loop tracks, or one that allows the preamp to go through a loop pedal and then back into the guitar. I can just think of all the things I could do with that setup. If one exists somewhere point me to it please.
My Enya x3 lost electrical audio during a concert with no recourse but to continue with a microphone, I notified the company and they seem indifferent to the problem of the extremely short internal wiring causing the problem. buyer beware!
Hey Darrell. Looks and sounds amazing. Although I suspect that has a lot to do with your playing ability:). A couple of questions though. I noticed a truss rod cover on the headstock. Is there a truss rod and why? You give the impression that the guitar is good to go right out of the box and is not subject to any kind of movement unlike wood. Also, and this is, for me, by far the biggest drawback to being a guitar player. Do you know if there is, or going to be, a left handed version available? I posted the same question to Enya, I just wondered if you had any info. Being a lefty seriously limits the availability of new and different guitars, especially at affordable prices. Keep up the excellent work, Cheers, Carl
Darrell, you have played both guitars. I have a Martin HD35 and Epi J45, and my questions are two: (1) does the mini lack fullness of sound compared to the full size X4 Pro? (2) Will I feel a lack of warmth, or will the guitar sound tinny compared to my wood guitars?
Can you answer a question for me about this guitar? I just recieved the x4 pro… the volume control unplugged is honestly hardly noticeable when turned up…. Kinda same with other effects unplugged although bit more noticeable….Is this normal? I kinda wanted something that would have a little volume sans the amp for porch play….I have Tommy Emmanuel amp so it sounds great thru there… also did yours need a height set up and better strings out of the box? I know acoustics usually always need a set up out of box. Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer. Keep the good videos coming, love ur channel!
Can you do a review on a west creek Dc guitars? One is coming in the mail me to me in the next few weeks. I heard good things about. But would to see what needs to be modded or not ! Thanks very much! Love you videos though! I’ve played guitar for 16 and I’m getting way more into theory and practice. Always love to learn new things about easy, new, different genres.
Hey Darrell. You had a video on DADGAD a few years ago and that brought me to your channel. I'm a traveling Celtic music in the southwest area. There some guitars that don't sound really great in DADGAD. And the weather down here is very hard on guitars. In your opinion would the Enya work in DADGAD? A carbon fiber guitar as a traveling work horse is something I have considered. Any way love the channel and all the best. Mark
Reverb, chorus and 3 or 2band eq would be ok for me (and a phase button, if there is enough room for it😅)., Does the truss rod really work for that CF??
Derrell, i am curious about the sounds. It didn't look like you can choose both delay and chorus at the same time. can you choose both or is it one or the other?
I am looking for a carbon fiber acoustic that I can put Tronical tuner [plus system on because I play and write in 8 different tunings.. Can you ask the company that make Enya? I ask asked but they did not respond
This seems like a nice carbon fiber guitar, I went to the mfg site and unfortunately is seems like they don't make a standard lefty version. Ah well...
I LOVE carbon fiber guitars!
It's really great to see more guitar manufactures making CF guitars at increasingly reasonable prices!
Enjoy :)
Guitar info/link - amzn.to/46oF8Jj
I'm sorry, but i can't define something priced close to $1000 CAD as "affordable," Darrell. Enya has carbon fiber guitars in the $300 range btw. I'm sure you're aware of this. Great presentation though👍
What you really love is being a product salesman. Nothing you say can be taken for anything more that that.
If they only came left handed...
It's not carbon fiber. It's carbon fiber composite = plastic with a tiny amount of carbon dust mixed in.
Plus the cup holder is actually usable, not blocked by the strings
Lmaoo
😂😂
will definitely hold my Bud light 😅
😂😂
It's probably worth mentioning that this particular Enya model, being a "mini", has a short scale and narrow neck. A typical acoustic guitar has a 25.4" scale and 1-3/4" wide neck. This one has a 24" scale and a 1-5/8" wide neck. This is approaching child-size. Might be great if you have small hands. People with larger hands might want to look at other Enya models, such as the X4 Pro, which has a 25-3/4" scale and a 1-11/16" wide neck.
👍👍 came to say exactly this, but you've covered it 👍👍
A lot of guitars have 1 5/8 nut width. Telecasters, my 80s Carvins, BC Rich's, Kramer Nightswans, Peavey Vandenbergs, Wolfgangs of various manufacturers...etc etc.
And 24" scale really isnt much different than a Gibson Les Paul or PRS 594.
25 3/4 seems like a very odd scale length for the full size Enya. I think 25" is just about perfect for both electric and acoustic.
@@sopwithsnoopy8779 sure, but it's very unusual for an acoustic guitar.
Even without the electronics, it still sounds very electronic or tinny to me. But, I'm used to my Martins and Taylor, so I typically want a much less processed sound.
Agree, I haven't heard -a video of- a carbon guitar that doesn't sound thin and tinny. So far it seems like it's a trade-off on tone vs mechanical resilience.
You can also use the effects unplugged. That is a main selling point. It has a built in Bluetooth speaker.
The mini runs around $700 and the full size about $1,000 which considering the quality and sound, that's comparable to a wood guitar with the same features. Really nice looking and sounding guitar!
I'm usually hyper critical in my opinion of CF guitars because I own a McPherson CF, but this Enya seems really good. The features, looks, sound, and hard case make it very competitive. My McPherson came with both hard shell case and gig bag and I've owned it about 5 years now and I always use the gigbag. The CF is so durable, and the guitar is so stable I've never needed to worry about using the hard shell case but it's nice to have it. I rarely have to tune my McPherson, and it's a huge relief not having to worry about humidifying it or worrying about any climate changes so I'm a big fan of good CF acoustics. If you can get past it not being wood there are so many benefits. Makes a great travel or busking guitar.
I would guess that once the process and molds and tooling is set up it doesn’t cost that much to build a carbon fiber guitar. The other companies are just price gouging because they can. Glad to see for a brief time competition is actually working to reduce prices. Hardly ever happens (like hurricanes in Hartford Hereford Hampshirite).
I saw one played at a trade show. Sounds and looks incredible. Thanks for demonstrating.
Hey darrell, Just want you to know, I bought my first guitar after watching your video back in 2019, My $99 monoprice, And yes, it's still fantastic, I had no idea i'd be Wanting to pick it up And play, Every day,since then, So thanks for that,This one you have now, looks and sounds interesting, i Really like that bright sound, And the price seems great, So thanks again, from sunny Florida.🏝👍🙏🎸
Sadly, Darrell doesn’t totally explain or realize what he’s looking at each time he posts about affordable composite guitars. The top on this guitar is not woven bidirectional CF. It is a veneer. If he knew how to check for a veneer on composite, he’d know that. It is the same solid plasticky composite material under the veneer. (Journey has a model with a unidirectional CF veneer top. Unidirectional material is also not going to be nearly as strong as bidirectional material, even if it is not a veneer.)
These “affordable” composite are not nearly as strong as bidirectional CF. It is resistant to humidity changes, but don’t expect it to have strength. In fact, most wood is stronger than these composite guitars. They are made of ground up carbon fiber material that is mixed with resin. They are essentially plastic. More than anything. This means they can damage very easily if dropped or something heavy is placed on it. Last summer, Agufish was sent a Lava 4 to review, which is made from the same composite as Enya, Journey, etc. When he unboxed it, the entire top was SMASHED to bits since it’s essentially plastic with little ground up bits of CF material. You can still see the video from last summer if you search for “Agufish Lava unboxing” (you’ll want to look for the first video, not the replacement that came months later). Genuine bidirectional CF is virtually unbreakable in shipping, when dropped, etc. You should know that there’s no way to repair these affordable composite guitars - even just a minor crack can render the guitar unplayable. You won’t ever require
The most affordable bidirectional guitar is made by KLOS Guitars. If you are looking for a strong guitar that is virtually indestructible and doesn’t require babying/care, you are better off saving up for a KLOS. If you are careful and plan to play at home without kids and pets, these cheap imports are nice in very humid or dry climates. If you’re looking for a strong guitar for life, then save for a KLOS - they recently released some new models too. You can save money by buying b-stock, asking for discount, waiting for sales (join their email list), etc. Sometimes you can find secondhand models on Reverb and eBay. The hybrid models are amazing too. I have a full sized hybrid that was given to me as a gift. It’s been going strong since 2018. The CF rods on either side of the truss rod keep that neck in place, and the neck construction is extremely durable between its design and the chosen wood. The body is the same bidirectional CF as the fully CF models. It still costs plenty, but you’ll save a nice amount and won’t have any breaks with normal use - even if it suffers a small drop or gets bumped around or something heavy ends up on top of it during travel. Personally, I think a KLOS is a much more sound investment and worth saving to get. A KLOS still costs about half of what McPherson and Emerald Guitars charges with the same quality and strength. There are many dealers who keep KLOS models in stock to test drive. If your order direct, you can order risk free.
I can appreciate TH-camrs presenting options, but I still have yet to see a single TH-camr who is truly familiar with composites. If you know your tone woods, it’s crucial to also understand what the different composites are, how to tell the difference by examining the guitars, and knowing how to recommend each type to specific groups of people. These affordable options are not really for people who are klutzy, have children/pets who may knock over your guitars or drop them if they get too curious, are not great for checking as baggage on planes and trains, aren’t appropriate for people going into rough terrain, are not reliable for gigging with should it need to be paid led into a tightly packed or bumpy car, should never have anything heavy laying on top, and should not be shipped or given to movers. They are great if you are a cautious person, live alone or with a careful SO, and just want something that will withstand the dry heat of Arizona or the humidity of Tennessee. If you don’t fit into this small category of people, I’d highly recommend saving up for a KLOS. Please don’t take my comments the wrong way. People deserve to understand what they’re buying and nobody is teaching the guitar community about composites - including the many downsides to these affordable models. I’ve seen so many people who saved for one of these affordable composites only to end up with a busted guitar and no way to repair or replace them. These are not beater guitars, and most people think that’s what they’re getting.
I also take issue with all these affordable composite manufacturers not posting specs and details on their websites. That’s a whole other story. They mostly care about selling as many of these things as possible and don’t even bother to provide info guitar players need to know before making a purchase decision. TH-camrs should be advocating these manufactures to post more specific details that will help customers make informed decisions. I hope TH-camrs will make the effort to learn about different types of composite materials and how that info applies to guitars. They should also teach consumers to do the same, just as they would with wood.
Looking forward to your video!
@@mm37too you’d like for me to make a video on the subject? I never thought about doing it myself being that I don’t really have a following, but I can very happily do that! I will get to it ASAP. It’s just a topic I’m very passionate about and do t understand why most TH-camrs haven’t taken the time to educate themselves and others. Making guitars out of alternative materials isn’t a new thing, but has become very popular in recent years. I always feel sorry when people spend hard earned money thinking they’re buying a tank when these cheaper composites are essentially plastic and are prone to cracking and shattering. In these cases, it’s probably better to still buy a solid wood guitar with an inexpensive room humidifier/de-humidifier and hydrometer (many machines even have one built in so you don’t have to buy one separately) to keep the room at the proper levels. Or, it’s best to save for a KLOS, which (like McPherson and Emerald Guitars) is using the same strength and quality of bidirectional CF as the aerospace industry and commercial aviation.
Sometimes people take my comments as a sales pitch for KLOS, but I only mention them because a) nobody else makes a relatively attainable bidirectional CF guitar, and b) I have one of the first full sized hybrid models they ever made and it’s still going strong even with its wood neck, so I feel very comfortable recommending their instruments. I have gotten to know the company, and their customer service always goes above and beyond (ie: making me a personal video several years ago to learn their stringing method. I said I couldn’t see what they were doing on a TH-cam video they posted and merely asked if they could sending me a still photo. They ended up making me a much clearer nearly 9-10 min video showing me how they clean and restring - which I refer to each time I have to do it since I have a brain injury). Also the reviews on their site, Amazon, Reverb, etc. are usually 5-stars and sometimes 4-stars. I think I “once” saw a single 3-star rating, and it was because the person just didn’t jive with the guitar - but he still said it’s an amazing instrument. I would rather tell people to save up for a KLOS for a longer period if someone really wants a truly strong, low maintenance guitar than recommend these affordable composite guitars which still aren’t cheap and run the risk of breaking very easily. I am sure some people love them . . . until they inevitably crack or shatter, and they end up quite shocked because they thought they purchased a CF tank. There’s also little to no product support if there are any other issues, no specs listed, etc.
Anyway, I would be happy to make an in depth video as a fellow guitar player. If you follow me and turn on “all notifications,” then you’ll know when it’s posted. I’m very flattered that you’ve asked! As guitar players, we all know every detail about our beloved instruments. It should be no different no matter what material is used to make a guitar. I learned by doing my own research. It would be my pleasure to teach others what I’ve learned along the way regarding CF guitars.
@@MashaT22 Yep. It'd be cool. A lot of commenters say how they would do this better or this and that, etc. It's good to look them up and see what they bring to the table.
You are mostly right. But the veneer on these appears to be covering a real carbon-fiber top. Since the top contributes 90% of the tone of the instrument, it still sounds quite nice. Overall, I still think it's an amazing value proposition -- especially if you can wait 'till Black Friday and pick it up for $400 or so.
Looks like an incredible value! Great playing as always Darrell
Its 699 in US but £999 in UK !!! Any stockists in UK to demo ? As only see online adverts
The effects work unplugged as well Darell! Just hold the green button down a few seconds.
My only concern with a guitar like this would be the long term durability of the electronics. My wife has a ten year old Stratacoustic whose electronics died a couple of years ago. I've got a 50 year old Gibson LG-12 that'll probably still play as well as it does fifty years from now. Would the electronics in this guitar last so long? Considering the limited shelf life of various "smart" devices I somehow doubt it.
Yes, I'm probably biased, but I could never trust Fender to make an actual decent acoustic (never tried one, so this is a completely unfounded opinion). I don't even know what pickup system they use (or this company, for that matter).
I am currently the owner of a 23 year old acoustic guitar with the original pickup system (Fishman Prefix Blend). It works perfectly fine, like new. I would be comfortable trusting pickup systems from established acoustic-electric companies to produce products that last generations (as long as you take out those 9v batteries when not used, you never know when the corrosion will start).
You can make any guitar sound fantastic.
Yeah but that's the kinda guitar that can make bad players like me sound at least better :).
Hahaha, thanks!
you stated in the review you ad to plug in the guitar to get the effects...does it no longer have the effects on board where you dont need an amp...you can just turn them on and use the sounds without an amp???
Good review, Darrell. It makes me want one.
This sounds great!!! Maybe I'll add this to my retirement wish list for January!
I bought the Enya even smaller Les Paul looking carbon composite guitar. The one I chose is silver glitter gloss smooth finish. The electronics were trashed in shipping so I just pulled them out. I wasn't looking for a loud guitar and it sounds great. But it looks even better.
Is this guitar even with hard case, is it recommended to be called as "travel guitar" to be brought at beaches, camp, and since it's carbon fiber and i know carbon fiber is more durable and immune to humidity unlike wood traditional guitar. I'm looking for a fine travel guitar I can bring outside, even with unusual temperature, and probably I could use this in small or big gigs. Would anyone recommend this guitar?
Such a beauty! Thank you for putting this on my radar.
I wish they included an onboard powered speaker like some others, including Yamaha, so you can use the effects without an amp when your toting the guitar to the beach, camping or just outside somewhere, as needing an amp defeats a lot of the appeal.
They do! The effects on this guitar still work even when it is not plugged in!
Actually you don't need to be plugged in to hear the effects... It's like having aTonewood amp built in
Is the full size alot bigger and what are the big differences between them?
Looks and sounds great, how is the action/playability?
That cappo was "Dust in the Wind"
I could never stop loving the J45, but for $699 that is incredible. Not having to worry about it is a huge + too!! 8)
A lot cheaper than a Emerald guitar.
Wow sounds amazing. Im impressed. 😊😊. Good review as usual DB. Take care 😎👍👋🎸🎸
Wish I have one 😊
I'm in Papua New GUINEA 🇵🇬
THE GUITAR YET TO REACH PNG
I don't think I would ever buy a carbon fiber guitar as a replacement for a wood guitar, but it would be nice to have one to experiment with and maybe create something that wasn't intended to sound like it was being played on a wooden guitar.
Enya and Lava bringing affordable great travel guitars
Love it! We need more acoustic reviews, keep em coming!
One correction: It does not have to be plugged in to use the onboard effects
Show that he doesn't read the comments much, is it similar to the Yamaha TA (you dont have to plug that in for effects" cheers.
Darrell, did you know that the effects work even when you don't plug into an amp?
Not many people know that, no guide or mention to this😂
❤❤❤❤love the full size model (got a “traveling” brand guitar). But I have been looking for a cutaway acoustic guitar to take to our Puerto Rico home from here in Daytona Beach, Florida. This is my dream combo!
If you want a cheap cutaway the Enya Go/Nova Go is a LP sized/shaped carbon fiber composite that Know Your Gear reviewed that you might also like.
What about the complaints of cracking on the back and the manufacturer not backing the guitar?
I guess everything is relative. USD $700 (USD $900 for the X4 Pro full size) isn't actually "affordable" for me. Compared to most carbon fiber guitars, maybe, but not in general.
I have to say that I REALLY wish I could afford one of these.
I feel you bro, maybe in a few years they will become even more affordable?
Head's up though, the guitar does not need to be plugged in for the effects. Wild!
I wondered if Enya would ever make a mini. So tempting!
When you were going through the demo I was calculating how much I thought it was worth to me and I figured $900 ish so a $700 it is a no brainer if you want this type of guitar.
Just FYI, your instincts were actually correct. This is the 3/4 size guitar, the 4/4 version of this sells for...waaaaait for it...$899.99 - you were off by a penny! 😁
I have an Enya EA-X4e Pro and love the tone and playability. Support however is poor. They advertise NA support but it is only a help line. All parts/support come out of China. I had 2 fret markers fall out. They sent me replacement dot material but could not do the repair. I had to get my own luthier to repair it. Its effects can be played with or without plugging in.
they are currently about 1k€ including shipping. Price seem to vary wildly on this guitar. Got an Ukulele of theirs, sound, feel, craftsmanship and finish are great on that tho
Enya also have other cf guitars. Most notably the nex g.
Nex g is supposed to be a cross between the lava me 3 and the Yamaha silent guitar
Yeah, but can I play it the rain, or floating down the river in an inner tube?
Beautiful instrument! ❤
Just wanted to let everyone know that you don’t have to be plugged in to hear the effects. That one of the cool things about this guitar. It’s like it has a built in amp.
Great review as usual look a really nice intsrument, I have been lookin gat the Enya X4 Pro recently.
I don't see a standard seating of the frets in the neck, would be interested to know if fret changing would be an issue if needed
I'm wanting one that either has a looper built in, one with a pedal to add in multiple loop tracks, or one that allows the preamp to go through a loop pedal and then back into the guitar. I can just think of all the things I could do with that setup. If one exists somewhere point me to it please.
The Blue Lava 4 has a looper and a recorder.
My Enya x3 lost electrical audio during a concert with no recourse but to continue with a microphone, I notified the company and they seem indifferent to the problem of the extremely short internal wiring causing the problem. buyer beware!
Hey Darrell. Looks and sounds amazing. Although I suspect that has a lot to do with your playing ability:). A couple of questions though. I noticed a truss rod cover on the headstock. Is there a truss rod and why? You give the impression that the guitar is good to go right out of the box and is not subject to any kind of movement unlike wood.
Also, and this is, for me, by far the biggest drawback to being a guitar player. Do you know if there is, or going to be, a left handed version available? I posted the same question to Enya, I just wondered if you had any info. Being a lefty seriously limits the availability of new and different guitars, especially at affordable prices.
Keep up the excellent work, Cheers, Carl
Darrell, you have played both guitars. I have a Martin HD35 and Epi J45, and my questions are two: (1) does the mini lack fullness of sound compared to the full size X4 Pro? (2) Will I feel a lack of warmth, or will the guitar sound tinny compared to my wood guitars?
The zero-fret needs to be stainless steel. I wonder how much it would cost to take it to a guitar tech and have them redo the zero fret in SS?
I wonder if this construction would work with nylon strings?
Effects work even unplugged
Beautiful! What was that song you were finger picking at 7:25 ?? I've heard that before n I must know!!
Dust in the Wind, by Kansas.
@@Dontchangemynameok Ahhh of course!! Thanku!!
Do they make a Bass version? I didn't see it on the website..........☹
It actually sounds amazing!
Sadly, they didn’t manage to have the effects working unplugged like with Lava or LAG guitars.
Not true, he made a mistake.
@@SpringfieldGuy I agree, I saw an actuator in a sketch drawing for this guitar, so it is supposed to work the same as the others as well.
Not a fan of carbon.A lot of pluses but the tone is always thinner.Looks great though.Thanks for showing it
With the ash tray away from the strings, I don’t have to worry about getting them dirty anymore!
Are the electronics serviceable? What do you do if the built in battery stops taking a charge?
What does this sound like without amplification?
NO miked sample?
Can you answer a question for me about this guitar? I just recieved the x4 pro… the volume control unplugged is honestly hardly noticeable when turned up…. Kinda same with other effects unplugged although bit more noticeable….Is this normal? I kinda wanted something that would have a little volume sans the amp for porch play….I have Tommy Emmanuel amp so it sounds great thru there… also did yours need a height set up and better strings out of the box? I know acoustics usually always need a set up out of box. Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer. Keep the good videos coming, love ur channel!
Can you do a review on a west creek Dc guitars? One is coming in the mail me to me in the next few weeks. I heard good things about. But would to see what needs to be modded or not ! Thanks very much! Love you videos though! I’ve played guitar for 16 and I’m getting way more into theory and practice. Always love to learn new things about easy, new, different genres.
got an enya a year ago or 2 idk for sure anymore, its great and looks awesome i got the regular enya x4 pro though not the mini
Thanks Darrell, as a retired lumber and hardware guy I am trying to look past the chicken wire. . . . but it does sound good!
Big brands better get with the times before they get left behind. Nice guitar!
Sounds really good, lacks a little bit of low frequencies
Are you sure you have to plug it in to use the effects? I have the full size- the Pro, and you can play the effects without plugging in.
i am assuming that the effects are only for the out and the guitar doesn't have effects unless plugged?
Even comes with a built in cup holder
I want a cutaway and an arm bevel.
Hey Darrell. You had a video on DADGAD a few years ago and that brought me to your channel. I'm a traveling Celtic music in the southwest area. There some guitars that don't sound really great in DADGAD. And the weather down here is very hard on guitars. In your opinion would the Enya work in DADGAD? A carbon fiber guitar as a traveling work horse is something I have considered. Any way love the channel and all the best. Mark
I thought this guitars effects were audible while playing not plugged in. Can you please set me straight on this?
Effects work unplugged.
Reverb, chorus and 3 or 2band eq would be ok for me (and a phase button, if there is enough room for it😅)., Does the truss rod really work for that CF??
Beautiful guitar!
Isn't this guitar's electronics an X4 Transacoustic?
If it is you can play and still use the X4's effects without plugging the Amp.
Derrell, i am curious about the sounds. It didn't look like you can choose both delay and chorus at the same time. can you choose both or is it one or the other?
Does it come with a left option ?
I wanna know if it has the softness of an electric guitar or if it's as any acoustic ?
Do these guitars also suffer from dead spots like most wooden guitars?
why they have the sound hall there different from normal acoustic guitar? percussive play can't be done properly due to it, right?
Nothing like a natural wood guitar.
Batteries, regardless of how they’re charged die. Having a non-replaceable battery is an inevitable looser.
where can we purchase this?
Would love to see Some color variations
Pretty sure this wasn't made to be played with a pick
The only type of guitar I don’t have is a 12 string. It’d be cool if they made one of those.
The case looks like you can attach the strings to it.
How do you adjust the Truss or make neck adjustments?
I wonder if this guitar slides from your leg when playing seated. I have that issue with Ovation type guitars, is this body shape more forgiving ?
Nice tone; really nice; bright & bassy. Not a real D28 sound but it could work...
I heard some dustin the wind sound
I am looking for a carbon fiber acoustic that I can put Tronical tuner [plus system on because I play and write in 8 different tunings.. Can you ask the company that make Enya? I ask asked but they did not respond
What country is it made in?
Plz make a review of strydom s140c 😊
This seems like a nice carbon fiber guitar, I went to the mfg site and unfortunately is seems like they don't make a standard lefty version. Ah well...