NGD finally an Agile!

[ZMAN]

Well the big brown truck just left. I ordered a guitar on Wednesday morning at 7 a. m. and it was delivered today at 6 pm. I am in Maine on vacation and the company was Rondo Music. I had heard so much about the Agiles being so great I had to find out for myself.
I had heard that they are very heavy so I decided to try one of their lightweight chambered guitars.
I am a big fan of Chambered guitars as I have two Gibsons that are chambered.
I ordered the 3125 in Honey Sunburst finish with a flame top. It has the Tusq nut and saddles, and the ebony board. Triple binding and full trapezoid inlays. I ordered the Douglas brown case as well.
So far I tuned it up and it plays quite well. The strings sound very "accoustic like" so I don't know if it is the tusq nut or the strings themselves. They are D'addrios but what type I don't know.
I didn't bring an amp so I borrowed a Line6 and it is totaly new to me. I will have some time tomorrow to tweak it and see how it sounds. The pickup height needs adjusting as well.
As for the chambered body the guitar feels really light. About the same as my Chambered Gibsons.
The fit and finish are flawless, and I am sure that with a good set up and some tweaking it will be a very nice guitar.
It was a no brainer for me as the Canadian dollar is 1.06, and no tax. The shipping from Rondo in NH was scary fast. I had the same experience with them when I order just the Douglas case whiile I was here in April
I had expected the Agile to fit perfectly in the Douglas case but it fits just about the same as the Gibson/Epis that I have. The guitar does not fit tight. It is a good looking well made case though.
Overall I am very happy with the purchase and I can only see it getting better.
The color is very nice as well.
I will post some pictures when I get home.
This is the one.
http://www.rondomusic.com/al3125hsbf.html

[Tig]

Woot! :thumbsup
Can't wait, eh?

[FrankenFretter]

Nice. Welcome to the club, Brian! I would change those strings soon, though. They tend to be pretty corroded from the climate in Korea. I've had some exceptions, though. The HSBF is probably my favorite finish at the moment. I'm looking forward to seeing pics of yours!

[Spudman]

Sweet! Congrats. I'm really curious how those chambered guitars are at gig volume. I know they'll be nicer on the back for sure. My Agile with P90s is the heaviest guitar I own. Can't wait to hear more from you on this one.

[Eric]

Cool. It'll be nice to see some pics of that bad boy.

[ZMAN]

I have borrowed a Line6 Spider IV 15. I downloaded the manual and I will try to get some decent tones out of it.
The guitar seems to be very well made, as any of my Korean made guitars are. I came very unprepared. I don't even have a guitar strap or picks with me. I had not inteneded to buy the guitar but at the last minute decided it would be a good time to do it. If I get some time today I will try to load up some pictures. Otherwise it will be next Thursday before pics.
It does look exactly like the picture on the web site. It also has Mother of Pearl inlays. Quite a lot of upgrades for a budget guitar, and the fact that it is Chambered is a bonus! More to come.

[MAXIFUNK]

Enjoy congrats!

[NWBasser]

Coool!!

The Agiles that I've played don't sound or feel like budget guitars in the least.

Sean's new AL2K is probably one of the nicest guitars that I've ever played.

I think you'll really enjoy that one a lot.

If I should ever replace my Epi, it will almost certainly be with an Agile.

[Duffy]

That is a really nice looking guitar that I'm sure you will have a lot to say about over time.

Even though it is priced like a guitar that you can be more casual with how you handle it; such as leaving it out, on the stand, etc., it still is really nice and it almost begs to be taken well care of. Also, if that baby falls the mahogany neck on it will snap quicker than you can say the word. I'm sure you will take excellent care of it and make sure nothing happens.

If you ever snapped the neck on a mahogany neck guitar, it changes the way you handle them forever.

Looking forward to seeing that really cool looking guitar and I bet the pictures will look way better than the file photo on the website. It will be interesting to hear what you think of the stock pickups when you get home and play it for a while on your main amps. I like my stock pickups on my 3100 and plan on leaving them in. I especially like the neck pickup tone. I wonder sometimes if the "muddiness" you hear people talking about when it comes to neck pickups is just a characteristic of the more warm, rhythm sound that they are supposed to produce. I'm going to have to play my guitar with my Seymour Duncan Jazz neck pickups some more and see if I'm starting to appreciate the sound more now that I have had more experience with neck humbuckers and playing in general. Seems like I can get some great tones out of a lot of guitars now that didn't sound that great to me not that long ago.

[Eric]

I wonder sometimes if the "muddiness" you hear people talking about when it comes to neck pickups is just a characteristic of the more warm, rhythm sound that they are supposed to produce.
I wonder the same thing sometimes. I typically use the neck for slower, more ringing single-note lines, not for faster melodies or driving chords. I think that as with most guitar equipment, if you use something in the "wrong" way (quotes because it's all subjective, so there's technically no wrong) you might end up saying it's bad even if it's doing its job admirably.

Then again, I don't have tons of experience with a lot of guitars, so it could be I just don't have the perspective, but I find stock neck pickups to usually be kind of nice for certain parts.

[stingx]

That's a great looking top on that guitar. Congrats and enjoy it!

[ZMAN]

Sorry Guys but I have been having trouble logging on to the Fret. It keeps asking me to log on every time I move from one screen to another. I will do some pictures when I get home on Thursday. I guess it doesn't like the fact that I am on my daughters computer.
I haven't had a lot of time to play since i am on vacation.
What I have found with my Gibsons with the chambered bodies is that they usually sound much brighter on the neck pickup, than the more solid body Les Pauls. That is one of the things I like most about the chambered guitars, other than the very light weight for an LP. This one says it is 8 lbs and it feels even lighter.
I forgot to mention that the guitar came very well packed. It was inside the case with a foam bag that covered the entire guitar and the neck and headstock were wrapped with the foam so that there would be no movement at all in the case and good vibration absorption.
I will have some time today to test it out.

[ZMAN]

I am home now from Maine and I plugged my new Agile into my Vibro Champ, and all I can say it wow. I thought it might need a set up but through a decent amp it sounds amazing. I will get some pic up ASAP. I can see what all the fuss was about. They are quite exceptional guitars.

[Spudman]

What's that like when you roll off the volumes? Does it stay bright and crisp or do the highs roll off. BTW this sounds like a really sweet LP style guitar. I think my Agile weights 12 pounds.

[Eric]

I find this thread to be interesting just because of the difference in how the guitar is perceived by switching from a Spider IV to a Vibro Champ.

[ZMAN]

I find this thread to be interesting just because of the difference in how the guitar is perceived by switching from a Spider IV to a Vibro Champ.
Eric This is my opinion, but I did not like the Spider IV 15 at all. The tone was terrible. I took some time out from unpacking to give it a quick few minutes, on my Vibro Champ. It sounded really sweet and it was like night and day.
I will have more time tomorrow and will give it a good work out. But to say the least you couldn't give me the Spider IV.
Spudman I will check the volume and get back to you.
Update"
I finally got to play it upright with a strap and guess what. It is slightly neck heavy.
I compared it to my Gibson Classic GT with the chambered body and the body is slightly heavier on the Gibson and the neck slightly lighter.
It is the opposite with the Agile. I tried my wide leather strap on it and it works perfectly.
The volume controls are very nice and it has an excellent ring to it. I have never owned a quitar with a Graph tec Black tusk nut and the Graph Tec ResoMax NVS2 bridge with the Graphite string saver saddles. I looked them up and they are 14 dollars for the nut and 99 bucks for the bridge if bought separately from Graph tec. They really seem to add a lot to the tone and resonance of the strings.
The D'addario strings help as well. They feel like heavy 10s to me.
The neck heaviness may be an issue for some but the over all weight is perfect for an LP.
It really holds up well to my Gibson, and the price difference of 1550 dollars makes it very desirable.
I haven't opened up the cavity to see what the controls look like but the guitar is very responsive to tone and volume adjustments and I have no complaints there.
I raised the neck pickup a touch and that cleaned it up considerably. So far I am really impressed.

[Eric]

Eric This is my opinion, but I did not like the Spider IV 15 at all. The tone was terrible. I took some time out from unpacking to give it a quick few minutes, on my Vibro Champ. It sounded really sweet and it was like night and day.
Oh right -- I realize that, and I wasn't accusing you. It's just curious to me how much an amp can influence one's opinion of a guitar, and it's doubly interesting that these two amps are probably considered contemporaries by some.

[ZMAN]

Yes I ws under the impression that that amp was a decent amp. I had it for a couple of days. I downloaded an manual so I could tweak it but I didn't have much luck. The little Vibro Champ XD is so easy to use and has amazing tone. I play all of my guitars through it, so when I plugged the Agile in I knew what to expect, and it came through with flying colors.
When I am comparing it to 2000 dollar Gibbies and even my #1 guitar my SG, it sounded amazing. The action is really well done right out of the box.
Truthfully when I turned on the Vibro Champ for the first time I actually thought I had left my Marshall on, and had to double check where my cord was plugged in. The Line 6 couldn't even approach that.
It was kind of funny how I was a little down on the guitar when I heard it through the Line 6, so you are correct the amp did make a huge difference in my appraisal of the guitar. It is all about the sound!

[FrankenFretter]

Eric This is my opinion, but I did not like the Spider IV 15 at all. The tone was terrible. I took some time out from unpacking to give it a quick few minutes, on my Vibro Champ. It sounded really sweet and it was like night and day.
I will have more time tomorrow and will give it a good work out. But to say the least you couldn't give me the Spider IV.
Spudman I will check the volume and get back to you.
Update"
I finally got to play it upright with a strap and guess what. It is slightly neck heavy.
I compared it to my Gibson Classic GT with the chambered body and the body is slightly heavier on the Gibson and the neck slightly lighter.
It is the opposite with the Agile. I tried my wide leather strap on it and it works perfectly.
The volume controls are very nice and it has an excellent ring to it. I have never owned a quitar with a Graph tec Black tusk nut and the Graph Tec ResoMax NVS2 bridge with the Graphite string saver saddles. I looked them up and they are 14 dollars for the nut and 99 bucks for the bridge if bought separately from Graph tec. They really seem to add a lot to the tone and resonance of the strings.
The D'addario strings help as well. They feel like heavy 10s to me.
The neck heaviness may be an issue for some but the over all weight is perfect for an LP.
It really holds up well to my Gibson, and the price difference of 1550 dollars makes it very desirable.
I haven't opened up the cavity to see what the controls look like but the guitar is very responsive to tone and volume adjustments and I have no complaints there.
I raised the neck pickup a touch and that cleaned it up considerably. So far I am really impressed.

In there you'll find the ubiquitous full-sized Alpha pots and those lovely chicklet caps. The pots are fine, I've never had any issues with any of mine. The chicklet cap, I'd replace. I believe Kurt specs .047 caps in those for some reason. If you like the tone though, maybe just roll with it.

[ZMAN]

Finally got the pictures done.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040151-1.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040155.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040156.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040154.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040162.jpg
Anf finally one of the Black Tusk Nut.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/P8040160.jpg

[progrmr]

Oh yea man - that's NICE looking!

[ZMAN]

Oh yea man - that's NICE looking!
Yes, thanks for that.
One other thing about this guitar is that it is Loud. It must be the pickups. I had to turn down the volume on my amps.
I meausred the pickups and they are 7.69, and 8.50. Neck and bridge. PAF territory for sure.
The tone controls are quite responsive as well. I am pretty sure it will stay as it is.
BTW. I also purchased the Douglas brown case that Rondo sells. I am not that happy with the fit of the guitar.
The Agile fits perfectly in my Gibson case. It does not move at all and the dimensions must be identical to the Gibson LP.
So I am wondering why the Agile has some movement top bottom in the Douglas Case. I thought the Agiles must be larger but mine is not.
So my next question to other Agile owners is when you put the guitar into the case can you slide the guitar up and down inside the case? I am only asking because there might be a possibility that the solid non lightweight guitars are slightly larger in the body.

[Lev]

That's one gorgeous Axe, I love the binding. Congrats Dude!

[Duffy]

Those are some beautiful pictures that show the saddles and other things you have mentioned. Beautiful amber flamed maple.

[ZMAN]

Those are some beautiful pictures that show the saddles and other things you have mentioned. Beautiful amber flamed maple.
Thanks to you Duffy I am a very happy camper with this guitar, you kept telling me I would regret not buying it and you would have been correct. The more I play it the more I am just blown away by how nice it plays. I was a little worried about the neck heavyness but I realized after that I had on a Sta-dri nylon shirt, and a Nylon strap. I am surprised it didn't fall off all together.
I almost talked myself out of buying it. Glad I didn't.

[ZMAN]

That's one gorgeous Axe, I love the binding. Congrats Dude!
I was looking at a lemon drop from Vintage Guitars, and the local supplier had it on for 599 Can. PLus 13% tax. It looked really similar to this one. The Agile was 449 US no tax. There are many upgrades. The set up was just about perfect right out of the box. The only thing I had to do was raise the neck pickup a little.
It even came with my favourite strings!

[riverrick]

Congrats on your Agile. Definitley a beauty. Your're giving me a bit of gas!!!

[Eric]

That's one pretty guitar, ZMAN! Congrats -- I'm glad that you're happy with it.

[Tig]

Beautiful Agile, ZMAN! I'm impressed by how it is so enjoyable for you to play.

If I had that guitar, it would be like the ugly dude with a hot chick on his arm... "That guitar is too good for him. He much be rich."

[Spudman]

Is that one of hollow Agile 3125s that just got recalled?






:D Kidding. Nice guitar.

[ZMAN]

Beautiful Agile, ZMAN! I'm impressed by how it is so enjoyable for you to play.

If I had that guitar, it would be like the ugly dude with a hot chick on his arm... "That guitar is too good for him. He much be rich."
I always look at it this way. "They say money can't buy you love, but it sure can put you in a good bargaining position".
Not often you get such good looks and playability in the same package.

[ZMAN]

Is that one of hollow Agile 3125s that just got recalled?






:D Kidding. Nice guitar.
Yes, I got the recall notice from Kurt today. It is going back.



NOT!

[ZMAN]

A quick question for you Agile owners. Do all of them have these large strap buttons. It is pretty hard to get the leather straps on an off. It certainly won't fall of for sure. Don't need a strap lock with these ones!

[Katastrophe]

WOW! That's a beautiful guitar, Z. Congrats!

[FrankenFretter]

Very nice grain on the back, and a beautiful top! I do find that my Agiles aren't super snug in the Dougie cases. Good enough for my purposes, though. I couldn't tell you about the strap buttons, since they come off almost immediately to be replaced by Marvel strap locks.

[Eric]

ZMAN, from what I've seen all Agile strap buttons are huge. I used a leather strap with those buttons for a long time with no problems, though I have replaced them with strap locks at this point. Still, I think they're very solid strap buttons if you don't feel like swapping them out.

[ZMAN]

Thanks Eric, I would rather they were hard to get on and off. Most of my guitars either have locks or the smaller strap buttons. I have never seen anything like these. I will probably leave them anyway. The strap I have is pretty new and I only had it on one guitar so the openings are still pretty stiff.

[bcdon]

Great looking guitar! The only thing that would make it look better is to replace the truss cover with something like Syo did with his Hell guitars. Congrats!! :dude

[ZMAN]

Great looking guitar! The only thing that would make it look better is to replace the truss cover with something like Syo did with his Hell guitars. Congrats!! :dude
It would have to be a custom piece. They only have one screw at the top.

[duhvoodooman]

Sweet flame on that top, Zman! :thumbsup

[ZMAN]

Sweet flame on that top, Zman! :thumbsup
Thanks. I am still amazed by how nice this guitar is. The light weight body is such a dream to play. Very much like my Gibson Classic and my Studio fireburst. For a lot less money.