Agile or Epiphone?

[Spudman***]

iohanr
I have an Agile LP as well and the thing that keeps me from playing it at gigs is that it is so heavy. If Rondo ever does a lighter chambered LP then I'll be all over it. My LP is awesome too. It plays great and is well crafted.

[Guitar Gal]

If Rondo ever does a lighter chambered LP then I'll be all over it.

Spud,

Rondo does offer a chambered LP option: http://www.rondomusic.com/al2900csbf.html

IIRC there have been other color choices offered as well

GG

[duhvoodooman***]

I have an Agile LP as well and the thing that keeps me from playing it at gigs is that it is so heavy.... My LP is awesome too. It plays great and is well crafted.

Heavy guitars really don't bother me because (1) I'm a big guy, (2) I don't gig, and (3) I play sitting down probably 95% of the time. The reputation for being well-built, playing well & sounding great are what attracts me to the Agile LP's....as well as the very reasonable prices! I've got a serious lech on these days for one of these:

http://www.rondomusic.com/al3100boundblkgoldhw.html

[Tig***]

Spud,
Rondo does offer a chambered LP option: http://www.rondomusic.com/al2900csbf.html

Wow, in a pawn shop, I saw a flamed cherry burst Epiphone LP Standard the other day that looked just like that. The tag said $399, but they'd take $350. It was in excellent condition, and I was severely tempted.

If an recent Epi and an Agile were basically the same, at the same price, I'd opt for the Epi, in case I ever wanted to sell or trade it later. Also, some chambered LP's are a bit neck heavy.

[msteeln]

I sit to play everything, but would still go for the Agile chambered model. It has all the 3100 appointments, minus the abalone markers, is slightly cheaper, and I think chambered LPs have a might skronkier sound, more akin to an old classic. Too bad they don't come in nitro finishes.

[wingsdad]

Wow, in a pawn shop, I saw a flamed cherry burst Epiphone LP Standard the other day that looked just like that. The tag said $399, but they'd take $350. It was in excellent condition, and I was severely tempted. ...

It may not be worth quibbling over what year or where the Epi was made, but $350-$399 w/ case is about the right range for a Music Store re-selling a trade-in, as they likely 'invested' maybe 75% of that price tag in it. OTH, a Pawn Shop most likely will have 25%, or stretching it, at most 50% invested.

Lay $250 Cash on the counter at them. (They're likely to clear at least $50 , a nice margin). If no, bump your ante once to $275, then if need be, to $300. If still No, pick up the cash, thank them for the time, turn & walk out. Avoid using the term 'ripoff' to their face, and only mutter it silently as you head for the door. They may call you back...

FWIW: I can't recall a solid hog body LP of any brand that didn't weigh less than 9 lbs. It's the price you pay for such a beast.

[Eric***]

I've found that most Korean-made guitars are incredible values nowadays.

Completely agree on this one.

[Brian Krashpad]

As others have noted, you'll probably get better bang for buck with Agile, but better resale with Epi. I had an Epi SG (G400) and an Agile SG (Valkyrie II), and preferred the latter, mainly because it has P-90's, which is not an option on the Epi (which I sold). I've had other Epi's as well, the Flying V in my avatar and a very nice WildKat I currently still have.

Since others have noted options beyond Epi/Agile (Reverend, Hagstrom, etc.), don't forget used DeArmond M-Series setnecks. Here's an M-72 I used to have, a mahogany chambered guitar with a flat maple top:



The guitars in this series (except for the single-coil Bigsby models) have made-in-USA DeArmond Goldtone pickups which are slightly bright PAF-style humbuckers. Other guitars in the series are solid with arched maple caps.

They are generally around $300 USD used, sfaik.

[iohanr]

Completely agree on this one.

On the flip side... I have had a mixed-bag results with China and Indonesia guitars. My daughter's SX (China) has sharp fret ends. My Squier Deluxe Strat (Indonesia) is nice, but doesn't scream "great craftsmanship" like the Agile (Korea) does. My PRS SE Custom 22 (Korea) and Michael Kelly Vex NV (Korea) are also incredibly well-made.

[Brian Krashpad]

On the flip side... I have had a mixed-bag results with China and Indonesia guitars. My daughter's SX (China) has sharp fret ends. My Squier Deluxe Strat (Indonesia) is nice, but doesn't scream "great craftsmanship" like the Agile (Korea) does. My PRS SE Custom 22 (Korea) and Michael Kelly Vex NV (Korea) are also incredibly well-made.

Another vote for MIK guitars here. The DeArmond higher-series (setnecks) were all made in Korea, and all the Epi's I've had were MIK as well, as are Agiles.

Haven't played an SX or one of the newer Epis that are made in China. However, it shouldn't be assumed that a particular MIC guitar will be inferior to a given MIK guitar, even if that may generally be true. It all depends on how the importer specs the guitar on the front end, and it's QC on the back end. A case in point is my Fernandes Ravelle, which is MIC. Reportedly Fernandes began production in China, moved production to Korea for a year or two, but then moved back to China because it was actually getting better results there. So it all depends on the importer and the particular factory used.

This Ravelle can easily hang not only with my MIK's but also my USA's (it helps that the stock pups are Seymour Duncan):

[bek]

My MIK Epi LP is just a good solid guitar. It might help that it's a Limited Edition, gold sparkletop with a Bigsby; I think they spec the Limited Editions a little better. At least the sparkletop is amazing! Actually, when I was playing in a church band for about a year, I rotated among a few different guitars, most of them made in the USA, but that one got the most compliments, both tone and appearance!

[Duff]

I have two Epi LP standards, one a plus top; both with Seymour Duncan JBs in the bridge and one has a jazz in the neck and the other a better sounding 59 in the neck.

I have a Michael Kelly Patriot Custom that is awesome with direct mount Rockfield pups, great humbuckers. Paid about 600 plus minus for it. Cherry burst.

I have an Xavier XV500 solid mahogany body and set neck with three quarter inch solid maple cap in white with the GFS crunchy PAT pickups that break up just at the right time for a great LP sound and only 208 dollars. This guitar competes with the above guitars.

I have an Ibanez ART300 alligator hide maple top mahogany body active pup LP style guitar that is light and awesome. Playing it right now, taking a break, thru my Crate Palomino V32 212 at bedroom level, can you believe that! Sounds super great even at low vol with the twin Celestion seventy eighties in it. This ART300 is about 399 now and is an awesome, awesome guitar. Mine is the swampwater amber burst real swamp alligator like finish.
The pickups are crystal clear to highly driven. Super excellent build quality and beautiful neck and fretboard.

I want to get an Agile 3100 bound black like the Voodooman wants. 400 dollars. Supposed to sound super great with stock pups. I usually play laying down or sometimes sitting. I play myself to sleep and play in the dark and it helps develop your ear and eliminate eye to fret hand fixation, which you don't want to develop as a bad habit; you want to correct this bad habit if you have it; not to be bossy, ha ha, just some quick thrown in advice, learned by chance and shareable.

That Epi Tribute has locking tuners, a case, and a lot of other great features like coil tapping, for the money it looks like a great deal if you can afford it; but you could put locking tuners on an Agile easily and do without the coil tapping or further mod the pickups, but the stock pups are probably great.

At this particular time I'm debating upgrading to an ESP LTD EC1000 Deluxe in gloss black with gold hardware and EMG 81/60 pups, or an Ibanez SZ320 gold top I can get for 300 dollars brand new old stock.

The Ibanez is a sort of super stratish LPish toned mahogany guitar that sounds great stock. Three position toggle that splits the humbuckers into a fenderish single coil tone that is known to be quite useful by those who have the guitar, unlike the traditional three position toggle, the middle position is the single coil from each pickup position. Unique idea?

Epi or Agile? I would probably go for the Agile 3100 or 3000 right now if I had to choose. Probably a way better guitar from what the reviews infer. Epiphones are really neat to have because the Epiphone name to me is like Fender or Gibson or other big time names; it has name recogintion, so owning one is kind of neat, but I would get a good one. I have a great Epi '66 gibson copy SG as well that sounds fabulous stock in cherry transparent.

Who ever heard of an Agile that you know? Hear one and you will know what some of us are talking about. They sound great. So it's sort of like a comparison of name brand presence and the higher quality of a good Agile, as far as I can tell. But for the SG I would go Epi for sure because the Agiles don't seem to look exactly right, at all, but I'm getting used to it because ESP LTD Vipers look the same way and sound great with both the Seymour Duncans and EMGs in the Deluxe Viper 1000 models - two different sounds, both super great thru a Fender Supersonic with a Celestion Vintage 30 on the Burn setting.

[FrankenFretter***]

Like the Kim Mitchell song, "There's decisions to be made between lager and ale". Well, except for the fact that I don't really care for lager...

I ordered the Epi Tribute Les Paul in Cherryburst with the 60s neck. The same guitar that Duff just purchased, in fact. It should arrive here late this week, along with some headphones and a pedalboard.

I'll post pics along with initial impressions sometime after she arrives and I've had a chance to noodle around a bit.

[FrankenFretter***]

I bought the Epi Tribute Les Paul, and I love it. Sounds great, plays great, and it looks nice too. But...

I felt like I didn't give the Agile a fair shake. I saw the Tribute, and made up my mind without hesitation. After all was said and done, I kept seeing posts about the Agiles, and how fantastic they are. It made me think. And then Rondo's newsletter came, and lo and behold, there's a B-stock Agile AL3000. I jumped on it. Now I can settle things in fair fashion, and the winner gets to stay with me. And the loser too, probably. Almost certainly, really. Because what's better than one beautiful mahogany single-cut? Two, of course. Or three, or... well you get the picture.

The FedEx site says it's expected Saturday the 13th. Pictures and impressions will follow shortly after.

We now return you to your regular programming.

[Brian Krashpad]

Haha, you crazy man!

Well, now you have 2 LPs-- always good to have a backup.



Congrats.

[FrankenFretter***]

Haha, you crazy man!

Well, now you have 2 LPs-- always good to have a backup.



Congrats.

Yes, one should always have a "plan B". Thanks, Brian.

My name is Sean, and I'm a guitar addict.

[Tig***]

I jumped on it. Now I can settle things in fair fashion, and the winner gets to stay with me. And the loser too, probably. Almost certainly, really. Because what's better than one beautiful mahogany single-cut? Two, of course. Or three, or... well you get the picture.

You, Sir are my new hero!!!
Long live FrankenFretter!

[Duff]

I am thinking seriously of getting an Agile to accompany my Tribute. I will get at least a AL3000 at least.

Right now there are some real nice Agiles on the Rondo site that are very enticing.

I have been wanting to get a black LP style with gold trim, or the double bound black one.

I have my son's Epi LP Studio I hot rodded for him but he wants to get it back and start playing again, along with his basses and bass amps. I have my own LPs, basses and guitar and bass amps.

So a black LP Agile would be right on time here in the near future. Play it stock or mod the electronics and pickups. How good are those stock AL3000 and 3100 pickups? Are they anything like a Seymour Duncan set of JB in bridge and 59 in neck? I doubt it. Probably more vintage hot tone.

Tonight I have been playing my Ebanez Destroyer, lawsuit? and having fun with it. Great hot pickups, bolt on neck though but I got it used for like 125 with hardshell case in super great shape with a solid mahogany body, natural finish and no pickguard. Quite a nice explorer. Also have my Michael Kelly Patriot Custom out and ready to play tonight as well. I usually play myself to sleep and can stay up late tonight, don't have to work tomorrow. Might also pay my Squire, stock CV 50s sunburst with solid amber pearl pickguard and new Fender five way switch. Amazing at how some of these modifications just happen out of necessity. Why put a junk five way switch back into such a nice guitar, and the pickguard is awesome. Will try to take pictures tomorrow. This stock CV sounds great and plays super great, no wonder they have earned such a warm place in the hearts of many.

Everything is getting played thru my Peavey Tweed Delta Blues or my Crate V32 Palomino 212, both of which are set up right next to my bed and laptop. My fiance likes me to play her to sleep with some mellow jams.

My next targetted purchase is an old style JamMan looper.

[Eric***]

The FedEx site says it's expected Saturday the 13th. Pictures and impressions will follow shortly after.

Haven't heard much on the Agile since this update and a brief blurb in another thread. How is it? What are your impressions/preferences between the two of them, and how much coin did each cost you (i.e. price/performance ratio)?