brianh Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 I had a guard customer with the ricky looking 12 string and he raves about it.I think it's one of the best 12 string deals out there. TWANG I went lookin' for it, and it appears that Rondo's out of Rick 12s at the moment. They do have Agile LP and 335-type 12s tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 12 string LP... don't mind if I do! actually... ix-nay on that one.... I'd be too lazy to change strings...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I've decided to sell my Epi custom, I no longer have the time or the patience to finish the rewire, and having sat in the case for a few months, I forgot that It's kind of beat up, not really in the same prisitine condition as my other guitars. So I'm thinking I'll go for an Agile once that's sold. Maybe I'll go for two, the GoldTop and an AL-2000 slim profile in Tobacco. The sale of my Epi should be able to cover that! Actually quite looking forward to the prospect of a couple of new guitars, especially after hearing all the good things about these Agiles! In fact it works out pretty cheap to get two of 'em, shipping is $150US for two, whereas it's $100US for one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 OK my $109 SX Telecaster Copy came today, here's the photo essay: History Sep 19, 2009 6:46PM: Order Received Sep 21, 2009 8:04AM: Ready to Ship Sep 23, 2009 2:15PM: Delivered Nice packing, including the extra pickguard I ordered - no damage or shipping issues at all! Alder body is nicely figured (for a $109 guitar): Nice tuners/headstock: Neck is straight as a rail: String Height at 2nd fret is roughly .020. At 12th fret, .060 - not bad! Frets are nicely filed, no sharp edges: Other Comments: - Guitar came detuned about a whole step; intonation is very close out of the box. - Stock strings not bad, tuned right up and played well; no dead frets and did not need a set up. - Pickups are hot - much more so than my stock MIM tele - this is good. I have not measured PUP resistance. - Tone is as you might expect, bright and jangly, like a tele should sound, maybe a little on the harsh side though. - Stock nut is cheap plastic, needs to be changed out (easy) but is slotted and spaced correctly. - Bridge allows individual string height/intonation - a nice touch. BUT, I'm sending it back for a new one or upgraded model for three reasons: 1) Annoying pink spot between 1st and 2nd fret - this really bugs me: 2) 6" long dark line under finish on top side (hard to see in pic, but pretty noticable in person): 3) Neck is just too yellow for my taste - its an attempt to make it look vintage, but it looks more like someone put too much orange tint in the sprayer tank. Still, this is an amazing deal for $109, would really make a great first guitar or mod platform. Cheers, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 that pretty much parallels my douglas bass review.. except I had NO problems with mine. I tend to go with solid colors just because of the mismatch in the grain, too.. but the bass was flame top so.. front and back looked very good. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I've got 3 Rondo-purchased guitars. The first of them is my SX Strat which was my first electric. Finish is flawless and setup was good out of the box, however now that I've a few more guitars I find the pickups to be a bit shrill. That, and the fretboard has nothing compared to the next two. Second was a Harm 1. Ebony fretboard, P90s. Very light. Setup was a bit too low (easily fixed), finish is again flawless. Most recently, I bought a Spalted Maple AL-3000 Finish was again flawless, setup was perfect out of the box (...and was in tune). The pickups rival those on a few Gibsons I've played. All-in-all, they are very much worth their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1281734170 Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Nice, Roswell. How do you like their P-90's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 They're quite nice. It's a semi-hollow so I get a bit different sound than if it were solid... through a Vox or similar amp I'm able to get some very nice Lennon sounds out of it (both pups with a TINY bit of drive also does a very good duplication of George's Let It Be Tele as well, though you don't get the P90 sparkle that way). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I did mention that I had some concerns about the pickups on my AL2900 but after discussion with Kurt I seem to have resolved the issue by lowering the PUPs a little. I have read that they were a little "hot" and I guess they were over-driving my amp. I was going to try lowering the poll pieces but his approach was easier. For those considering a high end Agile guitar or dealing with Rondo music I have to say that both are "spot on". Digger P.S. I just have to comment about how terrific those hand filed jumbo frets are...........I have never seen their like on any other guitar I've played! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Just a quick follow up - I shipped the SX back today, and also got a message from Kurt apologizing about the finish problems. I was looking at upgrading to one of their $149 teles, but he said the SX STL has a better quality track record than the WF-150, but neither were as consistent at the ALs. I'd expect so for 2 to 3 x the price. I see an AL 3X00 in my future.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgifntx Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 bh- Wow! That's a fantastic work area you have there!!! Thanks for sharin' your lab!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Just a quick follow up - I shipped the SX back today' date=' and also got a message from Kurt apologizing about the finish problems. I was looking at upgrading to one of their $149 teles, but he said the SX STL has a better quality track record than the WF-150, but neither were as consistent at the ALs. I'd expect so for 2 to 3 x the price. I see an AL 3X00 in my future....[/quote'] Good to hear that the Tele was ok. Shame about the finish issues. I doubt you'll get an SX with anything but that orangey neck though, that's how they all are. You're right, it's supposed to look like vintage maple, but it's a bit to gaudy for my liking as well. My old SX Strat was the same, I was going to rub it down with some steel wool to see if I could dull it, but I sold it. The maple neck on my new Deluxe MIM Strat is a stark contrast, nice natural colour, just a light stain, satin finished and very smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 They recieved my returned AL-3000 HSBF yesterday, waiting for some word from them that the replacement has been sent. (I'm the guy that recieved the one with the cracked neck heel and body neck-pocket) My SX SJM-57 is a fantastic guitar for $139, the P-90s sound GREAT, and have a rawness that H/B's just don't have. My only issue with this guit. was the cheap a** factory tuners, but I SWEAR, they're improving with use ! I still gotta record a few soundbites with it, and learn how to upload links to this place. They also sell these fantastic, aluminum plush lined, form fitting, plexiglass faced, wall mountable cases for LP's and Strats for $90 (as opposed to the $250-350 everywhere else). I took a chance, and got one for my 30th ann. LP, and i'm glad I did. The thick line across the 7th-9th frets is a reflection, the cases plexiface is blemish free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Yes I've been interested in an SX SJM-57 for some time myself. I have a Casino with P90s and it would be interesting to have them in a solid body. How can you go wrong with the price although shipping, exchange and case would cost me more than the guitar. On second thoughts I'll see if my local music store can get one as they sell SX. Wait on! I've bought 3 guitars this year, better slow down for a while I think....damn GAS! Happy to hear more about that one though as it looks interesting. Dig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 Dang' date=' I just checked out the AD2300, LP Jr copy with p-90's. $249. Man that's tempting.[/quote'] I just got one. For the money, it's fantastic, and a better value IMHO than a comparatively priced Epi. I have a HNDG thread about around here somewhere, but the search function stinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share Posted October 18, 2009 That tiger-eye maple top LP for $199 is ridiculously tempting. They're all pretty tempting for that matter, even a couple of the 7-string and 5-string basses. A couple have even made it into the checkout cart, but I chickened out at the last minute - I have to pay for 5 new low-e windows next month.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 I want an sx sjm... they just got some in with whammy.. which is also tempting. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vomer Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 Baby come to daddy... this or a Wilshire, how to decide? (I reckon they would cost about the same here in the UK; Rondo only ship overseas if you buy a case, and then there's the Taxman.) edit to add it's an AD201. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 vomer I have that model in the shop now.. it's really nice, too. They seem to have, and rondo buyers have mentioned this before, set the bridge posts too close to the neck. This had a wilkinson wrap around bridge, but i still couldn't get it to intonate. luckily another guy had one.. with a schaller bridge and that should do the trick. But.. the guitar itself.. definately a keeper. real solid feel and well made as far as anything I could tell. better than the price indicates by a longshot. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 Twang, how does the Schaller fix the intonation problem? Is that a 2-part bridge/tail assembly with drilling, etc? Sorry, the agile forum seems to be down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 the wilk wont go back far enough.. it's saddles are forward to start with.. the set screws that hit the bridge posts are too tiny to be durable, and too short to compensate with it's saddles so far forward. the schaller will move back farther, AND has intonation room on the saddles. between the two you can even compensate for the sometimes misplaced bridge bushings. it's one piece.. you can find it at stew mac... TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 Thanks, that's a really great $250 alternative to a Gibby Junior. After the bridge upgrade, all ya gots to do is rip out the neck PUP and put a CC in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deflepfan Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 That tiger-eye maple top LP for $199 is ridiculously tempting. They're all pretty tempting for that matter' date=' even a couple of the 7-string and 5-string basses. A couple have even made it into the checkout cart, but I chickened out at the last minute - I have to pay for 5 new low-e windows next month....[/quote']Hey, Brian, that's mine, remember!?!?!? And the Rootbeer: And the Gold Top w/P9o's: OMG, serious GAS attack. It hurts so bad!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 I want an sx sjm... they just got some in with whammy.. which is also tempting.TWANG OOOOOOHHHHH YYEEEEEEAAAAAHHhhhh...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 21, 2009 Author Share Posted October 21, 2009 I slobber over that Tiger Eye every day Sheila, thanks a ton. But I just had a bunch of new windows (and a door) ordered for the man cave, and with the holidays approaching it ain't gonna happen...unless I get really drunk... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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