Agile or Epiphone?

FrankenFretter*** · July 23rd, 2009, 01:30 PM

As soon as I sell my Vox AD30, I'm ready to drop the hammer on a Les Paul/Les Paul clone. My original goal was the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top, but I've been hearing good things about the Agiles. I already have two SXs and a Douglas, so I'm no strange to Rondo Music. I know there are several of you Fretters out there that own Agiles, and I know there must be more than a few that have Epis. I'd appreciate some advice and thoughts. My main concern is getting the Les Paul sound and feel, but I also love the cherry sunburst finish (or Heritage Cherry burst, as Epi calls it). Something that weighs a little less probably wouldn't hurt my feeling any. Ready...Go!

Spudman*** · July 23rd, 2009, 02:27 PM

I have an Agile 2500 that is pretty nice but as you say something lighter would be great. This is one of the features of the Anthem guitars I mentioned on this thread. The PST20 has a chambered body with maple top and 2 custom designed pickups specifically for that model. They sound real good, plus the bonus is that in the new batch coming in August coil tapping will be standard on the PST. It's a much lighter guitar than the Agile and is as good in the quality department IMHO.

**just strum** · July 23rd, 2009, 03:07 PM

I know nothing about Agile, but I am an Epiphone fan. However, I am not an LP fan, so I have never tried one made by any manufacturer. I do know a lot of people that love their Epi LP's (I believe Child Bride has a chambered Epi LP).

I've heard mixed things about the guitars coming out of Rondo that personally I wouldn't risk my money, but there are a hell of a lot of people that would challenge me on that and they probably have good first hand experience.

Since Epi's are so plentiful in most music stores, I would be inclined to buy one at a local shop rather than waiting for the UPS guy to deliver before you know what you bought.

IMHO of course.

Robert**** · July 23rd, 2009, 03:26 PM

Or just be smart and get a Hagstrom.

**just strum** · July 23rd, 2009, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Robert

Or just be smart and get a Hagstrom.

I can go along with that thought.

http://www.hagstromguitars.com/Select_Swede.html

**oldguy** · July 23rd, 2009, 03:45 PM

I bought an Agile 3000 used, loaded with WCR crossroads pickups, and I love it. I'd say the quality equals the Epi's, and on a guitar-to-guitar basis, they're about equal. One word of caution, though, the Agile LP isn't light. They weigh in around 10.5 lbs.

Tig*** · July 23rd, 2009, 04:22 PM

For my budget, Epi's are one of the choices. I read mixed reviews on their recent quality problems, though. I like the LP Ultra II to most.

However, I think I'd rather save up a little longer and get something special, yet great quality, like a Fret-King for my double HB guitar. Their Blue Label Eclat Standard fits the bill, but still pricey.
The 'Vari-coil™’ control allows a continuously variable blend of humbucker to single coil.

Robert**** · July 23rd, 2009, 04:28 PM

Don't forget about Reverend Guitars either! Affordable, and really good quality.

**just strum** · July 23rd, 2009, 04:37 PM

Another one you might want to give thought to or at least take for a test drive is the Ibanez Artist series.

ART 100 in transparent cherry ($300)

http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-ART100

or

ARX 320 ($450)

http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-ARX320

http://www.ibanez.com/product.aspx

I had an ARC300 that kicked butt and I miss it to this day.

Light guitars, play fast, sound great.

**Kazz** · July 23rd, 2009, 05:41 PM

too bad we didnt come down this path a few weeks back....we could have worked a deal for my les paul in trade for your vox amp.

**sumitomo** · July 23rd, 2009, 05:50 PM

Now that you have all this info,you can write it on small strips of paper,then put the strips of paper in a box or hat shake pick one out and there you go,that's the one you should do! Sumi

**just strum** · July 23rd, 2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by sumitomo

Now that you have all this info,you can write it on small strips of paper,then put the strips of paper in a box or hat shake pick one out and there you go,that's the one you should do! Sumi

Yep, we are good at giving opinion and adding more options.

FrankenFretter, want another opinion - buy two!!!

**ZMAN** · July 23rd, 2009, 06:21 PM

I have not owned an Agile but I have owned 2 Epiphone Les Pauls in Heritage Cherry burst. The first one was a Korean Custom plus and was an amazing guitar. I traded it on a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Strat and I wished I had kept it. Then about a year later I purchased an Epi Elitist Custom in wine red. Now this is a fabulous guitar. If you can get an Elitist in HC burst I would jump all over it. There is nothing closer to a Gibson LP. I still had a longing for a HC burst Epi and I bought a Chinese Model. This was when they first moved from Korea to China and I was impressed by this guitar. Of course I had to go through about 8 to find one that didn't have issues.
I then went on a binge to buy Gibson LPs and after I purchase 3 I felt that the Epi was overkill and I traded it for a couple of Fender Squier Deluxes.
It was a great playing and sounding guitar. The pickups were very close to my gibson and had the exact DC resistance to my Studio with the 490 498 pickups.
Fit and finsh were excellent and the neck was really nice after a set up. Not quite a 60s profile but not as fat as a 50s.
So I would look for a Korean Custom Plus, or a Japanese Elitist. If you can't find one of those then go for the Epi Standard. You will not be disappointed.

**just strum** · July 23rd, 2009, 06:27 PM

The Elitist line, whether it's an LP, Casino (I believe the only one still in production), or any of the others are a great find and if the price is right, I would highly recommend buying one.

It is the opinion of many that the Elitist series is slowly being discontinued because many people were choosing them over Gibson. How true that is, I am not sure, but I have NEVER heard a complaint about an Elitist.

FrankenFretter*** · July 23rd, 2009, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Spudman

I have an Agile 2500 that is pretty nice but as you say something lighter would be great. This is one of the features of the Anthem guitars I mentioned on this thread. The PST20 has a chambered body with maple top and 2 custom designed pickups specifically for that model. They sound real good, plus the bonus is that in the new batch coming in August coil tapping will be standard on the PST. It's a much lighter guitar than the Agile and is as good in the quality department IMHO.

I read your Anthem thread recently, and I was intrigued. Pretty close in price to the others I've been looking at. Not quite the finish choices I'm looking for, but I could live with something else. I'll bear them in mind.

FrankenFretter*** · July 23rd, 2009, 08:14 PM

This has all been helpful. I haven't seen any Elitists for sale, but I haven't checked Ebay yet. Reverend and Anthem are now also contenders, I suppose. Keep the advice coming, Fretters! Thanks!

Spudman*** · July 23rd, 2009, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by FrankenFretter

I read your Anthem thread recently, and I was intrigued. Pretty close in price to the others I've been looking at. Not quite the finish choices I'm looking for, but I could live with something else. I'll bear them in mind.

New finishes are coming in August

**sumitomo** · July 23rd, 2009, 08:39 PM

Check out craigslist here in Bend there is a Epi LP custom in alpine white for 600.00.There has been some great axes for sale on craigslist here in Bend lately.Sumi

FrankenFretter*** · July 24th, 2009, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by sumitomo

Check out craigslist here in Bend there is a Epi LP custom in alpine white for 600.00.There has been some great axes for sale on craigslist here in Bend lately.Sumi

I'll do that, Sumi. Not a big fan of white, but I'll see what all is available there. A good excuse for a brewery tour, um...I mean road trip.

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