AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

[MetalManiac]

I dig my Agile so much. I wouldn't trade it for the world! I have to say that I was able to do some extensive fret leveling on it, time after time, and finally got it playing right- fretwork out the factory is crap, for low low action the way I like it. and that I had to get the right pickups for it. Its a very heavy body, but that weight carries over to the fat thick sound. Love for the Agile, much love.;

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I've never played an Agile. The slight cutaway change and headstock really turns it off for me in the aesthetics department. I can't speak for anything else.

Then there's the Epiphone headstock which I find hideous on any Gibson-copy guitar. What also really bugs me is the Epiphone Les Paul Customs; those fretboards need to be ebony (ebony fretboards can easily be found on guitars in the same price range, or even lower) or at least dark/dyed rosewood.

I would be a lot more into Epiphones if their finishes weren't as thick (mostly due to feel, but that can be solved easily), they had a 'correct' looking headstock, had better and more consistent fretwork, and on the G400s if they had binding on the neck. I can easily get something the way I want price - to a little extra - if I were buy Gibson without having to do all the extra work. I can easily understand why others think differently though, and I'm just picky on how I want LPs and SGs to look.

I would prefer an Orville over an Epiphone though, especially if it is a Custom. It is easy enough to dye the fretboard to look like ebony, replace the electronics as usual here and then I'm fine with it. If it is an Edwards Les Paul Custom I'd just have to swap the electronics.

I do find this guitar attractive though, despite the amount of abalone on it. Possibly would darken the fretboard:

View attachment 45414

 

[bluesbend]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Love that rootbeer flametop on the Agile!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I've never played an Agile. The slight cutaway change and headstock really turns it off for me in the aesthetics department. I can't speak for anything else.

Then there's the Epiphone headstock which I find hideous on any Gibson-copy guitar. What also really bugs me is the Epiphone Les Paul Customs; those fretboards need to be ebony (ebony fretboards can easily be found on guitars in the same price range, or even lower) or at least dark/dyed rosewood.

I would be a lot more into Epiphones if their finishes weren't as thick (mostly due to feel, but that can be solved easily), they had a 'correct' looking headstock, had better and more consistent fretwork, and on the G400s if they had binding on the neck. I can easily get something the way I want price - to a little extra - if I were buy Gibson without having to do all the extra work. I can easily understand why others think differently though, and I'm just picky on how I want LPs and SGs to look.

I would prefer an Orville over an Epiphone though, especially if it is a Custom. It is easy enough to dye the fretboard to look like ebony, replace the electronics as usual here and then I'm fine with it. If it is an Edwards Les Paul Custom I'd just have to swap the electronics.

I do find this guitar attractive though, despite the amount of abalone on it. Possibly would darken the fretboard:

View attachment 45414

Interesting how you don't like the aesthetics of the cutout and headstock of the Agile and Epi because it is slightly different than a "correct" LP, but you do find the LTD "attractive", which just so happens to be hideously different from a true LP design. That horrible looking cutout (and headstock and inlays) is the main reason I would never buy an LTD LP copy...it is WAY too different from the design of a true LP.

 

[Aceman]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I guess you guys missed the LP Copy Ultimate Axe....

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

The cutaway of the agile offers the advantage of upper fret access. I'll take that over aesthetics. I dont find the agile headstock to be too much different than the LTD headstock imo. Same basic flag shape with the LTD being a bit more pointed.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

the headstock of one never gets my attention, with the exception of the older GFS models

this with the clean ebony board and blacked out hardware is so sexy to me I cant stand it
and of course I have a Blue Flame Fetish too

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Interesting how you don't like the aesthetics of the cutout and headstock of the Agile and Epi because it is slightly different than a "correct" LP, but you do find the LTD "attractive", which just so happens to be hideously different from a true LP design. That horrible looking cutout (and headstock and inlays) is the main reason I would never buy an LTD LP copy...it is WAY too different from the design of a true LP.

I'm not hellbent on it looking correct to the original guitar. I really should've said the word "awkward", since I find Agiles to look awkward with their cutout and headstock. It isn't so much of a purist thing. Even if I was a purist, if I for some reason find a non-traditional guitar attractive, I'm not going to lie to myself and say it is ugly. I really do think that LTD isn't a bad looking guitar.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Dyeing rosewood black doesn't make it sound like ebony.

 

[JeffB]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

The two agiles I have handled were nothing to write home about. But that does not mean the potential is not there. Headstock and cutaway do not bother me, but their binding and abaphoney inlays do. As well as the "not really jumbo, but we call em jumbo anyway" frets.

Epiphone has been putting out some great value instrumemts in recent years. Chinese plants have finally got into their stride. Though still using alot of suboptimal woods and hardware..though pickups have improved greatly.


.

 

[Aceman]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Dying rosewood black doesn't make it sound like ebony.

How does one do that?

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

How does one do that?

It's some kinda wood stain/dye.
Requires lotsa masking,tho,from what I understand(inlays/binding)...

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Dying rosewood black doesn't make it sound like ebony.

Obviously. Sometimes that could be considered a good thing though.

How does one do that?

Fiebings Black Leather Dye

 

[ginormous]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I'm with Unca Jer on this one. Some (not all) seem to look askance at Agiles; I must have scored a good one.
It's an AL-3200. Mahog body/maple top; 5-piece maple/walnut neck-through with the neck heel contour; ebony fretboard.
I'm satisfied with the fretwork. Rather smooth and bendy. They feel right to me, not like "fake jumbos".
I'm gonna save up for some Duncans, but otherwise everything else is pretty much solid.
They stock pups don't sound awful, but a set of SD's would give it some more definitive character.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

My understanding of Agile's is that you'll end up doing some fretwork/leveling on nearly all Al-2000's as the 3000's have already been hand leveled. That & the 3000's have ebony fretboards with GT tusq nuts. Only played one and it was a lefty Al-2000 series. Same gorgeous root beer finish as MetalManiac's but it was right out of the box and in desperate need of some fret work.

Kind of diggin' the fleur de lis deal on the newer headstocks. It needed something.

 

[ErikH]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I haven't played an Agile before but I don't think I could kick one of these to the curb. I'm a sucker for nice Goldtops.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Gotta love a goldtop!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

Over the years, Ive hear alot more good than bad about the agiles. most of the "needs work: has been on the lower models. I see they are making several models with stainless steel frets now.. as far as headstock, its not my fave, but it isnt a deal breaker. Im happy that my Burny has a correct shape hs, but I kinda feel guilty about it being a ripoff too. Albeit a fantastic one...

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

I had an AL-3100 and currently have an AL-2000. They both had fret issues. The 3100 had enough
Issues I ended up returning it. The 2000 has been a really nice playing guitar since I leveled the
Frets.

I don't think they get much of a setup at the factory and I'm pretty sure they don't get inspected
Before they leave Kurt's place, so I would expect them to need a good setup when they arrive.
The return policy is excellent, so not much of a risk involved in buying one from Rondo.

If you want great out of the box, pass on them, but if you have a good tech or are handy
To do the work yourself, they are more than worth the money.

Also, I,d say the jumbo frets look to be pretty jumbo to me.

 

[stevesmith1987]

Re: AGILE /Epi/ Les Pual Copy Thread

My two LP copies. One was $200 and one was $2000!!!!!

Honestly, while the Heritage is better, the Agile comes real damn close for 1/10th of the price! All I had to do was stick a set of Dragonfire Screamers in it and it's a monster guitar. On par with my Les Paul Studio really.