Can't play one, need thoughts

breakdanceattiffanys

breakdanceattiffanys

New member
There is a lightly used Epi LP Custom with SD custom 5 bridge and Pearly Gates neck at the local shop here for $300 with HSC. Have been wanting to get into the LP sound for a while now but am on a budget, and it plays really nicely. $300 for a decent guitar isn't much.

After reading through a bunch of the old threads, though, seems like the Agile kicks the poo out of most Epi's as far as sound quality, playability, and just overall construction, and if $300 gets me a decent guitar but a little more would get me a much BETTER one, then I'd rather wait for an Agile.

Problem is, nowhere around here that I've found carries them. I can't sit down and play it first and see, feel neck shapes, playability, etc. So thought I would open it up here, see what everybody has to say about it.

What's a good Agile model around that price-range, maybe a little higher, but nothing over $500, and how would it compare to that Epi?
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

never played one, but i would guess that quality is in about the same range. personally, i'd go with the epi at your local shop since it already comes with a case and some decent duncans at that price.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

super rad stuff said:
never played one, but i would guess that quality is in about the same range. personally, i'd go with the epi at your local shop since it already comes with a case and some decent duncans at that price.
Click to expand...

+1. It'll cost you more to get one of the better Agile LP's ($400+), and then a hardcase and a Duncan on top of that. I've got a few Epi LP's, and with a PU upgrade, they really sound good. If that C5 turns out to be a little bright or thin for your tastes, an A8 or unoriented A5 will take off some treble and adds mids, and give you powerful, rich tones with just enough bite. My Epi LP with a C5 (with an UOA5 in it) sounds amazing.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

The $200 Agile will be way better than the Epi, and $100 will put Duncans in it.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

SUGGESTION

1) Buy $300 Epi LP
2) Stash away case
3) Remove Duncans
4) Install $75-worth of pickups of a less expensive brand
5) Sell guitar for $199
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

Funkfingers said:
SUGGESTION

1) Buy $300 Epi LP
2) Stash away case
3) Remove Duncans
4) Install $75-worth of pickups of a less expensive brand
5) Sell guitar for $199
Click to expand...

Actually, with a little tweaking and a set of stock pickups you could easily sell the LP for 300 or more, keep the case and the Duncans and use the cash to get an awesome Agile.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

Agile guitars are not drastically different / better than Epiphones, in my limited experience.

I would be surprised if they were made in different factories. Everything from the quality of the wood grain to the thickness of the poly is damn near the same.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

Empty Pockets said:
Agile guitars are not drastically different / better than Epiphones, in my limited experience.

I would be surprised if they were made in different factories. Everything from the quality of the wood grain to the thickness of the poly is damn near the same.
Click to expand...
agile = Unsung of Korea
epi = something in china... qingdao or somesuch

as for quality: pretty similar but agile is cheaper so I'm an agile fan at the moment. Agile has a wider variety of finishes... epiphone doesn't make a rootbeer flame top! Nor do they use much ebony for fretboards. that's a personal taste thing though. I like the feel of ebony a lot.
 
Last edited:
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

^ i have several epi's in my shop that say 'Made in Korea' on the headstock. They come from a few factories...

That said, even if they come from different places I wouldn't put one ahead of the other. There are just way too many variables in guitar construction to say EVERY SINGLE AGILE is better than EVERY SINGLE EPIPHONE when their specs are nearly identical.

It pays to forget the logo on the headstock and judge each guitar on it's own merits, especially when you're talking pawn shop scores. Even if you end up robbing it for the pickups, it's still a good deal on a cool axe.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

They're both made of mudjungle qao nuk muk gunkwood and finished in melted plastic bags so I doubt it makes much difference either way.
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

I've been following Epi since they moved to continental China, and the newest production models (2009 and up) are finally up to par if not better than the korean ones.

Their HB p'ups are still the muddiest stock p'ups to be found anywhere in the world and they're still wired with the thinniest wire you can find anywhere IN THE GALAXY.

Somebody please tell'em to change recipe in those p'ups. It's not that it would make'em more expensive to produce...
 
Re: Can't play one, need thoughts

LtKojak said:
I've been following Epi since they moved to continental China, and the newest production models (2009 and up) are finally up to par if not better than the korean ones.

Their HB p'ups are still the muddiest stock p'ups to be found anywhere in the world and they're still wired with the thinniest wire you can find anywhere IN THE GALAXY.

Somebody please tell'em to change recipe in those p'ups. It's not that it would make'em more expensive to produce...
Click to expand...

+1 on improving Chinese guitar manufacturing standards.

My most recent pre-owned Ibanez project was a MIC SA series. My example had plenty of issues but, once I had sorted these out, the guitar was fine. Ideally, of course, the average purchaser should not have to get out tools, abrasives and a soldering iron.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top