![Evan Loken](/img/default-banner.jpg)
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Evan Loken
Registrace 22. 12. 2013
Focusing on a variety of lifestyle topics and interests from tennis, fitness, food, guitar and music.
The Struggle to Sync MORE THAN 10 Philips Hue Lights to Your TV!
Ever since buying my first Hue products in late 2019, I really wanted to have a cool sync set up. I didn't really know what all I needed, and kept learning that I needed more gear to get the set up I wanted. oof.
Over the next 5 years I went down an expensive rabbit hole of biased, synchronized lighting by Hue.
At my current place, for the longest time though, I had to choose which lights would sync with the tv and which ones would remain off, creating relative dark spots or uneven lighting around the living room and surrounding areas.
After reading a reddit post that said they had gotten it to work with 15, I finally decided to experiment with a second sync box, and a second bridge to see if I could sync more than 10 lights, and would no longer have to choose which lights, hand up the other guitars and have a more even lighting experience.
The experiment had many issues, pitfalls and facepalms. Hopefully this 2+ week journey of trying to get it right is informative as it is entertaining.
Over the next 5 years I went down an expensive rabbit hole of biased, synchronized lighting by Hue.
At my current place, for the longest time though, I had to choose which lights would sync with the tv and which ones would remain off, creating relative dark spots or uneven lighting around the living room and surrounding areas.
After reading a reddit post that said they had gotten it to work with 15, I finally decided to experiment with a second sync box, and a second bridge to see if I could sync more than 10 lights, and would no longer have to choose which lights, hand up the other guitars and have a more even lighting experience.
The experiment had many issues, pitfalls and facepalms. Hopefully this 2+ week journey of trying to get it right is informative as it is entertaining.
zhlédnutí: 65
Video
I Bought a BOUTIQUE Acoustic - The Story Behind: Sadie - Atkin OM37 - Part 5
zhlédnutí 172Před 2 měsíci
Sadie is a 2021 Atkin OM37. This is one of my most prized-possessions, and hopefully you will see, hear and understand why. After years of yearning for a vintage acoustic, I found something that plays amazing, sounds amazing, but feels like a guitar that's been around for decades but also with modern technology and thorough craftsmanship. Stick around for 'Summer Nights', perhaps my favorite so...
I Tried PRS' $499 SE CE24 + others at Guitar Center.
zhlédnutí 3,9KPřed 3 měsíci
Guitar World Called the new PRS SE CE "a pricing mistake", that it was way too much guitar for $499. I don't own a PRS but have played some nice ones. I wanted to see if their review was hype or if this guitar really could pack that much of a punch. Plus some other guitars, one being a custom shop PRS for comparison and a relic LPJr. style guitar that caught my eye. Ended up buying a Shure SM58...
Green Day's 'Saviors': A SuperFan's Review
zhlédnutí 174Před 4 měsíci
Better Late than never! Here is my review of the Saviors Album, some track by track reviews, thoughts and previews. I want to hear what your favorite songs on the record are. My top 5: Goodnight Adeline Dilemma Saviors TADIKM Fancy Sauce At the very end, I post my Saviors Tour Setlist predictions. What songs did I miss? What songs do you think they'll skip this tour?
I Bought a Fender CUSTOM SHOP Heavy Relic Strat! | The Story Behind: Candy
zhlédnutí 12KPřed 5 měsíci
This is the story about how I went on to acquire this 2021 Fender Custom Shop Candy Apple Red Stratocaster. One of my biggest purchases to date is the red heavy relic Stratocaster sitting behind me in a lot of my videos. Within the video I talk about the appeal of the Custom Shop, the controversial dynamic around relics, whether I like it or not, regret it or recommend it after 2.5 years of own...
Green Day's 'One-Eyed Bastard': A Super Fan's Reaction
zhlédnutí 2KPřed 5 měsíci
Green Day surprised us with a fourth single released from their upcoming Saviors which drops two weeks from the date of uploading this video on Jan. 19th, 2024. They also recently played Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve in LA. Watch as I hear their new single and some of their NYE performances for the first time.
Green Day Super Fan Reacts: Pop Punk Bands' Favorite GD Song
zhlédnutí 96Před 6 měsíci
Shoutout to WWWY Festival for creating this cool interview-style montage of other bands picking a favorite Green Day song. My all time favorite band, I am more familiar with their discography than any other bands, it was fun seeing what other fans/musicians picked.
Green Day Super Fan Reacts to | 'Look Ma, No Brains' & 'Dilemma'
zhlédnutí 982Před 6 měsíci
Listening for the first time to "Look Ma, No Brains" and "Dilemma" off of Green Day's upcoming album Saviors. Planning on doing a full album review when it comes out in January 2024. I grew up listening to Green Day and enjoy songs from their entire discography.
My FIRST USA Strat! | The Story Behind | Daphne | Part 3
zhlédnutí 1,4KPřed 7 měsíci
"The guitar that was never meant to be but always meant to be!" The story of Daphne is a roller coaster ride. Thanks for watching! Let me know in the comments if you would ever own an all-rosewood Stratocaster.
My FIRST Martin | The Story Behind: Marty
zhlédnutí 848Před 7 měsíci
A few years after acquiring Stallion, I knew that I needed a decent acoustic on a tight budget . After some saving, research and brand favoritism, I purchased Marty for approximately $360 in June 2015.
When the mistakes get the best of you. Onto Take 18 🤷♂️
zhlédnutí 175Před 7 měsíci
Green Day Super Fan Reacts to 'The American Dream is Killing Me'
zhlédnutí 302Před 8 měsíci
Tune in as I listen for the very first time to Green Day's new single 'The American Dream is Killing Me' and learn more about the future of Green Day's discography. Green Day has been my all time favorite band for almost 20 years - American Idiot came out when I turned 6, and it was my first album - on repeat in the CD Player with the Koss Headphones all throughout the elementary school era. We...
10 years ago today I bought my first Fender. Celebrating with a guitar solo! 🎸#guitar #fender
zhlédnutí 281Před 8 měsíci
Part 2 - The Colorado Vlog 2023
zhlédnutí 17Před 9 měsíci
Part 2, the rest of Red Rocks, the Rockies and Winter Park. Thanks for watching!
My FIRST Time in Colorado (Red Rocks, Stick Figure, Boulder) Vlog 2023
zhlédnutí 29Před 9 měsíci
My first time in Colorado was a stacked trip! Two StickFigure concerts in a weekend, a national park, and a day in Boulder with my brother. Thanks to so many for making the trip a Core Memory of 2023!
I agree you can always make decisions based on finances, if you can afford it you only live once
I agree you can always make decisions based on finances, if you can afford it you only live once
Love the little bunny visitors!! And lmao all the trials and tribulations you went through
stupid
Evan, if u want look at the neck spec area and it will tell you the thickness. It will look something like this. 8.30-9.20. That’s like medium. But the shoulders can make it feel chunky or if the shoulders are smaller and more rounded a bit it will feel smaller. So Fano is a bit bigger. But my Fender American standard is a c shape as is the Fano but feels much more comfortable. I have Brian Moore super strats very thin comfortable neck 7.80-8.90. So even though it says C shape the specs tell u as I said the thickness. The radius is how flat or rounded the fretboard is like 9.5 radius. D shape like on a Duesenberg hurts my thumb so bad. Had to sell it. Anyway, just trying to help. Enjoy your guitar. PS. If u connect with it grab it. It doesn’t happen with every guitar.
I love my PRS SE CE 24 cherry red satin...yes, it's a real rosewood fretboard, maple neck and solid mahogany very resonant body. It plays well, sounds great at any price point. It's virtually the the same guitar as the SE 24 only does not have the flamed maple top....BUT it has the same electronics and has a floating bridge... Bought mine last February..
Plus the SE 24 isn't a real flame maple top. It's a thin veneer covering. I love my vintage cherry satin too.
I absolutely HATE relic'd guitars
I have the same guitar. Thorn has signed the certificate but not built the guitar since it is not a masterbuilt but a teambuilt version.
I tried one at local GC last weekend and the set up was not good. Seems every guitar there has high action and 10's as strings.
Daphne and Stallion???🤔
Yes, Daphne because it’s Daphne Blue officially and Stallion because it’s all black 😀
You called your other guitar Stallion???
You called your guitar Daphne?????
Se and ce are not the same thing. Its not about the money but construction. The core CE is every bit as good as an Custom 24 core. The only difference it has an bolt on neck (thats the ce). Some people say the ones who cant efford a custom etc buy a CE. But the tone is totally different because of the bolt on. I like the way you do thing, but you should read more into what something is before telling people the information that isnt correct (like the rosewood thing).
I had a Martin check like that-in shipping. When I called Martin about repairing it, they basically told me that they could fix it, but they wouldn't recommend it because people actually like that look. I agree, makes it look a little more weathered and rugged.
Guitar sounds great! Love the song at the end
why is your ps5 looks so big lol
😂😂good question tbf
It is Rosewood.
Stretch the strings out… that’s why it won’t stay in tune. New strings.
Probably true!! I’ll remember this for next time.
I have 2 American Fenders, 2 Gibsons and 2 Squiers. I tried a PRS at GC yesterday and it felt really unsubstantial, like a toy guitar?
Interesting! PRS definitely have a unique feel to them that’s for sure.
I got that same “toy” guitar feeling . It felt TOO new , like it would take ages to break it in and feel like something with love in it .
@@russelllagow9169nonsense
It's such a nice guitar, and it's definitely not a pricing mistake. A lot of guitar players out there are buying cheaper guitars these days, PRS recognized that and wanted to make something new that fit that price range. People are just getting used to being price gouged from other companies for quality guitars so when they see a new PRS in 2024 for 500 bucks it seems too good to be true. That's the beauty of the SE line, the Indonesian factory is known for quality but they can keep the manufacturing cost down by going overseas. That's why people are upset with Epiphone for pricing the good models everyone wants starting at a grand or 1,300, because they're still making them in China like their more affordable models but they're priced pretty steep. You know they're saving cost by going with China, but at the same time they're going the way of Apple. Using cheap labor and pricing everything high at what they think certain set of people are willing to pay for maximum profit. That's why I think some people are ditching Epiphone (and the unobtainium Gibson) and simply opting for brands like PRS for quality, or AIO and Xaviere for price. Unless you're a Gibson/Epiphone purest, if you're going to spend that much on an Epiphone Les Paul for example, I'd say just get a SE McCarty 594 Singlecut and call it a day. The chances are better of you getting a quality playing/sounding guitar you don't have to mess with to set up instead of one with QC issues. Also, I try to avoid Chinese products in general unless it's a phone or something I have no choice with.
Very insightful thoughts. I agree, we have become too used to companies giving us terrible deals for maximum profit, so having something back in a balance or to the consumer’s favor is a nice relief. Thanks for watching!
@@evanloken19 Nice video btw!
Incorrect, you DO just need another guitar, at lest thats what i've told my wife 50 times now. LOL
Was waiting for someone to say this! 😂
I dig both. Played both awesome relicd and untouched and there are special guitars from each example. Its all the individual instrument. If it inspires you who cares. That strat is killer.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I think you’re right! Some instruments just speak to you as a player.
I should trust your opinion with the way you play?
I mostly go on feel of a guitar. I like to always try before I buy because every guitar can be different - but for $500 new it was a strong guitar!
Nice video!!
0:45 Made a slight mistake when editing - overlooked that the fingerboard IS in fact Rosewood. Between how perfect the color looked and the $499 price I was shocked to learn it was actual Rosewood. $700-$1000 Fenders don’t even have rosewood anymore. 😮
no way 😮
Actually Fender just brought rosewood back!
@@edmanning274praise! Pau Ferro always felt so dry! Just my Opinion.
@@evanloken19 Well, that's very easily solved with some wax but I don't like it either as its a bit less dense I think. The colour isn't great either (although, again very easily fixed)
Maybe if the specs mentioned what the fingerboard was made of... 🤔
Yeah I know 😂 it was just my first impression. I was shocked it was rosewood
Thank you for the review. This is gonna be my next guitar
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching
I hope you know more about tennis 🎾
I got to say you didn’t even work the gain on the amp to see how the two guitars sounded at break up. You really need to do a deep dive into tone before you review guitars. That’s why you would buy the $499 PRS it’s basically made for guys like you. Step up your game…
I disagree, if I'm looking to buy a guitar it will predominantly be on feel at first then it's about how it sounds. Also, why so bitter? Give this guy some support as he's clearly starting up on CZcams, give a friendly suggestion rather than an aggresive one. Good video Evan!
Dude, you're a jerk. Get a life.
I got to say: though your points may hold some veracity, you deliver them in message-form like a punk-ass-bitch. Have an awesome day!
@@ralfjenkins2605 Hey I’m sorry I was too harsh on you and I get that you’re just getting started. However you do have a lot to learn and to that end I will issue a challenge. I challenge you to work on getting a similar tone to your favorite band Green Day. It’s not a hard tone to emulate and it’s an opportunity to understand why Gibson LP juniors with one p90 pickup are awesome and way different than a junior with two pickups. Check out Chris Bucks channel he’s got a great video on a Junior that was own by Keith Richards and I think you will enjoy it. You can get a cheap Epiphone and upgrade the pickups and you will be amazed at how good it sounds. The rest of it is up to you, find out how to get the amp to sound like Billy Joe’s or as close as you can get. You will learn a ton and it will be really fun. I’m moving back to Chicago so maybe I’ll bump into you at Chi Music exchange, if so I’ll say hello. Once again I’m sorry I was so harsh on you and I wish you a peaceful day.
Keep working 50 days straight and buying a new custom shop guitar every 6 months and your next purchase may be for a divorce attorney.
You ain’t wrong!
@@evanloken19 But if you're single, I say "Keep up the good work and buy as many guitars as your heart desires.". Gotta have a Tele too.
That relacing is really over the top!
Don't regret that guitar, it looks cool ,those guitars from fcshop are great,life is short, go and enjoy that guitar, play the crap out of it, I'm speaking from experience,
🤘🏼couldn’t agree more. Thanks for watching!
That neck looks awesome! Cool story how you finally got it in your collection too. I completely understand picking up that one guitar that you feel an instant connection with. It’s a glorious feeling. I too was searching for an Olympic White USA Strat initially. After playing many of them but not getting the vibe, I happened across a Sonic Blue MX Strat that instantly felt like magic. ✨ Enjoy, Evan 🎶
Thanks so much for watching ThomDust, glad you were able to find a stray you loved after a lot of searching. Someday I’ll get an OWhite guitar that fits into my collection too
I bought the same guitar at GC. It is a nice piece. I neither wanted a red guitar, nor a relic. But I did the same thing, asked to play it, and about an hour later, I was breaking out my card. I haven't regretted it though, it gets plenty of play time in my rotation.
Just double-checked and mine was also shows a date of 6/23/2021. Probably part of the same order. Mine just came to Houston instead.
Wow that’s pretty cool! Sounds like ours was a team-built guitar rather than master built solely by Rob Thorn. Thanks so much for watching!
Awe maaan subscribed, guitars are my fav reality escape. Amen brother, gorgeous strat
Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! Working on my next one.
The vintage ii line is an amazing second choice I got the 61 strat in Olympic white. It's perfect. Love the content. Just got a new subscriber
Great guitar choice and color. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
I like a guitar with real battle scars, from real live playing, I have a 80's Strat with dents, chips, scuffs and even a little rust on the bridge, but they are real, I can tell you where each of the scars happened. I personally don't care for the fabricated factory aging. I wouldn't but a new Truck or Rifle that was designed to look beaten-up, so why would I buy a guitar that way?
You’re in luck. You don’t have to buy it. Just like I don’t have to buy another dang sunburst finish. Get it?!!
I recently had an opportunity that I could not pass up to trade for a Custom Shop 1965 Journeyman Relic Strat locally on FB Marketplace. The seller was had it listed for a while, so I just threw an offer of an American Deluxe Strat, an 80s Takamine acoustic that was hanging on my wall that I bought for $50, and cash. For reasons completely unknown to me, the guy was interested in making the deal. My wife approved (miraculously) and I sped over to the guy's house as fast as possible in case he had second thoughts. Turns out it was the seller's birthday and he just felt like making a guitar deal. Long story short, I now own an upper echelon guitar I never thought I would, and best of all, the CS Strat just makes me want to play guitar. The relic job is tasteful and actually makes me want to play it even more because I don't feel hesitant about dinging it up.
I love that! Thanks for the story, and play that thing as much as possible. Thanks for watching! Cheers 🍻
It looks ghastly. Like a pair of pre distressed jeans. Ugh
You never play with a strap? Do you always play sitting down? Highly recommend trying out practicing and performing standing, you really get a feel for neck position and playing by feel instead of looking at the neck, which is a little easier when you are sitting down. And also highly recommend a basic set of set up rules. It’s really pretty simple to do and unless there is something really off (which the rules will tell you) you can set your guitar up with a set of tools that cost under $30). But as far as the guitar goes, I think the relics are kind of cool and you know a custom shop guitar is going to be a nice one with few issues. I bought my Strat new, just a plain old USA version, but it’s getting up there in age, bought it in high school so it’s now a vintage, road worn, guitar lol. So many memories, nothing beats playing guitar in a band in college, getting to open for bands coming up who are now famous or almost famous, and just picking up an old friend every day for an hour or so. Play that thing!
I do play mostly sitting down. Mostly as I record in a daw. I should play more standing up though you’re right. Your guitar sounds pretty legit. One day I may form a band again.
I watch your channel for guitar but I notice you are a tennis player. I think that is very cool because I have been playing tennis even longer than guitar. We both play guitar and tennis.
Yes! I have been playing tennis longer too officially. But ever since I was 3 I wanted to play the guitar. Finally learned when I was like 12! Tennis I started around 8. I actually want to make more tennis content. Has been tricky to find the time though 🤯
Love your guitar. I think even though the guitar is a lot of money but I think it's nice to buy one very expensive excellent guitar. You deserve it because you worked hard to get thru school. I bought a 1966 Mosrite Mark V because I wanted one badly and I had been working in my new job as a Rad Tech so I thought I would spend the money. It was $2,100 plus shipping so I didn't spend as much as you but it was a lot of money nevertheless. Oh there is a CZcamsr named Ross Campbell from Scotland who, like you really wanted a CS Strat and spent a lot on it and is glad he did. Your Strat reminds me of a Strat that the guitarist from INXS, Kirk Pengilly sold at auction. Look it up. I just liked and subscribed because I like this video. I am subscriber 112.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting James. I think I’ve seen Ross Campbell on YT. Was he the one that put hot rails in his CS Strat? The 1966 Mosrite is a rad guitar! I looked up Kirk’s red Strat, it really does have that same color and glow. Thanks for subscribing! I’m working on my next video :)
@@evanloken19 Hi, yes you are right, Ross Campbell put Hot Rails in his but he later regretted it and went back to the stock Strat CS pickups, rightfully so.
@@jamesgibson3242 funny enough I saw that video because was considering putting hot rails into one of my guitars. I got my way. Twice now actually. Future videos! Excited to make :D
I bought a Mexican Daphne Blue Fender Road Worn Strat new which came with Custom ’59 pickups. Definitely the best of the 5 Strats I’ve owned and two of them were American. The vintage narrow frets and 7.25 inch radius have taken some getting used to and I may get it refretted with bigger frets in the future. The nitro relic job suits me - no worries about dinking it!
@@jamesgibson3242Ross is a great guitarist and I know his red strat. He plays great.
Guitars are not just objects ..but they are less alive than a tree
Also relics in the 4K range IMO have inferior checking and non existent on the neck but aging as far as finish wear is usually really nice
I've owned maybe 3 or 4 CS guitars in the last 30 years and ended up selling them Not because they were poor quality but they felt like new guitars and not vintage like I was used to I imagine after they are 20 year's old and broken in their much better now Just my experience
Nothing beats a broken in guitar. I really enjoy the playability of this one though. Always surprises me after I haven’t played it for a while. Thanks for watching!
The main point of relics is to get that vintage look and feel with taking a $20000 guitar out on the road [gig] get lost, stolen, or damaged. This only stems from famous guitarest that was getting copys of their guitars so nothing happens to their original
I hate how thin strats sound .. mine just collects dust. A $4,500 les paul standard would of been the better purchase.
Nothing beats the sound of a Les Paul. For some reason, I just prefer the playability of strats.
@evanloken19 my strat does play really good as well.. but I gotta take tone over playability
If your strat sounds thin, you are doing something wrong....🎸🤘🏼🎸
Good on you bro. You deserve that guitar.
I appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching!
Relics are cool. I have a 2008/1009 Road Worn 60s Strat and it is killer. Just got an AVII ‘61 Strat in three color sunburst and with time, it’ll relic. That guitar was almost exactly what I was going to spec with the Custom Shop for my 50th birthday but I saved myself $3k and didn’t have to wait three years unto that momentous birthday 😂
That sounds awesome! I have my guitar dream list on my Daphne video, and one of them for sure is a sunburst. I like the three tone bursts better. And I’ve heard 1961 is a great year for strats too. Thanks for watching!
I purchased a master build custom shop Blungeon. Expensive, yes. However, I love this guitar as it opened doors for me. If you can afford one, do it.
That’s the JBonamassa No caster? I love that guitar of his! Thanks for watching and commenting
It might not have been the most sensible purchase, but one day you'll have a wife and kids and you won't be able to spend that kinda money on a guitar even if you have the money. So you've invested in your future happiness. Take that intel from a guy 15-20years further down the road. Also, you're an excellent musician. You deserve great instruments to use your talent on.
Thanks so much for your comment and for watching!