Take a Bite of Paulownia! | Dean EVO XM Mahogany Review + Demo

[@Trog]

Episode Guide: 0:22 - Why I Bought It 1:05 - Paulownia 1:29 - Specs 2:06 - Cleaning + Dean Talk 2:42 - Inside Look + Details 7:28 - Clean Demo 9:00 - Dirty Demo 10:20 - Final Thoughts

[@zoinks_9154]

Hey I have an idea for a new series "signature Saturday"

[@georgeg6562]

You should do some Queen brain may rifts on that Guitar

[@alectrem]

I love how this show can go from doing Les Paul's that cost as much as a car to $50 beginner guitars, and treat them with the same dignity. Much love Trogly.

[@stevenkimsey7039]

If you want a $59 guitar, musicians friend has them by the millions. Selling out Trogly? I don't mind. Pimping ain't easy.

[@Trog]

The amount of time and effort I put into buying and reviewing this guitar (approx 7 hours and $5 in guitar strings) to make a whopping $10 is hardly the definition of 'selling out.' I made this review for fun and to provide a quality review of a guitar that many can afford, but might not have known about.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Cool review thanks for doing this Trogly!

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Steven Kimsey, selling out to what? What's the problem dude buddy is doing his thing no need to be rude.

[@fanoboss]

@@Trog you actually got me interested in a Dean EVO XM. I've been buying and selling guitars for 40 years, you do a great job. I appreciate your work.

[@RichLopp]

This is the best Dean EVO review on KZbin. Nobody seems to want to review this guitar for some reason 🤷‍♂️

[@TestarossaRocks]

Honestly that thing sounds better than some of the expensive guitars you’ve reviewed.

[@kntryfolk]

TestarossaRocks I have one and I’m extremely impressed with it. I play it more than my strat

[@guitarandgames1386]

Try the high end one called the special. It's got a blue flame top or a natural one. Thing has gotten Grover tuners and the most beautiful abalone inlays ever

[@badq.concerts]

@@kntryfolk same😂😂😂

[@scottykingdavid]

I own a dean Evo special select. Same guitar basically. My video is a few videos down. Killer sounding and killer guitar. And Im a Les paul guy. And this holds it own

[@putridfox8450]

As a Dean fan this review had me on the edge, but I'm glad that trogly was fair in his assessment.

[@gdawgs101]

Why are you a Dean fan? Do you just like ugly guitars? I'm not trying to be rude, I'm seriously asking.

[@nickcato9758]

Putrid Fox me too lmao

[@putridfox8450]

@@@gdawgs101 I like Dean because they make great guitars. I Love The Ml's and V's. I don't think they make ugly guitars but I understand why they wouldn't appeal to everyone. Its a brand that inspires me to play.

[@gdawgs101]

@@putridfox8450 Fair enough. I still think they're ugly but to each his own. Whatever keeps your vessel boyant.

[@ClearAdventure]

@@putridfox8450 I agree, love mine, keep rocking!! - Kevin Venture 🤘

[@parkerm.]

Congratulations for 30,000 subscribers

[@zoinks_9154]

Congratulations on 30000 subscribers! Your the reason I got into gear and different woods electronics and anything to affect your tone. I've learned so much from you and so grateful to have discovered this channel! Thank you!

[@TypoCursedRamona]

I have one of these, and for the price its great.

[@tyler_bt3326]

Ramona great for modding!

[@ClearAdventure]

@@tyler_bt3326 Even with no mods, mine sounds killer! - Kevin Venture

[@twelvetonemusic]

I have mine modded with a seymour duncan rail humbucker and a single coil and it's amazing!

[@ClearAdventure]

I have played 35 years, got one of these off Craigslist for like $40, and it sounds awesome and never goes out of tune. I would highly recommend. Even for advanced players. Sounds better than many guitars I have played that cost thousands. - Kevin Venture 🤘

[@AmperahGaming]

Your dog looks super cute ☺️

[@RichLopp]

I had an EVO that looked just like that one only it was more of a red finish. I actually REALLY liked it! It was the only guitar outside of the Stratocaster that felt natural! I’m now a dedicated Les Paul player, but back then, I couldn’t play anything that wasn’t a strat. The EVO blew me away!

[@jwc00789]

Picked one of these up at a Pawn Shop, used, for $70. Was pleasantly surprised how well it played. Thinking about some nicer Pickups, Pots, and shielding, down the road.

[@emeraldguitarist2529]

i bought one of these and it's my favorite guitar, and I'm in the market for one in black and I'm considering buying one because it's a good guitar for a budget, it's a great heavy tone when it comes to gain especially with those daily humbuckers

[@brianlee6709]

I had one of these 10 years back and it was surprisingly a decent little guitar.

[@misterknightowlandco]

I hate the whole "beginner guitar" thing. If the frets dont buzz, they dont cut your fingers, it stays in tune and intonates then you got a good guitar. The rest of it can be taken care of.

[@jonfs2000]

Can't agree more... but actually "beginner guitar" are the ones that should stay in tune..😄

[@johnbrady1211]

I picked up an Epiphone L.P. Special 1 P-90s a while back for the amazing price of $25.00. I plugged it in at home and got nothing but a little static. I pulled the control cover off and found that the previous owner tried to tighten the volume pot up and didn't hold it from behind. It spun around and ripped the ground wire off the pot. A quick realignment of the pot and re-soldering the ground wire back on and it played like a champ. You have to hold the pot in place while tightening the nut or that's bound to happen. That Dean, I would have bought it for $50.00!

[@ThorneyedWT]

Sounds surprisingly good for the price. Must be that i expected muddy overwound ceramic crap as are 90% of affordable chinese bolt-ons...

[@ThorneyedWT]

Oh, you say its easy to get decent cleans on cheap guitar... Ahaha no. All the gain no mids all the gain those sound ok, but getting good cleans is pain in the butt.

[@bradleystroup1457]

"Vintage" Deans would be a cool addition to your channel. They do have some history.

[@genjama]

I focused on you doing the intro to sanitarium for 10 mins seeing how its not exactly like the original but you still played it so nicely i didnt care. Surprising from a Chinese made guitar.

[@erochelle77]

As an avid Dean fan, I was surprised when I saw this pop up. I think you gave it a fair review. It is an entry level guitar, but good for what it is. Dean gets an undeserved bad wrap with players. Yeah, they make low end stuff (who doesn't?) and metal guitars, but they also make great other guitars. Thank you for doing a fair and honest review. PS, I shared this with the DOA (Dean Owners Association) on Facebook.

[@incubrian]

this was my very first electric!!! only 99 bucks NEW at musicians friend in 2004, and it was a DREAM to play. sounded awesome, and PLAYED sooooo much better than all the other Squiers and les paul knockoffs i was borrowing at the time. i still have this thing too! so cool to see this getting reviewed at Trogly!!!

[@alabamahebrew]

If someone was to take and throw in a $150 set of used 57 classics or 490/498's that guitar would rock! To me it is what would happen if a Tele and a Les Paul mated. The Body looks more Tele while the neck and head stock are Les Paul. Very good and very thorough review Austin, thanks for putting this one up.

[@scottykingdavid]

Deans will not disappoint... My Evo special select was phenomenal and so is the string thru vendetta... Phenomenal.

[@kevinryan6759]

i love that you played Possum Kingdom and the guitar looks like the one he plays in the video. You da man

[@johnm3946]

My neighbor gave a crazy looking Dean Z-X and amazingly great. Probably wouldn't had bought it but glad I got it.

[@KINGV2189]

Killer review man!!! You have a new follower!!!

[@bernardblood9447]

My first guitar when I started playing again .Sounded good .Played well .Cost about £100 new

[@bmac1205]

Dean's are grossly underrated. Do more Deans.

[@wiseguy9202]

I particularly enjoy your non-Gibson videos you mix in.

[@Fidozo15]

Dean makes awesome guitars. I got a Dean VX Eric Peterson Sig and it has the DMT Design and I'm seriously questioning about changing pickups because they're so damn amazing. They're hot and fucking cool. The electronics are amazing and the grover tuners well, they're Grover... Can't complain about anything actually

[@daniwest1370]

Hey! why dont you do a mod series? it would be great, put some cover to those pickups, meavy some cheap import locking tuners, a tusk nut...

[@NevvAmerika7]

I just picked up a mahogany set neck version of this guitar and absolutely love it. I was very surprised at the playability of it and really enjoy the tones I get from it. Upgrading the pickups is still on my list of things to do, but for the time being it has become my easy player at home.

[@the_nondrive_side]

Ground wire. Should link up from the bridge or tailpiece and either a pot or the output jack and shielding.

[@drumm3rbo187]

Who else loved seeing Trogly play Sanitarium? He's really good too.

[@sickb2200]

Deans have always felt good to me. First one I ever tried was a Dean Cadillac.

[@Notapizzathief]

I bought one of these second hand off gumtree, and for £80 I absolutely LOVE it. I've played for 20 years and admittedly I know very little about gear, but to me it feels like a way more expensive guitar. The tone is okay, but the playability is pretty great in my opinion.

[@deanc.5984]

I have a Dean, it holds tuning, solid, great look and finish. I like it.

[@codeman3640]

Got one of these for 80 in a pawn shop to learn on. Super happy with it so far

[@RastaSaiyaman]

I owned the ML (The Dimebag model) version of this series. it was nice and light and looked cool but I just couldn't bond with it, so I let it go soon after.

[@kingsocke7702]

that loose wire is meant for Grounding and it should be fixed between the backplate and guitar Body to be connected to the shielding on the backplate

[@Trog]

Thanks!

[@timcarter1164]

I own one of these guitars, and for what it is, it's a beast. Planning on switching out all of the electronics, dropping in a vintage Seymour Duncan in the bridge, and a newer Duncan in the neck. Upgrade the tuning machines and the nut as well. But even stock out of the box, these are great little guitars. My only major complaint is, the Frets could be larger on mine.

[@briankeenan4901]

I just restored a dean similar to that one. That black wire that was laying around seemed to come from one of the bridge post inserts. It's a ground wire. How well it grounds on that black hardwire is a mystery.

[@cameronthomas1358]

When I was 16, I bought one of these new off Guitar center for like 100 dollars. I remembered not getting to play it long. The port literally fell off, the frets buzzed badly, the tuners never stayed in tune. Virtually the thing just fell apart within a month. I ended up just scrapping the pickups for parts and going back to my Squier affinity strat. This was just my experience back in 2007 though.

[@jackpasternak7586]

some jackson guitars came in at work and had that same loose wire, i believe it’s supposed to just make contact with the shielding on the cavity cover

[@TannerCsH]

If you ever do another Dean I’d love to see you review a Dean Cadillac 1980 (it’s the slightly higher end set-neck version of the Cadillac compared to the bolt on X-Model) I absolutely love them with its fusion of Les Paul and Explorer body and radical headstock! Plus it’s popularity with players like Rich Williams and Kerry Livgren of Kansas and more current musicians like Rob Barrett of Cannibal Corpse rocking a signature model they’re just killer guitars!! If you could find one for a reasonable price I would absolutely love to see a review on it!!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

I have found Dean import guitars to be rather good guitars in comparison to other import brands at the same and higher price points. Ive have had and have vintage Deans. They are great. The imports are not in the same ballpark as the vintage Deans. But, for what they are id recommend them over their competition. I jave a couple import Deans I use for beater guitars. I use them when I do jam nights at ive bars. Or if im just going to a friend's house to play in the garage. In fact I jave an older imported Dean ml that has the the best fretboard that ive ever seen on a guitar Ive owned. Ive considered many times taking it to a luthier to have the fret board removed, then put on a different guitar. Ust one of those things I havent gotten around to.

[@randymiles904]

I played one of these at a pawn shop. I should have bought it. It played great and was a very solid guitar. Perfect for a mod platform. Great, cheap guitar.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Great value for 50 bucks man☺ Nothing wrong with that Dean !

[@lcali7496]

My first guitar was a Dean Evo that I got for less than 100 bucks i think, and I've sold most of the guitars I've bought later but this one I still got because it's simply the best beginner-guitar I've ever seen. No, it's obviously not one of the best guitars out there, but it definitely holds it's own against much more expensive guitars.

[@choppedandscrewedcustoms]

Ive got 1 thats been collecting dust ive been considering putting a set of Dimebag pickups in and see how much difference it makes

[@garrettodonnell4177]

Sounds a lot better than I was expecting. Not going to melt any faces but seems worth having around if it's a good player.

[@AkeoT9]

Back in '07 guitar center was giving these away as a starter package with a small amp, start etc. There was also a strat shape version like a dinky. Along with the Laguna guitars I kinda liked those and don't see em as much anymore

[@rockerbob949]

They are great for the price but if you’re gonna get a Dean you gotta go for the ML. The base model (MLX I think) is in the same price range as the EVO. ML has a cool factor of 11!🤘🏼

[@MoMo-xb7nr]

That was really fair. I had one before I learned how to do a complete setup on guitars, I may have kept it. It was a nice hefty piece of wood.

[@noeliadurand7212]

Great video! Can the body also be plywood? Thanks

[@avielkharrat5788]

Excellent review, Trogly! Thx!

[@tommytwospirit4197]

I pick up one from a pawn shop for $35(cnd) it only needed minor repair and adjustment. I have future plans to put some new pickups and maybe paint the body

[@dennisdavidson4271]

What is that cleaning fluid that you used for the headstock, body and fretboard? What can be used that is similar? What size covers fit those pickups?

[@nieko3038]

Have you ever seen a Evo premium from Czech? Was looking for videos about those. They seem quite nice. My dad has one but that one needs a setup badly. They are quite cheap on Reverb from what I found. They come with Seymour Duncans. Coil split. They have real thick maple caps. Block inlay on an ebony board. Fully bound. Might be interesting for people who want a quality instrument.

[@kramidanalub]

Hi I have the same guitar but the bridge pick up has low output. I already bought a replacement but for the life of me can not understand how the wiring at the back is done. The one that I got for replacement is the typical seymour duncan with five wires (red and white soldered together, green and bare soldered together and black (hot) wire). Seems that it does not follow the regular 1vol 1 tone 3way switch wiring. any ideas on how I can do this? Cant find any videos on the net for these dean evo xm's Thanks

[@russianbot2397]

I like it. I got a 90's dean ml (dime bag guitar) from Craigslist like ten years ago for cheap and it's really good but has really cheap electronics and it's super pointy and uncomfortable to play unless you're standing up, but yeah. Dean is a good company.

[@Stoney3K]

That serial number looks like a simple date code with a daily serial. I bought mine as a cheap deal ($129 brand new) just to play around with, and it's solid built, the only thing I noticed is that the switch is getting squeaky, and I don't like the finish on the humbuckers (they don't have cover panels which I think is kind of sloppy). May just replace those with another set of pickups in the future.

[@overdriven77]

Hey dude, if I can make one suggestion......I'd like to see you review classic Dean lineup, V, Z, and especially the three pickup Cadillac! Cheers!

[@urbap]

i've got a 1999 korean Dean HSS Strat (Avalanche One) which has got grover tuners and some kinda nice bridge, its got the old school pearloid pickguard and abalone dot inlays too. Paid £100 for it and its well worth the price. The pickups sounded better than expected and the finish is beautiful (Braziliaburst finish where you can see the grain through). Honestly i was real suprised when i found out it was a Dean guitar i was playing cause i normally expect something like a razorback or something

[@joelmiddaugh8229]

Humbucker pickups with no screw slug pole pieces or holes in the baseplate for said screw poles=humbuckers you need to replace. But seriously I've always thought Dean makes great guitars on a budget. Acoustic and electric. But now hearing the demo yeah ya gotta swap those pups out. The good thing about hums is if they can't handle dirt, they probably sound good clean.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

Sounds good considering the cheap pickups and pots. It would be worth upgrading the pots.

[@angelodias7720]

Hey Troggly, how do you do? Cutting to the chase, if you translate directly from Portuguese into English, "pau ferro" means "iron wood". Hope it makes any sense to you lol.

[@john_rocks_jax]

How about a set of Seymour duncun hot rods.for it?

[@Xpyburnt_ndz]

I've had a couple Dean guitars and the company definately has some "sleepers" that can be had CHEAP that play and aound great! If I didn't have a full arsenal right now, I'd grab this one just to have it! Nice find! 😊

[@triplesevensix291]

You really cant fault that for $50 right. Little bargain there. Even with brand new guitars you guys Stateside get a hell of a deal. I like the stripped down no nonsense plain wood & satin type finish. That neck heel carve too. Cool little guitar that Austin lad. I'm actually thinking about buying a little Dean travel acoustic? Only £70. I love those little travel acoustics though for just sitting on the sofa strumming.Hope you're having a sound weekend man? Cheers big ears. ;)

[@bradcarr2444]

I had one of these was 99.99 when I bought it new. I didn't like the colors of these models.One thing I never liked it had sharp frets ends but they didn't cut you. It plays good the neck is really good comfortable to play. It doesnt sound bad at all even at high gain it's good for metal.

[@bradcarr2444]

Oh it also has a cheap finish on it it's a veneer not real stain ect. it's a wrap of some kind ect. It will chip off or ware off .It will also chip if you bump into something even not hard it's very soft wood also.

[@Iheartdgd]

I’ve owned one of these in the same finish for years and never touched it lol. I recently start routing it out with the idea of making a sort of ‘Holy Explorer’ style guitar, should be cool👍🏻

[@johnm3152]

You should check.out the new Dean Zelinsky LP style guitars. They're solid playing and affordable.

[@charleshaman1782]

I agree that the look of the body is pretty nice, timeless... but I think you were way too generous in judging the sound. If found at rock-bottom price, it looks like a great project guitar: keep the body, and learn how to mod everything else!

[@justinrayguitars6024]

Just traded for one just like it yesterday. It is pretty good after I did a setup.

[@richszmal1653]

You need to review a schecter solo for your next single cut guitar.

[@Luke-Emmanuel]

hey, whats the neck profile?

[@johnnytruck2009]

That could definitely be hot rodded..

[@Scott__C]

I think Suhr and Huber are starting to use Paulownia in their stuff. I think it'll be the new wood du jour

[@robertoferreira5157]

Are the pickups ceramic or alnico?

[@bipbipletucha]

Maybe it's just me, but this thing reminds me a lot of the EVH Wolfgang. Idk, maybe it's the EVO - EVH similarity

[@NFeijen]

That wire usually goes to a tremolo bridge in ur stratocaster XD

[@guitarmainiac80]

Looks like basswood. Paulonia has alot of grain, like ash, and is SUPER light. It would be noticeably lighter than other guitars. Rock on!

[@Kylora2112]

I like Deans...I have 2 Zs (Explorer clones) that I absolutely love playing, as well as a Dave Mustaine signature VNMT.

[@halatcibarmen]

Gorgeous!

[@dingo802]

I would like to hear your thoughts on a leslie west soltero.

[@chrishenderson9130]

I have a dean vx that I swapped knockoff pafs into. Fun little guitar!

[@DarwinStearns]

The EVO XM Short Scale Bass is also a great "bang for the buck" item.

[@jasonjarnet8141]

It really throws me off how everything looks like a les paul except that upper "wing" or "bump" (where top strap button is attached) just looks more like a tele one, wierd design choice, but I dig it!

[@joemamma4324]

I have 2 Deans in my arsenal...GREAT GUITARS!

[@AnonymouseZillenial]

Actually had one of these for awhile, decent guitars but I could never get used to the shape

[@joelflautista]

That's my favorite guitar ❤

[@Alejandro_Graciano_Music]

I just got one of these today and one of the wires in the back it’s detached and I don’t know where it goes. It’s a black wire. Also the switch is very loose I tried to tie it as much as possible, but still very loose unlike the guitar from the video. Anyone knows the wiring of this guitar works, can please message me and give a hand. I can send pics and or videos. Please and thank you all.

[@Fk_DaWokes904]

2023 now and still have this guitar. Ill never get rid of it 😊

[@adambilge2834]

12:50 I think I know where you need to solder that unused grounding wire.

[@SosAmanSam]

Me too lol, mine was popping at the store, talked them down to $40. Pots been good since the re solder ;)

[@enzobriso3176]

La recomiendas para tocar death metal?

[@thomaskafafian2871]

Did you get the awesome strap with it for the 50 bucks? Great video. I really like the wooden vibe going on too.

[@Trog]

Yup!

[@thomaskafafian2871]

That's awesome!

[@1thess523]

I like The Paul 👍, I've tried a few and they always sound really nice.

[@scottykingdavid]

Deans are great guitars. I have a vendetta I will not part with. And a Dean Evo special select. Great guitars

[@VintageDefectors69]

I had a Vendetta XM at some point and I loved it at the time. It's still an amazing playing guitar.. either the pickups or the wiring are HORRIBLY NOISY despite the actual sound for distortion being pretty punchy. The tuners weren't horrible but not amazing either. I ended up trading it for fender custom shop pickups in my first guitar. (labeled Stinger. Made for and signed by Jeff Cook but not to play. I think they were given away or something. The signature was worn off in a couple weeks) and a Boss CS-2. Sadly the wiring in that guitar is horrible so the pickups still don't sound good (or I got ripped off. No serial numbers on them but one had the custom shop sticker on it, but it was really big).

[@brentbowman4498]

I’ve noticed the dean imports are all over the place when it comes to finding specs, like I got a used ML ‘79 from GC and I checked dean’s website for info to see if it was a fair price ($400 for a used Korean model when they run new at $700 for the Chinese models), but from what I can tell it’s a mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard so I’m not complaining one bit, but I do feel a bit bad for the owner that GC probably ripped off