Enya Nova Go carbon fiber Guitar with DIY built in mini humbucker pickup

[GuyBoden]

Enya Nova Go carbon fiber guitar.

I've been impressed by this Enya carbon fiber hollow body guitar, I've added a DIY built in mini humbucker pickup.

The guitar is plugged into an amp with reverb, then it's recorded in the room with a Rode NT3 mic.

I like the hollow body sound.

Edited for clarity on 6th July 2024.

I purchased the inexpensive acoustic Enya Nova Go and then installed a built in mini humbucker neck pickup with a chrome steel pickup surround. (The steel surround adds more strength than plastic.)

Here is a good video about the Enya Nova Go info and setup. Start video at 4:30min

The Enya Nova Go Acoustic guitar is available here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003274175334.html

[Gitterbug]

Interesting, thanks! AFAIK, there are pro musicians using carbon fiber instruments of the violin family in symphony orchestras. Impervious to climatic changes and resistant to an accidental stepping on it. Your playing is a good tutorial for a theme I've considered far too demanding for my small (and shrinking) brain.

[GuyBoden]

Interesting, thanks! AFAIK, there are pro musicians using carbon fiber instruments of the violin family in symphony orchestras. Impervious to climatic changes and resistant to an accidental stepping on it. Your playing is a good tutorial for a theme I've considered far too demanding for my small (and shrinking) brain.

Hopefully, the carbon fiber should be more resilient to the Northern British variable climate and home winter central heating.

I was pleasantly surprised at the sound for such a small body guitar.

I just wasn't expecting a hollow body Jazz tone from carbon fiber.

I play with the fresh of my fingers, so there's not much treble or high frequency in the sound.


Edited for clarity on 6th July 2024.

I purchased the inexpensive acoustic Enya Nova Go and then installed a built in mini humbucker neck pickup with a chrome steel pickup surround. (The steel surround adds more strength than plastic.)

The Enya Nova Go Acoustic guitar is available here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003274175334.html

[skykomishone]

I bought a CA (carbon acoustics) Cargo for travel and camping 6 years ago. I always joked that if I lost a canoe paddle I would have a spare. It's a great guitar for these trips when you don't want to expose a wood archtop to the dramatic extremes of camping. Even though I like wood guitars, it's a decent substitute with a great neck, frets, tuners, and with some bridge height reduction quite acceptable setup when you don't want to be without a guitar.
Enjoy!

[GuyBoden]

I bought a CA (carbon acoustics) Cargo for travel and camping 6 years ago. I always joked that if I lost a canoe paddle I would have a spare. It's a great guitar for these trips when you don't want to expose a wood archtop to the dramatic extremes of camping. Even though I like wood guitars, it's a decent substitute with a great neck, frets, tuners, and with some bridge height reduction quite acceptable setup when you don't want to be without a guitar.
Enjoy!

I've setup this Enya carbon fiber guitar with a straight neck no relief with the trussrod.

The action is 1.5mm on bass and 0.8mm on the treble at the 12th fret, so low(ish).

The frets have rounded ends and are excellent. I'm impressed. (Semi hemispherical fret ends)

[Jim Soloway]

How does it sound through the pickup?

[RJVB]

If that's the pure acoustic sound it sounds about as I'd expect from a carbon fibre instrument.

Here's another one, built by a forum member, and with only a CF top:

Sounds a little more resonant (because of the wood or the nylon strings or the use of a pick?) but otherwise very similar to my ears.

[GuyBoden]

If that's the pure acoustic sound it sounds about as I'd expect from a carbon fibre instrument.

In this recording, the guitar is plugged into an amp with reverb, then is recorded with a Rhode NT3 mic in the room.

Sorry, it wasn't clearly stated.

How does it sound through the pickup?

Do you mean a direct recording using only the pickup?

[Jim Soloway]

In this recording, the guitar is plugged into an amp with reverb, then is recorded with a Rhode NT3 mic in the room.

Sorry, it wasn't clearly stated.


Do you mean a direct recording using only the pickup?

No, I didn't understand your original description. I thought that meant with a mic on the guitar. It's a very acoustic-like sound for a guitar through an amp. What amp was it?

[Jim Soloway]

Could you post a link to the actual guitar? I can't find anything that fits the description. I see the one with two full size open humbuckers (at least I think they're full size) but I don't see anything with a mini hum. Thanks.

[GuyBoden]

Could you post a link to the actual guitar? I can't find anything that fits the description. I see the one with two full size open humbuckers (at least I think they're full size) but I don't see anything with a mini hum. Thanks.

Edited for clarity on 6th July 2024.

I purchased the inexpensive acoustic Enya Nova Go and then installed a built in mini humbucker neck pickup with a chrome steel pickup surround. (The steel surround adds more strength than plastic.)

The Enya Nova Go Acoustic guitar is available here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003274175334.html

[Jim Soloway]

Enya NOVA GO Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar


I bought the inexpressive acoustic version with no electronics gadgetry.

I then installed a built in mini humbucker neck pickup with a chrome steel pickup surround. (The steel surround adds more strength and weight than plastic.)

The guitar is inexpensive, just install you own fav mini humbucker neck pickup or get a guitar repairer to do it and it makes a great guitar.

I'm very impressed and I've had a lot of guitars over my lifetime.

About a 23 inch scale. I think you'd like it.

You can buy Enya Nova Go Acoustic guitar here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003274175334.html

AHHHH! Now I understand. Apparently some things sink in slowly.

[GuyBoden]

AHHHH! Now I understand. Apparently some things sink in slowly.

No my fault, I've edited the posts for more clarity.

[RJVB]

No my fault, I've edited the posts for more clarity.

And in fact, how much of the acoustic sound (from the guitar) does your mic pickup up? I'm kind of annoyed that I didn't recognise an electric guitar sound when I heard one

[GuyBoden]

And in fact, how much of the acoustic sound (from the guitar) does your mic pickup up?

A good question, I don't know, the Rode NT3 mic was positioned pointing at at the extreme edge of the speaker cone about 2metres away from the guitar, so obviously some of the acoustic sound of the guitar sound was recorded.

Info: The Rode NT3 mic records a hypercardioid pattern.



Because hypercardioid microphones are extremely directional, they need a very accurate mic position compared with standard supercardioid microphone.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

A good question, I don't know, the Rhodes NT3 mic was positioned pointing at at the extreme edge of the speaker cone about 2metres away from the guitar, so obviously some of the acoustic sound of the guitar sound was recorded.

Info: The Rhodes NT3 mic records a hypercardioid pattern.



Because hypercardioid microphones are extremely directional, they need a very accurate mic position compared with standard supercardioid microphone.

I guess you meant the mic manufacturer RØDE?

[GuyBoden]

I guess you meant the mic manufacturer RØDE?

Yes, thanks, I've had the Rode NT3 for many, many, many years, so long infact that I've forgotten it's actual name.

[Clbalke]

I have a Nova Go that has static in the system and is unrepairable. Can you explain how you installed the mini humbucker in it? Maybe some pictures? Thank you!!!

[pingu]

Yes , did you have to put a hole in the
top ?

[GuyBoden]

I have a Nova Go that has static in the system and is unrepairable. Can you explain how you installed the mini humbucker in it? Maybe some pictures? Thank you!!!

Yes , did you have to put a hole in the
top ?

Masking tape the Guitar's carbon fibre top, draw a pickup sized hole in the Guitar's top, very carefully drill holes along the lines using a small 2mm drill bit. Then very carefully cut out the pickup sized hole between the drilled holes using a very small file. File the pickup sized hole straight.

***YOU NEED TO BE VERY CAREFULL DRILLING AND FILING***

The pickup was then installed in the usual way.

***Install a mini Humbucker, a full sized Humbucker is too big and the pickup hole cuts into the bracing.***

It's a good travel guitar. I use a small head phone amp.

[GuyBoden]

Here's a pic, I recently installed a full sized twin blade Humbucker Pickup, but the mini Humbucker looked better IMO.

***Install a mini Humbucker, a full sized Humbucker is too big and the pickup hole cuts into the bracing.***


Edit: I should have cleaned it before the pic, it looks very dirty.

[bananafist]

Interesting, can you tell me the nut width - the marketing spec is no help.

[GuyBoden]

Interesting, can you tell me the nut width - the marketing spec is no help.

The nut width is 41mm, with a tape measure and my glasses on.

[bananafist]

Thanks, I might have guessed as much!! I have large hands and fingers and 41mm would be completely unplayable for me - 45mm minimum. I think all the asian bods for whom these are designed these must have tiny hands. Ditto Vox archtops, Donner guitars etc,etc.
The teles in my avatar are custom built for me with 45mm nut.