Low priced Les Pauls

[Spudman]

Check the link. They have other models for a little more, but for this price...kinda hard to beat.
http://www.rondomusic.net/al20003ts.html
http://www.rondomusic.net/al2000hc.html

[SuperSwede]

It seems like a really good deal. I bet that these kind of low price guitars will increase in price. Some of these copies are nearly as good as the originals (with a few modifications).

[tot_Ou_tard]

I think Rondo was even having a sale a month or so ago.

How do the Agiles sound & play.

There is a guy over on the Big Road Blues forum who swears by an Agile semihollow with P90s for playing slide.

I have also heard good things about Cort (although they cost more than the Agiles) as well as Schecters (which cost even more).

Speaking of P90s what do Fretters think about them?

[warren0728]

i have heard good things on the agiles but have never seen one myself.

hey tot...i'm on brb too!

ww

[SuperSwede]

I have also heard good things about Cort (although they cost more than the Agiles)

The newer Cort guitars are great, especially those models that are similar to PRS guitars.

[Spudman]

I've had a couple of Agiles one of which is the P90 Les Paul. I won't be getting rid of that guitar. Side by side comparison with my Epi Les Paul has better detail and workmanship and parts on the Agile.
I had a Telecaster copy that was a beautiful flame top and it played good too. I ditched it because I just am not a Tele guy and the scale length was different than a Fender Tele so it played differently. Nothing wrong with the guitar at all. Fine piece of work.
I don't think you can go wrong with an Agile. Besides, Rondo Music will make sure that you are happy with your purchase.

[tot_Ou_tard]

i have heard good things on the agiles but have never seen one myself.

hey tot...i'm on brb too!

ww

Great Warren! I'll look for you there.

[tot_Ou_tard]

The newer Cort guitars are great, especially those models that are similar to PRS guitars.

How do they compare to the Agiles? I have been thinking of a Cort M600 or an M800. The M800 is an mahogany semihollow that has recently been replaced by the M900 which also has piezos.

[tot_Ou_tard]

I've had a couple of Agiles one of which is the P90 Les Paul. I won't be getting rid of that guitar. Side by side comparison with my Epi Les Paul has better detail and workmanship and parts on the Agile.
I had a Telecaster copy that was a beautiful flame top and it played good too. I ditched it because I just am not a Tele guy and the scale length was different than a Fender Tele so it played differently. Nothing wrong with the guitar at all. Fine piece of work.
I don't think you can go wrong with an Agile. Besides, Rondo Music will make sure that you are happy with your purchase.

What are the pups like on these?

[Spudman]

ToT
I can only speak for the P90 version. They sound better than the Squier Tele Custom II's P90's and almost as good as an Epi LP P90. I didn't side by side the Epi and the Agile and the difference could have been in the amps. Very close anyway.
I don't think you'd be disappointed with the humbucking. p90's are single coil and are prone to buzzes and hums like Strat and Tele pickups.

[SuperSwede]

How do they compare to the Agiles? I have been thinking of a Cort M600 or an M800. The M800 is an mahogany semihollow that has recently been replaced by the M900 which also has piezos.

Havent played agiles, but the Cort M520 was really good. I havent tried the other M series guitars.

[tot_Ou_tard]

ToT
I can only speak for the P90 version. They sound better than the Squier Tele Custom II's P90's and almost as good as an Epi LP P90. I didn't side by side the Epi and the Agile and the difference could have been in the amps. Very close anyway.
I don't think you'd be disappointed with the humbucking. p90's are single coil and are prone to buzzes and hums like Strat and Tele pickups.

Thanks Spudman. I do need a dual humbucker at some point....

[Nelskie]

Spud - You're a bad, bad man. Posting a link where I could get a Gold Top Les Paul copy w/ P-90's for under $160 bones. If you're familiar with Pavlovian theory, you can guess what happened next . . . :p

http://www.rondomusic.net/al2000p90.html

zzzzztttt . . . Ice Station Zebra awaits arrival . . . over.

[Tone2TheBone]

You'd buy an Agile Nelskie?

[Nelskie]

Buy? Bought.

[Tone2TheBone]

Ok.........you bought an Agile Nelskie?

[Nelskie]

Yep. Ordered her this mornin'. And what's to lose? I've read some really good things about these guitars, and the Spudman himself has a couple of 'em and likes them alot. Looking at things along the same lines as many of the Fretters who play Squier '51's, I thought adding a low-buck, high fun-factor P-90 rig to the Nelskie stable made a lot of sense. Besides, if I don't like it, I can always return in w/ in (30) days (yeah, like that's gonna' happen if its a decent-sounding slab!!).

That gold-top has a ton of that cool, retro vibe goin', and I've always dug the growly snarl of dimed P-90's through a kick-a$$ tube amp (of which I am fortunate to have two.) Soooo, what better way to melt some of that snow out here on the tundra than with the warm glow of a gold-top Les Paul (copy, that is) equipped with a hot pair of P-90's???!!! :)

Here comes the sun, little darlin', here comes the sun . . . it's all right . . . .

[Tone2TheBone]

Let us know how the shipping went, how many days, condition of package etc. Give us one of your famous reports along with thumbnails when you've had time to schpank that plank. I've always wanted a P-90 guitar too. Did you buy a hardshell case for it too? How much more was that? Killer bro.

I see they also have a few Tele lookin' guitars.....hmmmm.....at those prices I could have both a Tele and P-90 equipt guitar! I know you're a man of quality so I can't wait to hear your report.

[warren0728]

absolutely nelskie...we want all the details....might have to place an order with rondo myself!

ww

[Nelskie]

No, didn't buy a case, but I did see that they were available for around $50. They seemed to have an odd shape to them. Maybe it's just me, but it didn't look like an LP case to me at all. On the flip side, I got a way-decent LP case for my Epi from Music 123 this past Christmas for around $49. The also have those LP cases in tweed, so maybe that's the route I'll go. I still have my original LP case, but I'm now using that for my Hamer.

You know, I'd wrangled around that SG idea for awhile, but after playing several last week, I just knew that it wasn't the right fit for me. Kind of bummed me out, too, seeing that I've been stuck in vintage Clapton mode for well over a month. As luck would have it, I played a nice Epi '56 Goldtop at one of the shops I was at, and liked it a lot. Gobs of tone from those P-90's. What didn't attract me was the $600 price tag. Yeah, I know it's not huge $$, but it still was a bit more than I wanted to shell out at the time, and I'd only budgeted for around $400 for my next rig. But that P-90 tone was absolutely tattooed to my brain (tatoo? did somebody mention tatoo?).

When I came across the Agile posting here a week or so ago, and saw the price, my chin about hit the floor. Sure, it's a copy. But a very nice-looking one at that. After a week of reading reviews on the various Agile guitars, I figured it was more than worthy of consideration. Then, it happened. Last night, I had a dream that I was on stage trading licks with Dickey Betts, and me - playing none other than a LP gold-top (*in case you were wondering, I managed to hold my own. Mr. Betts is indeed one fine player.) So, taking that as a sign, I logged onto the Rondo website this morning over coffee, and ordered one up.

Tone, at these prices, there's no reason not to scratch that Tele itch. Or that P-90 Jr. itch. Heck, be like the Spudman, and order five or six of 'em. :D Bottom line: it ain't the name on the headstock that makes a guitar sound good. That be you!

As for a review - absolutely. Expect a full run-down of all the important details. My hope is that it's another bang-for-the-buck jewel like my Valve Jr. amp. Man, I still can't believe that amp only cost me $119 bones.

[Tone2TheBone]

I'm curious to know what squelched your intrigue over the SGs. The bridge does sit a little further up the body than Les Pauls if I can take a guess.

I think all you Agile owners need to post some more thumbnailed guitar porn for us oglers to lust over. Lust can be cheap too ya know.

[Nelskie]

Well, for starters, I sling my guitar a bit on the low side, so with the SG, I just couldn't find any comfort level when I played it standing up (and I was even smart enough to bring my own strap along, too!) Sitting down, it played fine, and the neck was very comfortable. Standing up - completely different. The balance of the instrument on me was also a bit off-kilter, as in the guitar seemed like it wanted to fall forward all the time. That I really didn't like. Tone-wise, it sounded good. But like my Les Paul, it was a dual HB rig, and the overall voicing wasn't noticeably different. I guess I was thinking that it'd be wholly different guitar vs. my Les Paul, and unfortunately, it wasn't. :(

This hasn't squelched my interest in the SG, though. It just made me realize that it wasn't built to suit my playing preferences. I still remember during the height of the Nelskie metal era, I wanted a Gibson Explorer very badly. They had several down at my local shop, and I had the cash in hand fully intending to buy one. I played a beautiful Korina model with dual HB's, and a killer white model, and absolutely hated the way both of them felt on me. The store owner came up and asked me what I thought, and I told him "it's like having a small coffee table hanging around your neck." The guy laughed so hard, I though he was going to have a heart attack. He still remembers that statement to this very day. I was probably all of (19) yrs. old at the time.

The long and short of it is that I don't want to buy a guitar that isn't comfortable to play just because it looks and sounds good. Like a good pair of shoes, or a comfy pair of jeans, a guitar has to "fit" you. Some just do, and some don't. If it doesn't, chances are that what's coming out of it isn't directly connected to that "vibe" its supposed to be connected to. And when that ain't happenin', brother, the mojo ain't happenin' either. ;)

[Tone2TheBone]

I hear ya brother. What you said makes total sense. I hung a Flying V down my shoulder once and could never get used to not having any wood up near the neck. Korina wood one too...so choice...but felt weird. Akin to having a broken tv tray hanging around my neck! LMAO j/k

Your report should be interesting. The Agile "might" feel a little different than your mahogany necked Epi and THAT is what I am curious about everytime I've asked people about theirs. It might balance out pretty well though and if so you couldn't ask for a better less expensive P-90er than one that's as sweet looking as the Agiles thats for sure. Let us know how the maple back neck feels!

[Nelskie]

And that we soon shall see. ;)

[Katastrophe]

I can't wait to read your review on the P90 Goldtop. Congrats on the purchase, Nelskie!:R

[Spudman]

Mine is built very similar to my Epi Les Paul. The Agile is actually finished better, binding is better, it's heavier, chunkier mahogany neck, mahogany body with flame top like the Epi, better Grover tuners, and that little girl from Florida came with it. No wait, that was like Nelskie's dream of jamming with Dickie Betts 'cept my dream is way more cute.

[r_a_smith3530]

Mine is built very similar to my Epi Les Paul. The Agile is actually finished better, binding is better, it's heavier, chunkier mahogany neck, mahogany body with flame top like the Epi, better Grover tuners, and that little girl from Florida came with it. No wait, that was like Nelskie's dream of jamming with Dickie Betts 'cept my dream is way more cute.

Spudman, is that real Flame Maple on the Agile, or a "photo finish" top?

[Tone2TheBone]

...'cept my dream is way more cute.

Hell yeah it is. I mean she is. I mean.....'lil miss momo rocks dood.

[Spudman]

RA
Nothing photo about the guitar. They give you the real deal on these guitars.
Sad thing is though...they've come down $100 since I've bought mine. Different headstock design and I think the horn is different too. Otherwise great guitar.
I hope the design changes aren't due to a different factory because the last one had it figured out.

[Tone2TheBone]

Do they make guitars with photo finish flame???

[Nelskie]

Kat - Thanks. I'm counting the days til' this coming Tuesday, when it's scheduled to arrive.

Tone - Fender had a whole line of Foto Flame guitars back in the mid 90's, as a cost-effective alternative to the high-grade AAAA flamed maple tops. While they looked nice, everything I've read about them pointed to problems with the lamination of the photo material to the body. I, too, was attracted to them initially, but decided against getting one after I'd read about all of finish problems. Here's a link:

http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page7.html

Like the Spudman said in his post, the tops on Agile guitars are the real McCoy.

I had the Dickey Betts dream again last nite. These premonitions . . . . ;)

[Tone2TheBone]

Wow

All the Fender Stratocasters I have ever seen, played, owned, sold, traded or the ones that had been stolen from me have always been a solid woodgrain top of fine quality material. Basswood top over Alder construction (based on the description of the link supplied) sounds hideous! Especially with a photo composite of a quasi-flame top superimposed over such an inferior wood product of BASSWOOD. BLECK! Glad I was out of sight during the '90s!

[Nelskie]

Especially with a photo composite of a quasi-flame top superimposed over such an inferior wood product of BASSWOOD. BLECK!

Not surprisingly, good examples of the Fender Foto Flame guitars are highly collectible. Most of the nice ones I've seen on Ebay have gone for around $500. However, for what you're getting, I am of the same opinion as you. You could spend far less and get way more guitar.

[Spudman]

Kat - Thanks. I'm counting the days til' this coming Tuesday, when it's scheduled to arrive.

I had the Dickey Betts dream again last nite. These premonitions . . . . ;)

I sure hope it's not a premonition about getting kicked out of your band. LOL

[Nelskie]

I sure hope it's not a premonition about getting kicked out of your band. LOL

Touche', Sir Spud. :p You have proven yourself a worthy adversary. Angie sends her regards.

[r_a_smith3530]

Since Cort was mentioned, let me add another cool guitar in the single cutaway, dual humbucker, Les Paul style range. This one has some very interesting features, and I believe it is a good deal for the dough. It's the Washburn Idol WI64. Although they call it a single cutaway, it is termed as such very liberally, being almost a dual cutaway. It has a carved top, a maHOGany body and set neck (w/Rosewood fretboard), Grover tuners, Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop tail, and the Buzz Feiten Tuning System.

I was seriously looking to buy one of these when the bass bug bit hard. Check them out.

http://www.washburn.com/products/electrics/idol/wi64.aspx

Here's the skinny on the Buzz Feiten System.

http://www.washburn.com/products/buzz/index.aspx

Available for under $375 street price!

[Nelskie]

That Buzz Feiten tuning system has always intrigued me. I know Robben Ford uses it, as do many other pro players. Any other Fretters have any experience with the BF system on one of their guitars?

[Tone2TheBone]

No. But my PRS SE supposedly has a compensated nut. I wrote PRS about it and they did confirm that it does have a compensated nut as do all the other PRS models. They also said that the entire guitar including the bridge designs and nut are all "compensated". They didn't go into specifics as to how this is acccomplished though...I asked and they said they weren't at liberty to discuss it. :)

[warren0728]

hey nelskie....tomorrows the big day, huh? Maybe you'll get lucky and it will arrive today!

ww

[SuperSwede]

Nelskie, I love the BF tuning system too. I have played a few BF guitars and the cords are wonderful, almost like a piano. Even high up on the fretboard!

[Nelskie]

Well . . . I thought it might. But when I checked the FedEx website to track my package, it hadn't been updated since 3/30, when it left New Joisey (where Rondo Music is located). Anyways, I'm not holding my breath.

I already have all of tomorrow evening blocked off to jam. My hope is that it comes out of the box with a decent set-up, so I can at least play it. I most definitely plan on having my ace tech dude put one of his fab Les Paul set-ups on it next weekend - and from there on, it should be good to go.

[Tim]

My Washburn has BF (not to be confused with BS). But never understood it.

[Nelskie]

Do you like it, Tim? Does that guitar stay in tune better than your others? Are there adjustments that you need to make to it so that it does what its supposed to do? Maintenance? I mean, don't leave us hanging here . . . !

[warren0728]

My Washburn has BF (not to be confused with BS). But never understood it.
at least it doesn't have BO :D

ww

[Tone2TheBone]

at least it doesn't have BO :D

ww

(a dry wheezing laugh till I drop)

[Tim]

Ok! Sorry. I did not know you guys were hanging. A little stretching would not hurt. Us older folks are getting shorter with age you know.

Any way the Washburn HB-30 stays in tune very well. I hardly ever need to tune the strings. There is no maintenance. I have not done a thing to the guitar since first setting it up some 5 years ago. I love this guitar.

So now that I cut you dudes down, hope about splaining what BF is?

[duhvoodooman]

So now that I cut you dudes down, hope about splaining what BF is?
BF = Buzz Feiten tuning system, I think....

[Tim]

Ya .. Ya.. Ya! Who is Buzz Feiten? What does he do or not do? Is he anything like Buss Lightyear?

[warren0728]

Who is Buzz Feiten?
i thought "who" was a "what"...and i thought it was how i felt most of the time during college! :D

ww

[Tim]

So you are a "buzz" in disguise? (not to be confused with ... na, I wouldn’t go there). What do you do?

[warren0728]

What do you do?
as little as possible for as much as possible!

ww

[Tim]

Yea me too. But the boss is catching on though.

[Spudman]

I use the Earvana compensated nut on my non-locking tremolo guitars. You can put it on without modifying anything. Just remove the old nut and put this one in. They work great. It's quite amazing to hear your guitar in tune for the first time.

Nelskie - I hope you don't have to go fetch your guitar out of the river. Tell the Fed Ex driver to stay out of the water.

[Nelskie]

Nelskie - I hope you don't have to go fetch your guitar out of the river. Tell the Fed Ex driver to stay out of the water.
The river's supposed to crest later today, so hopefully, this flooding thing will be behind us for the rest of the spring. It seems like it's been a really long time since last Wed. when I ordered it. Like Tom Petty says, "the waiting is the hardest part." So true. ;)