Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Thanks to all for the input :)

I dont need the guitar to be a perfect LP copy, if anything its better if it has its own twists and turns to it, like the SE 245 (the inlays, color, no pickguard, headstock) !

I'll look into those Michael Kelly's ! :D

I really like that last LP Korina !
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I think for the spend you are getting terrific value. I own a Hagstrom and an Epi too both of which have been modded. Hagstrom (I have the Viking Deluxe) IMHO make far superior hollow and semi hollow than what rondo has available with brands like their Agile line and I LOVE my old Epi hollow body Emperor that I modded with SD pups and such. As we all have our own tonal preferences I wound up swapping out the stock pups on all these guitars because I found them all to be muddy or muddy/boomy....but I digress....

the Agile (I have the 3100) is a really pretty guitar and where I see tremendous value even for the price point is when I hold it up against (for example) an Epi side by side. The finish on the Agile blows away the Epi which I think especially of late their finishing has gotten very very sloppy.

Comparing it to a $2K guitar is stupid but apples to apples from a price point perspective, even after putting in higher end electronics, this guitar is a great value
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I've got a 3100 that I really enjoy. They stopped using oddball sized hardware and now most of them come with quality gotoh bridges and stop tails. I did a pickups swap (with "vintage" output pickups) on mine and it sounds great. Given it doesn't compare to my Carvin CS-4, but for $400 it is a solid guitar and has even seen a gig or two. It's not a Gibson, nope, and it's not a 2k+ guitar... however, mine is better then the vast majority of epi's I have played... I recommend them when compared to others in their price range.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

my Agile gas has definitely passed, i was truly amazed at how many things it has to offer for that great price.

I think im gonna save up, and shell out more for a Gretsch, but im sure Agile's arent bad axes.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Agreed. It's actually been a terrific learning experience for me from a few perspectives primarily learning the nuances of the tones and equipment as they relate to the instrument and my ability to get various sounds and vibes that I had in my head or heart but could then manifest through the guitar.

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..............................man....................I just read my post and it sounds like I have taken afew too many bong hits this week! :friday:
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

This is what I believe when it comes to comparing budget guitars both with each other and with more expensive models. Go directly to the written specks of the product you are interested in. Read them and become informed in the same way that you would research the specs of an automobile, computer or television you are interested in. Guitars are no exception. Here's a case in point.

I own a Gibson Les Paul Studio ($1320) and an Agile 3100 ($450). The Agile has flamed maple top, full binding, including double bound body, genuine ebony fret board and real mother of pearl inlays. My Studio has none of that. So, what is it about my Studio that makes it worth almost 3X's the bucks. These are the justifications you will hear when you ask for opinions about that.

BETTER WORKMANSHIP - In fact the days when a solid body electric guitars quality was reliant on the hands of the maker are long gone. CNC machining has standardized the making of solid body guitars to the point that any actual production differences between guitars made in the U.S. Gibson and Fender plants and the budget guitars made by companies like Cort, Samick and in this case Agile are virtually non existent.

BETTER WOOD - The bottom line on this is that all of the big guitar makers buy their wood all over the world from the same suppliers based on best price at the time and none of them including Gibson and Fender make any claim of wood grading on their production models. People who believe that paying more for a production guitar automatically gets them a higher grade of wood are practicing wishful thinking and nothing more.

BETTER HARDWARE AND ELECTRONICS - My take on this one is sometimes yes and sometimes no. Again, rely on the specs. If the budget model has Grover tuners, graphite nut, Gotoh bridge and tail piece and full sized pots you're looking at comparable materials used on the higher priced models. But, even if the hardware and electronics are junk it's fairly meaningless when comparing budget to expensive guitars since the whole mess can be replaced for +- $150.

BETTER PICK UPS - Responding to this one is almost like preaching to the quire but I'll say once again what has been said uncountable times and everyone already knows. If I can save over $700 after upgrading my Agile and end up with a guitar that will then have far better specs than my Studio why on earth would I not do that?
 
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Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I think the only major one you've missed is the labour rate for the workers
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I have an AL-3200 (mahog body, 5-pc. maple/walnut heel-contoured neck-through, Tone-Pros bridge, GraphTec nut and string saddles), and I'm quite satisfied. It's a great guitar, and it sounds like me.
I can see the point in "saving up" for a Gibby if it's one of the vintage hand-made models. We all need something to which we can aspire. However, I'm not a gear snob; I'm just glad I have something decent to play.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

This is what I believe when it comes to comparing budget guitars both with each other and with more expensive models. Go directly to the written specks of the product you are interested in. Read them and become informed in the same way that you would research the specs of an automobile, computer or television you are interested in. Guitars are no exception. Here's a case in point.

I own a Gibson Les Paul Studio ($1320) and an Agile 3100 ($450). The Agile has flamed maple top, full binding, including double bound body, genuine ebony fret board and real mother of pearl inlays. My Studio has none of that. So, what is it about my Studio that makes it worth almost 3X's the bucks. These are the justifications you will hear when you ask for opinions about that.

BETTER WORKMANSHIP - In fact the days when a solid body electric guitars quality was reliant on the hands of the maker are long gone. CNC machining has standardized the making of solid body guitars to the point that any actual production differences between guitars made in the U.S. Gibson and Fender plants and the budget guitars made by companies like Cort, Samick and in this case Agile are virtually non existent.

BETTER WOOD - The bottom line on this is that all of the big guitar makers buy their wood all over the world from the same suppliers based on best price at the time and none of them including Gibson and Fender make any claim of wood grading on their production models. People who believe that paying more for a production guitar automatically gets them a higher grade of wood are practicing wishful thinking and nothing more.

BETTER HARDWARE AND ELECTRONICS - My take on this one is sometimes yes and sometimes no. Again, rely on the specs. If the budget model has Grover tuners, graphite nut, Gotoh bridge and tail piece and full sized pots you're looking at comparable materials used on the higher priced models. But, even if the hardware and electronics are junk it's fairly meaningless when comparing budget to expensive guitars since the whole mess can be replaced for +- $150.

BETTER PICK UPS - Responding to this one is almost like preaching to the quire but I'll say once again what has been said uncountable times and everyone already knows. If I can save over $700 after upgrading my Agile and end up with a guitar that will then have far better specs than my Studio why on earth would I not do that?
Click to expand...

All true, i wouldnt mind an Agile with a bunch of upgrades. Pickups are a guaranteed. Cool thing they offer is a Semi-Custom guitar, you choose finish, scale lenghts, fretboard, pickups (including Blackouts and EMG), ect which is rad !
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

ginormous said:
I have an AL-3200 (mahog body, 5-pc. maple/walnut heel-contoured neck-through, Tone-Pros bridge, GraphTec nut and string saddles), and I'm quite satisfied. It's a great guitar, and it sounds like me.
I can see the point in "saving up" for a Gibby if it's one of the vintage hand-made models. We all need something to which we can aspire. However, I'm not a gear snob; I'm just glad I have something decent to play.
Click to expand...

Im not someone who must have an american, custom made, super expensive guitar, seeing as i considered Agile's thats obvious. I play a Mexi Strat which is awesome.

Agile's do seem like a cool option, only bad thing is i could never play them before buying.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I really like my Agile 3100. I swapped pickups, and did a little set up work casue I love low action, and its an awesome sounding and great playing guitar for the money.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

I thought I got much more guitar than what I paid with my Agile 3000M, but I bought mine when they were $369. Agile to Gibson is apples to oranges. I love it for what it is rather than trying to compare it to something it's not.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Yes definitely a setup and pickup swap, those guitars have amazing specs but im guessing stock pups wouldnt sound good compared to Duncans.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

StratFreak said:
Yes definitely a setup and pickup swap, those guitars have amazing specs but im guessing stock pups wouldnt sound good compared to Duncans.
Click to expand...

The stock Alinco 5s on the 3000 and above sound like 59s with a touch more mids.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

That's not too bad, what about the rest of the hardware ? Sturdy ? Cheap ? Good/Bad ?
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

If you're still thinking about the Michael Kelly Patriot allow me to add a little to that:
Here's my Patriot Limited (that's the name model, not actually limited or anything)

dsc00145qz7.jpg
dsc00146bz7.jpg


They literally are "too good to be true" guitars. Can't really talk about the pedigree of the woods but the Mahogany through the trans finish looks actual Mahogany, the tops are figured veneers over actual plain maple, the hardware are the standard Grover stuff, the finish shows no imperfections and they're pretty darn well made!!!

Also, contrary to most Asian guitars, these Rockfields are pretty decent pickups, I actually liked quite a bit the SWC in her although by now I've swapped the bridge pu for a Suhr Dough Aldrich, then again, you can't really compare a 50€ pickup to a 150€ one now can you?
 
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Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

KeeperOS said:
If you're still thinking about the Michael Kelly Patriot allow me to add a little to that:
Here's my Patriot Limited (that's the name model, not actually limited or anything)

dsc00145qz7.jpg
dsc00146bz7.jpg


They literally are "too good to be true" guitars. Can't really talk about the pedigree of the woods but the Mahogany through the trans finish looks actual Mahogany, the tops are figured veneers over actual plain maple, the hardware are the standard Grover stuff, the finish shows no imperfections and they're pretty darn well made!!!

Also, contrary to most Asian guitars, these Rockfields are pretty decent pickups, I actually liked quite a bit the SWC in her although by now I've swapped the bridge pu for a Suhr Dough Aldrich, then again, you can't really compare a 50€ pickup to a 150€ one now can you?
Click to expand...

Holy Hell :o that guitar is way too nice ! goddamn ! I love natural guitars, doesnt look good always like on some Kramer Assault, but that is just right on!

The site pics make it look crappy kinda, but your pics are nice. I love the little details it has, the knobs for example.

Jesus Christ, had to edit this post to add this, i just checked it out on LA Music online (in Canada :P not LA ahahhaha) these guitars are definitely way too awesome for the price.
Where are they made ?
 
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Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Have had my 3000 for over 2 year's.Right now it has PGb in neck and Antiquity in bridge/Tone-pro bridge/2 push-pull's[for when i was runnin hotter PUp's] and still love it. Will buy another would like to have 1 Hot /1 Vintage. And if your Lefty don't even waste your time tryin to find the option's you can with Agile stuff.
 
Re: Agile 3100's seem too good to be true

Hot bridge and vintage neck is awesome. how much does push pull knob installation cost ?
 
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