Which between Enya X1 ( HPL ) and APC TC ( Solid wood ) ?

BenJaja

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Hi everybody !

I'm considering to buy a tenor ukulele, I'm guitarist and I've already tried the different size, tenor is best for me :)

I'm looking for a good ukulele under 200€ , I need your help to choose between :

Enya X1 : HPL Wood, the soprano size has been rated very well by a UU member ( 8,8 / 10 ) and it has been compared to the martin 0xk
China manufacturing for 150€

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/Enya...-Ukulele-With-Classical-Head/32703470506.html


APC ( Anthonio Pinto Carvalho ) TC or TS ( don't know the difference between those ? ) :

Solid Wood Koa-Like ( Acacia apparently )
Portuguese manufacturing for less than 100€

APC TC :
https://www.amazon.de/APC-Instrumen...ie=UTF8&qid=1515067968&sr=8-1&keywords=apc+TC

APC TS :
https://www.amazon.de/APC-Instrumen...ie=UTF8&qid=1515068144&sr=8-1&keywords=apc+Ts


I'm considering the Gretsch G9120 with his very warm tone.

So which one would you advice to me ?

Considering that if I ordered on amazon I could refund it if I don't like it but on Aliexpress ( China Amazon ) I can't, and the Enya can't be shipped in Belgium from USA :(

Thanks in advance for your help :)
 
Personally, I always recommend a Kala or an Ohana as a first uke, bought from a dealer who will set it up properly. :)

Edit: Maybe take a look here - http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/

Reputable dealers who do quality set ups are the safe bet.
I also believe that you can't go wrong with a dealer set up Kala or Ohana.

Mim ships to Europe, so you have a second dealer to consider.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mim+tenor+ukulele

About Enyas, we have 6. We like them, alot. None have needed any set up work, but others have had issues.
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?130639-Enya-Poor-Quality-Control&highlight=enya

The one Enya HPL we have is a camp style soprano. It is a little heavy, but otherwise very nice.

We have no experience with APC ukuleles, sorry.
No experience with Gretch either but they get very good reviews from what I have seen.

I will say that you might not want to buy strictly on price, even if you can return it.
It may entail weeks or months of frustration when you might have been playing.

Best of luck to you on your ukulele journey!
 
Last edited:
As far as those terms you didn't understand, TC and TS..... I'd guess the TC means concert sized and TS means soprano.
 
Reputable dealers who do quality set ups are the safe bet.
I also believe that you can't go wrong with a dealer set up Kala or Ohana.

Mim ships to Europe, so you have a second dealer to consider.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mim+tenor+ukulele

About Enyas, we have 6. We like them, alot. None have needed any set up work, but others have had issues.
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?130639-Enya-Poor-Quality-Control&highlight=enya

The one Enya HPL we have is a camp style soprano. It is a little heavy, but otherwise very nice.

We have no experience with APC ukuleles, sorry.
No experience with Gretch either but they get very good reviews from what I have

Thank you for your answer, actually I've tried KALA TG it wasn't bad but a lack of warm tone, if I consider to buy a known branded ukulele which wood should I take between : Ebony or Magahony or Zebrawood ? ( laminated of course ^^ )
 
As far as those terms you didn't understand, TC and TS..... I'd guess the TC means concert sized and TS means soprano.


Hey Toby ! Actually it seems to be both tenors that's why I can't get it
 
I also recommend Kala or Ohana and buying from a reputable dealer. I don't recommend the Enya X-1. It seems well made, but the HPL absorbs the high notes and the tone is very unbalanced. It's also very quiet. (Need to do a review, but I'm waiting to see if the neck is stable). If you must buy from Amazon, be warned. I've purchased five ukes through them, including the Enya. Four were either damaged, used, or defective. Packaging is almost always poor and causes damage.
 
Thanks for your advice !

I finally took the snail UKT 528 based on the review of Baz.
On amazon 'cause I couldn't find it on a more reliable website..
It is apparently sold by snail itself so I cross my fingers to have no issues with it !

https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B01JWB2GVS/ref=pe_3044141_185740131_TE_item

Look gorgeous I really hope It will sound as good as it's beautiful !

I consider to take another one later for this summer, a soprano to take with me travelling around Europe :)

What should I check when I receive the ukulele ? Do you think a quick inspection in a luthier could be great ? ( There is one in front of my house ^^ )
 
Since it is coming directly from Snail, it is likely to arrive safely. First thing to check is the three components of string height. 1) There should ideally be 2.5 to 3mm between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the strings. 2) Then hold down a string at the third fret and check the gap between the first fret and the string. It should be the thickness of a business card or less. 3) Last, check the neck relief by holding down a string at the first fret with your left hand and 12th fret with your right thumb, then press the string down at the fifth fret with your right index finger (contortions I know) -- there should be a very small gap and when you press or tap the string at the 5th fret you should feel it. Finally, check for string buzz as you pluck each open string, then each string fretted as you go up the neck. If there is a high fret you will hear a buzz. That should cover it. Hope you are very happy with your choice!
 
Just to add to the discussion. The APC letters refer to the model type. There is the TS (tenor simple), TC (tenor classic) and TT (tenor traditional) - you can see the models on their website. I own a concert traditional which I really like and a soprano simple which I also really like but has a rather heavy neck.

I am fond of APCs though I have seen mixed reviews. I have played with the action on both of mine but they play nicely.
 

Thank you very much for this instructions ! They are as clear as possible :)

I will check every step and let you know.

I'm considering something else, maybe I'm going to order on amazon the Gretsch as we can refund it within a month like that I could have both ukulele at the same time and pick the one I'll prefer ! If I do so I'll post a review between those 2 ^^


Thanks again ! :)
 
Just to add to the discussion. The APC letters refer to the model type. There is the TS (tenor simple), TC (tenor classic) and TT (tenor traditional) - you can see the models on their website. I own a concert traditional which I really like and a soprano simple which I also really like but has a rather heavy neck.

I am fond of APCs though I have seen mixed reviews. I have played with the action on both of mine but they play nicely.


Thank you for you comment I'll consider that for my travelling soprano :)
 
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