Agile or Epiphone?

[FrankenFretter***]

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***]

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]

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.

[FrankenFretter***]

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***]

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***]

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

[Robert****]

Or just be smart and get a Hagstrom.

[just strum]

Or just be smart and get a Hagstrom.

I can go along with that thought.

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

[oldguy]

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***]

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.

[just strum]

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.

[Robert****]

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

[Tig***]

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

I'm very happy with my recent Reverend purchase. The quality is above the price range, which always gets my attantion, and the neck is like buttah!
The bass contour knob is what sold me on the Reverends. For humbuckers, it acts like a coil tap when rolled off, but can be mixed for tone tweaking.

[bigG]

I haven't played any of the other axes mentioned (unless I missed some), but I love my Epi LP Standard Plaintop. Epi is alright! I think they're doing an outstanding job of value for $ paid.

If you want a Gibby LP but can't spend the bucks, an Epi is the way to go, IMHO...:

[wingsdad]

If ever you may want to sell or trade it, especially if you try to trade-in, you'll have better resale value, as a % of what you paid for it, with an Epiphone than an Agile.

[FrankenFretter***]

So far, Epi is winning this "debate". It's the original one I was interested in, not having the kind of cashflow to purchase an actual Gibson. Leaning more in that direction now, although the others may still be in the running. I still want a goldtop with P-90s somewhere down the line, and one of the clones may be acceptable for that.

Ebay has some fairly good deals on Epis right now, including some older Korean models. I am going to do more research on the Reverends and the Anthems. Whatever I buy, I'll probably replace the p/u's with some zebra Alnicos. I just love the look of the zebras in the cherry burst, and I love the sound of the Alnicos.

Has anyone owned an Epi LP that they didn't like?

[Kazz]

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]

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]

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!!!