FF: I am a little confused with the pictures. At one point you mentioned voiding the warranty if you put a pick gaurd on the Epi. In some pictures, You show the Epi Sans gaurd, and some with, and vice versa. Is this trick photography or are you swapping them back and forth?
I will be more interested in the 3 way comparison between the Epi with the US pickups, the Standard and the Agile.
Try to use one setting on your amps and pedals for all three. It will really become apparent which is the nicest tone.