I have both a Flight Soprano travel uke and a Enya Nova Soprano. I like them both. The Flight is louder and sounds like a more traditional wooden uke. The Enya has a sweeter sound all its own. It is nice to hold. The Flight’s round back takes some adjustment if no strap is used. I rank both equally. But the Flight cost me $36 Canadian while the Enya was $85. The Enya came with a decent bag, tuner and strings, while the Flight had a dust cover bag. Still the Flight is a better deal even at $50C now. I sanded down the plastic body where I rest my arm making the Flight much more comfortable. The body slightly projects above the wood top.They are different enough in sound feel and looks that I will keep both. But if I wanted to give one up it would be the Enya. Always enjoy your uke comments and activities Rich.
Thanks, Jeff, for your sharing your experience having owned both these ukuleles. Could you tell me the model number of your Flight travel uke? I'd need to install a strap. Rich
@@richdavis4007 hi a tus35y yellow. The body slightly projects above the wooden top which is a rather dumb factory decision. It can be easily sanded down where your arm rests as I noted without harming the wood. That is more disconcerting than the rounded back. Frankly I would like the concert version which got good reviews from Baz. Likely the same issue. As for strap buttons, they come with one at the base of the body but not at the neck. However the plastic neck is very sturdy so I mounted a button. No issues at all. Would not do that with the Enya mini “I think...”
Enya Nova Pro (Tenor) addressed the fret problem. They have metal frets...and good ones. Maybe they will do it with the other models in the future. I just purchase the Pro because I needed something that could withstand sand and 90-100% humidity while wintering on the Gulf.
Fortunately my new Enya Nova doesn't have to last decades. For now, at aged 75, I love it. I've heard that Enya might add metal frets--that would be a good thing, although difficult I suppose for their manufacturing process.
I've decided it's best to leave Enya Nova U concert and soprano alone. They are great ukuleles but may not have a long life span. I'm 74 and want my ukuleles to last at least as long as I plan to. I buy wood ukuleles, laminate, solid top, or all solid.
I’ve been playing my enya nova for about a month now. It has become my most-played uke of my collection. My collection includes a kamaka and a blackbird Clara. I don’t see any fret wear, but time will tell if it is an issue or not. In the short time I’ve had it, I’m abt ready to wear through the 1st set of strings.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Likely your style of play doesn't create fret wear. You may never have an issue. I have no idea what the percentage of people who have serious issues with Enya Nova U concert is.😊😊
Hi Rich, after seeing this, I went and inspected by Enya Nova U Concert sized, and noticed that yes my frets on mine are also not metal, and some of the paint is wearing off of mine, I played my concert quite a bit outside this summer.
Enya Nova U tenor has metal frets (Enya finally caught on about the carbon fiber frets wearing away), but I like that uke less than the Nova U concert or mini.😊😊
If you like the ukulele, that's what matters. The tenor won't have the issue of fret wear and won't change colors. As people have told me before, everything is a matter of person preference! 😊😊
Mine changed colors and the frets wore off of my friends' in Louisiana. I never played the ukulele enough for that to happen to mine. I like several of the Enya ukuleles I have tried, and own a couple still, but Enya Nova U is a hopelessly flawed ukulele. Lifespan is 50% or less of most ukes.
I agree it should not be a person’s only ukulele. But the sound and playability are so sweet that I still think it’s a good purchase if you have several Ukes. Thanks for your excellent videos. The fog and the birds this morning were magical.
Just purchased the white Enya concert with AcousticPlus for $110 because the black was out of stock. Got the Ebya Nova U Mini Coco for my 4 year granddaughter.
It seems a shame we can't count on these ukulele for years and years like we can most ukes. Still, they play so well and sound so good, if you buy when they are on sale they are worth it. Many people may never have an issue. Rich
Happy foggy morning. Interesting comments about color change and fret wear. I liked the Nova U concert uke when played softly alone at home. However, in a group played vigorously, the uke did not have the punch or volume of ukes around me. I could barely hear it, so I sold it a month later. I hope Enya owners are enjoying their ukes. The Nova U just did not work for me. I am comfortable recommending Kala, Aklot, and Makai, but I have little experience and know many wonderful ukes are out there. Please keep your reviews coming. Thank you. Rick
I guess we live and learn. What to me was ukulele of the year in 2020 now doesn't seem so wonderful. I've got a new travel ukulele I'll be recommending in Nova Us place. People who do have the Nova U and like should continue to do so. Thanks, Rick, for sharing your experience with this ukulele. Rich
I read the Enya warranty yesterday and it specifically mentions change of color and fret wear are not included on the warranty! Yes, Enya Nova U is fine if money and life expectancy of the ukulele is no issue for you. It is a wonderful ukulele with potential issues. As you say, if you have other ukuleles you could get along very nicely with Nova U. I have for almost three years, but I play mine seldom. Rich
Funny you should ask. Tomorrow I respond to a comment I read from someone on Facebook who didn't like the sound of her Flight travel ukulele. Since she'd had the ukulele for a couple of months and still didn't like the sound, I recommended she change the strings. I know very little about Flight ukuleles. I have never seen one or held one. I'm not too keen on plastic ukuleles just now and even if I saw it and played it I wouldn't trust after my experience with Nova U. Over the next couple of days I will be introducing a travel ukulele I already have and can recommend and do trust. Thanks for your timely comment. Rich
@@preppy890 I shouldn't judge ukuleles without looking at them or playing and even then they'll need to past the test of time. These ukes have plastic frets and fingerboard. Not interested.
@@preppy890 I do my best and since people frequently buy what I recommend I like to be sure! Adults don't take ukuleles to camp or swimming so I don't see oldsters needing plastic ukes. I originally thought Enya Nova U was indestructible, but it's apparently not so.
Hi Rich, more about my Enya U Concert, maybe you already know this, but, I just discovered it reading through the booklet that came with mine, apparently worn frets are considered "normal wear and tear" and Not covered under the 1 year warranty, I suggest to anyone wanting to play a ukulele more 6 times a Year, do not buy this Ukulele, the frets will wear in 3 months if you play it on a regular basis, (4x a week or more). Gosh Darn!
If Enya takes that approach they are much dumber than I thought. I'll make a video about your case and see if we can stir things up. Thanks, Linda. Rich
I have this ukulele in Matte Black. It is beautiful but it scratches so easily. Just a slight touch with your fingernail or button on your clothes can leave tiny scratches. I have to be so careful with it.
@@richdavis4007 actually I owned a blue varnished tenor all solid mahogany y had fixed some minor or major/flat issues on the outside y inside..I was tempted for the price a little over $100 i strung it wit Aquila y DAddario fluorocarbon with with low G; my wife had scored an all solid koa concert size Martin …at first a soprano with tuning pegs that was a pain in my arse…had it exchanged for a bigger one; I still eye on some of Enya’s kinda low end in craftsmanship I think generally y QA wise…returning your products purchased in Xing dynasty will be a more pain…huh…well TY for degrading them on your demo ( plastic fret is strange but paper based composite fretboard y bridges are also stranger but wise)that they may upgrade in the the distant futuro
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've made many videos about Enya Nova us and some were originally very positive. Now, I still like Enya Nova U Mini and Concert, but the ukuleles do have longevity issues. Will they last?
I have both a Flight Soprano travel uke and a Enya Nova Soprano. I like them both. The Flight is louder and sounds like a more traditional wooden uke. The Enya has a sweeter sound all its own. It is nice to hold. The Flight’s round back takes some adjustment if no strap is used. I rank both equally. But the Flight cost me $36 Canadian while the Enya was $85. The Enya came with a decent bag, tuner and strings, while the Flight had a dust cover bag. Still the Flight is a better deal even at $50C now. I sanded down the plastic body where I rest my arm making the Flight much more comfortable. The body slightly projects above the wood top.They are different enough in sound feel and looks that I will keep both. But if I wanted to give one up it would be the Enya. Always enjoy your uke comments and activities Rich.
Thanks, Jeff, for your sharing your experience having owned both these ukuleles. Could you tell me the model number of your Flight travel uke? I'd need to install a strap. Rich
@@richdavis4007 hi a tus35y yellow. The body slightly projects above the wooden top which is a rather dumb factory decision. It can be easily sanded down where your arm rests as I noted without harming the wood. That is more disconcerting than the rounded back. Frankly I would like the concert version which got good reviews from Baz. Likely the same issue. As for strap buttons, they come with one at the base of the body but not at the neck. However the plastic neck is very sturdy so I mounted a button. No issues at all. Would not do that with the Enya mini “I think...”
@@jeffwatson4908 Thanks so much! I need to take a look at this uke. You've been very helpful! Rich
Enya Nova Pro (Tenor) addressed the fret problem. They have metal frets...and good ones.
Maybe they will do it with the other models in the future. I just purchase the Pro because I needed something that could withstand sand and 90-100% humidity while wintering on the Gulf.
I got my tenor in the mail today. Haven't opened it yet. I understand most of the problems have been solved. I like my concert and mini. Rich
Fortunately my new Enya Nova doesn't have to last decades. For now, at aged 75, I love it. I've heard that Enya might add metal frets--that would be a good thing, although difficult I suppose for their manufacturing process.
I've decided it's best to leave Enya Nova U concert and soprano alone. They are great ukuleles but may not have a long life span. I'm 74 and want my ukuleles to last at least as long as I plan to. I buy wood ukuleles, laminate, solid top, or all solid.
I’ve been playing my enya nova for about a month now. It has become my most-played uke of my collection. My collection includes a kamaka and a blackbird Clara. I don’t see any fret wear, but time will tell if it is an issue or not. In the short time I’ve had it, I’m abt ready to wear through the 1st set of strings.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Likely your style of play doesn't create fret wear. You may never have an issue. I have no idea what the percentage of people who have serious issues with Enya Nova U concert is.😊😊
How's it now?
@@Ayush-hb9bx no indication of fret wear and I’m a daily player.
Hi Rich, after seeing this, I went and inspected by Enya Nova U Concert sized, and noticed that yes my frets on mine are also not metal, and some of the paint is wearing off of mine, I played my concert quite a bit outside this summer.
Enya Nova U tenor has metal frets (Enya finally caught on about the carbon fiber frets wearing away), but I like that uke less than the Nova U concert or mini.😊😊
@@richdavis4007 oh I have the tenor as well , that's what I had been playing for months , then decided to go back to my kmise concert ukulele.
If you like the ukulele, that's what matters. The tenor won't have the issue of fret wear and won't change colors. As people have told me before, everything is a matter of person preference! 😊😊
Hi Rich! How's your uke now? Did it change colours and the frets worn off?
Mine changed colors and the frets wore off of my friends' in Louisiana. I never played the ukulele enough for that to happen to mine. I like several of the Enya ukuleles I have tried, and own a couple still, but Enya Nova U is a hopelessly flawed ukulele. Lifespan is 50% or less of most ukes.
I agree it should not be a person’s only ukulele. But the sound and playability are so sweet that I still think it’s a good purchase if you have several Ukes. Thanks for your excellent videos. The fog and the birds this morning were magical.
If you have Enya Nova U you can and should love it. I'm not tossing mine! It could well be you never have an issue and life is happily every after. 😊
Just purchased the white Enya concert with AcousticPlus for $110 because the black was out of stock. Got the Ebya Nova U Mini Coco for my 4 year granddaughter.
thx for this long therm view. i thnk also the soprano one is for traveling, (put in the suitcase) but not as an long time investment
It seems a shame we can't count on these ukulele for years and years like we can most ukes. Still, they play so well and sound so good, if you buy when they are on sale they are worth it. Many people may never have an issue. Rich
I’m going to buy one but thanks to your comments, i will not buy it until they have improvement. Thank you so much ❤
Thank you. Best wishes. Rich Davis
Happy foggy morning. Interesting comments about color change and fret wear. I liked the Nova U concert uke when played softly alone at home. However, in a group played vigorously, the uke did not have the punch or volume of ukes around me. I could barely hear it, so I sold it a month later. I hope Enya owners are enjoying their ukes. The Nova U just did not work for me. I am comfortable recommending Kala, Aklot, and Makai, but I have little experience and know many wonderful ukes are out there. Please keep your reviews coming. Thank you. Rick
I guess we live and learn. What to me was ukulele of the year in 2020 now doesn't seem so wonderful. I've got a new travel ukulele I'll be recommending in Nova Us place. People who do have the Nova U and like should continue to do so. Thanks, Rick, for sharing your experience with this ukulele. Rich
I think it’s perfect If you also have other ukuleles
I read the Enya warranty yesterday and it specifically mentions change of color and fret wear are not included on the warranty! Yes, Enya Nova U is fine if money and life expectancy of the ukulele is no issue for you. It is a wonderful ukulele with potential issues. As you say, if you have other ukuleles you could get along very nicely with Nova U. I have for almost three years, but I play mine seldom. Rich
Im just curious rich, is that white uke made of hard plastic? Coz mine is👍🏼👍🏼
Yes, hard plastic. I like the body but don't like that it changes colors! I don't like plastic frets!
@@richdavis4007 mine is a "beachman uke"😁
Have you checked out the Flight travel Ukulele or have an opinion on it?
Funny you should ask. Tomorrow I respond to a comment I read from someone on Facebook who didn't like the sound of her Flight travel ukulele. Since she'd had the ukulele for a couple of months and still didn't like the sound, I recommended she change the strings. I know very little about Flight ukuleles. I have never seen one or held one. I'm not too keen on plastic ukuleles just now and even if I saw it and played it I wouldn't trust after my experience with Nova U. Over the next couple of days I will be introducing a travel ukulele I already have and can recommend and do trust. Thanks for your timely comment. Rich
@@richdavis4007 the sound board on the Flight is laminated basswood as I understand.
@@preppy890 I shouldn't judge ukuleles without looking at them or playing and even then they'll need to past the test of time. These ukes have plastic frets and fingerboard. Not interested.
@@richdavis4007 thank you for your honesty, I look forward to your next video.
@@preppy890 I do my best and since people frequently buy what I recommend I like to be sure! Adults don't take ukuleles to camp or swimming so I don't see oldsters needing plastic ukes. I originally thought Enya Nova U was indestructible, but it's apparently not so.
Hi Rich, more about my Enya U Concert, maybe you already know this, but, I just discovered it reading through the booklet that came with mine, apparently worn frets are considered "normal wear and tear" and Not covered under the 1 year warranty, I suggest to anyone wanting to play a ukulele more 6 times a Year, do not buy this Ukulele, the frets will wear in 3 months if you play it on a regular basis, (4x a week or more). Gosh Darn!
If Enya takes that approach they are much dumber than I thought. I'll make a video about your case and see if we can stir things up. Thanks, Linda. Rich
I have this ukulele in Matte Black. It is beautiful but it scratches so easily. Just a slight touch with your fingernail or button on your clothes can leave tiny scratches. I have to be so careful with it.
That's not something I was aware of. Thanks for letting me know. Rich
@@richdavis4007 You're Welcome
En No not en yeah 😂
😊
@@richdavis4007 actually I owned a blue varnished tenor all solid mahogany y had fixed some minor or major/flat issues on the outside y inside..I was tempted for the price a little over $100 i strung it wit Aquila y DAddario fluorocarbon with with low G; my wife had scored an all solid koa concert size Martin …at first a soprano with tuning pegs that was a pain in my arse…had it exchanged for a bigger one; I still eye on some of Enya’s kinda low end in craftsmanship I think generally y QA wise…returning your products purchased in Xing dynasty will be a more pain…huh…well TY for degrading them on your demo ( plastic fret is strange but paper based composite fretboard y bridges are also stranger but wise)that they may upgrade in the the distant futuro
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've made many videos about Enya Nova us and some were originally very positive. Now, I still like Enya Nova U Mini and Concert, but the ukuleles do have longevity issues. Will they last?