Agile LP copy vs. Kit guitar... Thoughts?

[Katastrophe]

Okay guys, here's the scenario...

I'm going to be selling off some unwanted items around the house in order to purchase another guitar. Here are my options:

1. Agile AL3000 Natural Spalted LP clone: The link is here: http://www.rondomusic.net/product514.html . What a good looking guitar! I've read the Agile related posts here and have seen numerous positive reviews of this guitar on the 'net. The price is right for the features offered, and from what I've read, it looks like a good buy.

2. Carvin Bolt Guitar Kit (sorta kinda Strat type clone): Roughly the same price as the Agile (with the options I want), and I've seen some beautiful examples around the 'net. Assembly is no problem, and my Dad is hyped about the idea of helping with the finish (he used to have a furniture stripping/refinishing business, and knows how to work with wood stains and different matte and gloss finishes). Found at www.carvin.com under "Guitar Kits."

3. Frankencaster parts guitar built off of the 'Bay. Assembly costs should be about the same, I think.

4. Squier Strat,Tele or '51: Cheaper than options 1-3, and I can add/mod parts at will with the savings (new tuners if needed and/or different pups).

The guitar will be dedicated for country music. I have a lot of sentimental value in my other guitars (Ibanez was bought for me by my Grandmother, Charvel was the first guitar I bought on my own, the ESP my first Custom guitar), and just can't seem to get rid of them. They are all from my metal days, and while they all still sound and play great, they all don't cut the mustard as far as clean tones go, as the pups are just too high output and come out a little dirty.

So, what do you think? I'm very intersted in hearing everyone's opinion...

Also, we're auditioning drummers on Friday. We'll have a full line up by then, and I've got a gig waiting as soon as we're ready!

[marnold***]

I've heard great things about the Agile, but I have no experience with it. If I were looking for an LP clone I'd definitely take a look at their Black Beauty. I've looked at Carvin kits too. I think that has the same appeal as my plan to mod/upgrade my Charvel Model 7. I guess it really depends on how much time you want to spend with assembly, staining/painting, etc. instead of playing My reasons are similar to yours too in that I wanted some cool single-coil blues tones that I just can get from my single humbucker Fender.

[Katastrophe]

The hard part is that I don't have examples of each to play (with the exception of the Squiers), to see if I'm gonna like 'em!

[Tone2TheBone]

What I'm wondering about the Agiles are the maple set in necks. Would they make the body feel too heavy? I wouldn't spend too much more for the mahagony neck models though, I'd just as soon get an Epi or something if I was going to pay more. Other than that I wouldn't mind having a really nice tiger maple top Agile LP.

[Katastrophe]

I dunno... My ESP and Charvel are both on the heavy side (the ESP has an all maple body, I believe), but I don't notice anymore, unless I strap on the Ibanez. All of the solid body LPs/clones I've played have been tanks, with the exception of the Studio models... Heavy guitars are comforting though. They make a good shield to hide behind if you miss a note!

The 3000 series looks to have a nice, thick maple cap on top, which would be good for brighter tones...

This is a good dilemma to have!

[Tone2TheBone]

Hey K,

You're right. Always nice to have a problem like yours.

Get the one that slaps you in the face as far as looks and features. Thats the right guitar for you.

[Spudman***]

I own an Agile AL2000 with P90's. I love it and will probably always keep it. I got it new from Rondo Music and have had no problems with it. It came with Grover tuners. I hang it on the wall next to my Epiphone LP with humbuckers. They both have the cherry flame sunburst finish. Very identical guitars except for...the binding is better and more of it on the Agile. The Agile is heavier so get a wide strap. The Epiphone has a little better resonance but it is 10 years older. The jack plate on the Agile is plastic onthe Epi it is metal. The fretboard markers on the Agile look 10 times better. Otherwise, close to the same.

There is some info for ya. All in all the Agile is a great guitar for the money and as of 1-1-2006 Rondo Music is letting some go for around $200 plus shipping. Pretty good deal. The humbucking versions might be better for country. I don't think the P90 that I have does country very well.

[Bloozcat]

Of those that you've mentioned, I'd definitely go with the Agile.

I own a '51 and love it and I've played the Carvin Bolts and found them to be very solid guitars. Parts and pieces is parts and pieces. You may get lucky and all of the parts you pick up may all go together and make a decent guitar, but it's still a Frankenstein.

The Agile on the other hand, has a mahogany body, a set mahogany neck, upgraded electronics (including pickups), good tuners, and a beautiful maple top. An AL3000 Agile out of the box will smoke the other choices you've mentioned in terms of beauty, function, and overall quality.

I'm not trying to put down the other choices, but IMHO the Agile is just at a level above the others.

[Katastrophe]

Great info, Blooz... After getting on the Agile forums and lurking a bit, I found a good amount of info on Agiles, and I'm leaning heavily in that direction!

[r_a_smith3530]

Kat, add me to the list of those who would choose the Agile, only I'd be playin' 'Da Blues on that. Hope you enjoy whichever one you do decide on.

[Tone2TheBone]

I smell an Agile with my name on it............*snifffffffff*

[Katastrophe]

I smell an Agile with my name on it............*snifffffffff*

THAT'S what that smell was! I thought it might be Warren making naked pancakes again...er...uh...sumpin' like that.

[Katastrophe]

Hey all, I sent an email to Rondo just now asking if they'll have any AL2800s in either natural flame or black w/ gold hardware anytime soon! I also pimped the site, and advised that they may wanna take a look at our little area of the world sometime soon...

[Tone2TheBone]

The Natural flame model has me by the *ahem*.......almost as bad as 'lil momo girl.

[Katastrophe]

It sure is a good lookin' guitar, ain't it? You know, the more I look at the Agiles, the more that stubby horn and headstock grows on me...

I got an email response from Kurt at Rondo. No plans on the AL2800 in Natural or Black w/ gold hardware, but he is getting those finishes in AL3000 trim in sometime in May. SWEET! Time to start saving pennies!

[hindmarsh]

I got an email response from Kurt at Rondo. No plans on the AL2800 in Natural or Black w/ gold hardware, but he is getting those finishes in AL3000 trim in sometime in May. SWEET! Time to start saving pennies!

Did you ever get that AL-3000? If so, I'm very interested in your thoughts after having played it for a while.

[Brian Krashpad]

What I'm wondering about the Agiles are the maple set in necks. Would they make the body feel too heavy? I wouldn't spend too much more for the mahagony neck models though, I'd just as soon get an Epi or something if I was going to pay more. Other than that I wouldn't mind having a really nice tiger maple top Agile LP.

I haven't noticed any big differences with my Agile SG (Valkyrie II) having a maple neck instead of mahogany. Reportedly maple makes for a more stable neck anyhow. Also I'd note that some actual Les Pauls were made with maple necks in the Norlin era of Gibson. While the purists decried this departure from tradition I have never heard that the maple necks were problematic in any way.

Had the OP not said this guitar was going to be for country I might have sided with the Agile, but I'm a traditionalist and will disagree with Spudman and say that single coils are better for country than humbuckers. Of the non-Agiles I'd go for the Carvin Bolt as the most versatile and reliable option with a single in the bridge.

Which is kinda funny as I'm an Agile owner and have never been particularly big on Carvins.

Fwiw, ymmv.

[t_ross33]

...I'm a traditionalist and will disagree with Spudman and say that single coils are better for country than humbuckers.

I agree, as far as "traditional" country goes (that's why I HAD to have a Tele ) , but while many lament the state of the genre these days, it IS closer now to country rock/southern rock/pop and as such a thicker, heavier tone is often called for. You can't push with a rope, you need the right tool for the job.

Heck, check out this video from the 70's of Don Rich with a LES PAUL WTF? But it still sounds great



As soon as I nail down my Strat I'm gunning for something LP-ish and Agile is on my radar. :

Trev

[sunvalleylaw]

One of these days . . . that or a hollow/semi hollow. Something Gretsch or Hagstromish if I went that way. As the question is posed, an Agile all the way. I don't have the time for doing those kit projects well enough, and for the price, my time is worth more.