Convince me.

[toopicky]

I'm looking to buy a guitar. This will most likely be the only one I will buy since I am getting ready to retire and just want one to play with at home. I have been away for playing for a long, loooong time and just want to start again for my own enjoyment, so I don't need a top notch professional instrument.

 

I do, however want the best I can get within the price range i have set for myself. That being no more than $350 to $375 for the guitar.

 

I've decided that I want an LP style in cherry and have been looking at this one:

 

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-Les-Paul-...

 

Now, I have just recently become aware of Agile and they have really caught my attention. I have found this one in the style and color I want:

 

http://www.rondomusic.com/dauntlesssbdhc.html

 

As I said before, this will most likely be the one and only guitar I will buy for the rest of my life. So, my question:

 

Discounting the price of these two guitars and any cosmetic differences, why should I choose the Epi over the Agile? What would make the Epi a better choice?

 

Anything you can tell me to help me decide would be appreciated.

 

So, convince me.

 

Thanks in advance:

Steve

[Versatile]

First question is has anybody heard of Agile?

The spec looks good especially with SD pickups

But are they US made or just 'designed by'

Some great guitars come from Korea...think Peerless

Epi is a long established name people know about

I think mostly Chinese nowadays on low labour costs

 

There is an old adage....

 

You get what you pay for....

 

 

A nice amp can make a lot of difference....

[i Can Tuna Guitar]

If one has to compromise, IMO it's better to bias the budget toward the amp - any guitar will sound good thru a good amp, but a crappy amp sounds bad no matter what.

 

I've heard and read nothing but good things regarding the Agile LPs, and many seem to think they give more bang for buck than Epiphone.

[toopicky]

First question is has anybody heard of Agile?

The spec looks good especially with SD pickups

But are they US made or just 'designed by'

 

 

 

That was my first thought also. I had never heard of them, but there are evidently really a lot of people who own these guitars and in most cases it appears that a lot of them have several. Usually, I find that if you can't find any reviews on something, they aren't very good, but there a ton of reviews on these. (Hard to find a bad review if you put any stock in reviews). Also, I have been spending some time on the Agile guitar forum and I must say these people seem to be very passionate about these guitars.

 

As far as the pickups, they are probably an SD design. It also appears that most of the guitars are made in Korea.

 

I don't know, it's getting to be a tough decision between the brands.

 

 

 

Man, I just realized it might sound like I'm promoting Agile. Be assured that I am not. I'm just trying to make a decsion. Kind of like talking out loud to yourself.

[Whitmore Willy]

Picky,

 

Welcome to the forum.

Where are you from?....could make a difference. (maybe not)

I like to play a guitar before I buy it.

Where I live I can go to most any music store and play Epi's (one after another) until I find the one I like.

I don't know where I would go to play an Agile.

 

Willy

[toopicky]

 

I like to play a guitar before I buy it.

Where I live I can go to most any music store and play Epi's (one after another) until I find the one I like.

I don't know where I would go to play an Agile.

 

Willy

 

Willy, I agree with that. It's one of the sticking points to Agile, there is nowhere to try them unless you found one used somewhere. They only sell through the internet.

 

Oh, I live on the west coast of Iowa, right across from Omaha, Nebraska.

[Whitmore Willy]

Also....We have a better forum!

 

Willy

[toopicky]

Also....We have a better forum!

 

Willy

 

Now who's Picky?

[Gordy01]

I'm with Willy on this one. I have to get my hands on a guitar before I buy.

When I bought my Epi, I played it right beside some Gibby's, and a few Gretch and Ibanez.

The guitar I ended up with just felt better in my hands.

And sounded as good as the others.

[wiggy]

1.Go to as many guitar shops as you can

 

2. Play as many guitars as you can,

 

3. Buy the one that feels right in you hands

 

4. Enjoy

 

Simples

[bluelake07]

 

As I said before, this will most likely be the one and only guitar I will buy for the rest of my life.

 

It is my opinion that Les Paul-type guitars are for younger players. Those ten-pounders will weigh heavily on your aging frame and in a few years your back may look like this:

 

 

Buy an Epiphone Casino, that is the one guitar for you to play the rest of your life. Try to avoid looking at Les Paul guitars.

[Parabar]

Well, not necessarily. I own a Casino and no Les Paul style guitars, but that suits the music I play. If you want that warm, overdriven sustain and play styles where feedback is a problem, an LP of some sort might be a better choice.

[lowb5str]

1.Go to as many guitar shops as you can

 

2. Play as many guitars as you can,

 

3. Buy the one that feels right in you hands

 

4. Enjoy

 

+1, Universal Truth

[audiomitch]

why should I choose the Epi over the Agile? What would make the Epi a better choice?

 

Hi Steve,

 

I've owned a few Agiles and a few Epiphones. I prefer an Epiphone, mostly because the neck feels like a Gibson. I'm used to the Gibson neck, so that's an issue with me. The Agiles have a wider, flatter neck that doesn't differ much between models. Agiles tend to be heavier too, and have a THICK coat of polyurethane.

 

Don't get me wrong, they're great guitars for the price. I just prefer an Epiphone. But you can't really go too far wrong with either one. Which ever one you choose, just make sure you get a set neck model.

[toopicky]

It is my opinion that Les Paul-type guitars are for younger players. Those ten-pounders will weigh heavily on your aging frame and in a few years your back may look like this:

 

 

Buy an Epiphone Casino, that is the one guitar for you to play the rest of your life. Try to avoid looking at Les Paul guitars.

 

HA! My back already looks like that. But, I play sitting down anyway, so weight isn't really a problem. My old guitar from years ago was quite heavy too.

 

Parabar, I was actually looking at Casinos at one point, but they are over my budget a bit. What's your opinion on the Dot. A bit less cost but similar?

[i Can Tuna Guitar]

I was actually looking at Casinos at one point, but they are over my budget a bit. What's your opinion on the Dot. A bit less cost but similar?

Similar, with a couple of notable differences - the Dot is semi-hollow and has humbucking pickups, while the Casino is fully-hollow and has P90 single coil pickups.

 

If you're considering a Dot, and trying to save money, too, take a look at the Dot Studio, which is $100 less than the Dot. Aside from the different finish, the Dot Studio has single tone and volume controls, and the Classic Plus (HOTCH) pickup at the bridge position. Otherwise, they're quite similar.

[toopicky]

 

 

If you're considering a Dot, and trying to save money, too, take a look at the Dot Studio, which is $100 less than the Dot.

 

Well, I don't need to go lower, I just don't want to go over.

I had origanally set my budget at $350 - 375, but the Dot is only $25 over. I can swallow that. Basicly, I want to get as much guitar as I can up to that point, give or take $25 either way.

[jcwillow777]

It's your call on getting the guitar. Epis are nice guitars.

 

I have a friend that just got the Dauntless with SD pups, but in the black flame finish. It's a very nice. I own 6 Agiles and 4 Epis. I've had more Epis but I sold a few. I don't plan on getting rid of any of the rest of my guitars any time soon. I will say this, if I was gonna get another LP style guitar it would probably be an AL-3000M thru neck with a cut heal. I expect to get flamed, but that's okay. The 3000s/3100s have an ebony fret board, either REAL MOP or Abalone inlays and better electronics than those in Epis. 3000Ms come with TonePros bridge and tailpiece.

 

One of the first mods I did to each of my Epis was to put in new pickups, not so with my 3x000 Agiles. I still have the stock pickups in my AL-3000M and AL-3100 and they aren't coming out. They sound great. The neck profile on all of my ALs is very similar to the profile on my Epi '56 GT, which I really like.

 

I'm not saying DON'T get an Epi, but you will pay more. The Dauntless also has a nut that won't have to be changed (Graph Tech Tusq). But if you go with the 3x00 you will definitely get more guitar and pay less. I had several Epis in my collection before I had even heard of Agile, on this forum by the way. I took a chance on an Agile AL-3100 a few years ago and I'm glad I did. I prefer it over my Gibson Custom Les Paul. You can always send it back if you don't like it.

[The.Traffic.Lights]

Just returning to the Seymour Duncan question about the Agile. On the photo I clearly see "Duncan Designed" written on the pups. BUT! the text also clearly states that the git is not the one on the pics, "Please note pickguard and pickup rings are cream, not black as shown". So I think it's worth e-mailing the shop asking them all the questions.

[AlanH]

In terms of overall quality, most Asian made guitars of whatever brand come from the same group of factories so I would say that brand is of less of an issue if you want bang for buck. A few other things to consider:-

 

Model of guitar: Les Pauls are more difficult and expensive to make than, say, a strat type guitar - i.e. Glued neck, angled back headstock, carved top vs. straight headstock, bolt neck, flat body.

 

Bling: You pay over the odds for bling. For Les Pauls, look at the prices of a black standard; a plain sunburst top standard; a flamed top sunburst standard; and a custom. These are all essentially the same guitar bar the cosmetic differences but look at the large differences in price across the range (NB. the studio is essentially the same too but with an ever so slightly thinner/flatter top.) In my collection I find that the guitars which are more 'stripped down' are the better players. This could be a complete coincidence but just maybe it's because, during their manufacture, only the things that really matter had to be considered.

 

Variability: Quality control is pretty good on Asian guitars but, because they are made of cheaper woods and with maybe less time available to spend on each one, there can be good ones and bad ones of the same model. Therefore it's best to play before you buy in order to assess the feel of the neck and unplugged resonance/tone, in particular. Anything else can be corrected easily but not these two factors. Note that a good set up will vastly improve playability but you can still get a neck that's a dog (even after a fret dress.) Also note that even if you buy a Gibson it's by no means guaranteed that you won't get a dog either.

 

Resale value: Epis are the authenticated 'copies' so will have a higher resale value if you decide guitar playing isn't for you or that you actually want to upgrade. If you decide you like this hobby you'll find it very difficult to just stick with what you've got. Just look at us lot!

 

So, as stated above, spend some time trying out different guitars in different stores to find what model feels best for you and also suits the styles of music you like to play......and try not to be seduced by what doesn't necessarily matter. If you're a novice player, taking somebody 'in the know' with you would be a good idea too.

 

Alan

[charlie brown]

And, don't forget the SG's (G-400's) etc. Great upper fret access,

much lighter, than a Les Paul, with much the same (overall) sound/tone.

But, I too, think you should spend more, on a great amp...if you have

to bias toward one, or the other, that is...no matter what kind of music

you play.

 

Cheers,

CB

[bluelake07]

If you want a solid-body guitar, CB mentioned a G-400 and that is what I would buy in your price range. For a semi-hollow guitar, the Dot is a fine choice. Outside of the US, an Epiphone Dot is called a ES-335 Dot. In MusicRadar magazine last year, the Dot was chosen as best guitar under 300 British pounds (currently $403):

 

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/the-best-electric-guitars-under-300-213316/22

[brianh]

Well, I don't need to go lower, I just don't want to go over.

I had origanally set my budget at $350 - 375, but the Dot is only $25 over. I can swallow that. Basicly, I want to get as much guitar as I can up to that point, give or take $25 either way.

Take a look at the nut width on the guitar you're planning on buying. The Agile Dauntless is 1-5/8" which is pretty narrow, similar to a tele or strat. A lot of Epiphone hollowbodies are 1-11/16" which is a bit better, but depending on the size of your hand & fingers you might want something in the 1-3/4" range. This little bit of difference can make playing so much less frustrating. And of course the neck thickness makes a big difference too.

 

BTW, the Agile line, especially the 3000 series are excellent guitars - several members here have them and they have a rabid following. The guy who runs the place (Kurt) is very easy to deal with and maintains a very fair return policy - you pay return shipping, that's all. But the Dauntless does not have the hand-filed frets,ebony fretboard, and upgraded pots and wiring that the 3000 series have. Here's a 3100 (my favorite model) with a 1-3/4" neck width, and all the upgrades: http://www.rondomusi...otbeerwide.htmlhttp://www.rondomusi...otbeerwide.html

 

I am in the Epiphone hollowbody camp on this though, but mostly for aesthetics. the semi-hollow Epiphone Dot, Sheraton II, Riviera and full-hollow Casino are a lot of guitar for the money, and can often be had for short coin on Craigslist. And at least on Craigslist you can try before you buy. Any of the semis, and especially the Casino would be great for plinking around at home without scaring the cat because you don't need an amp to practice.

 

PS: Here's a cherry sunburst Epiphone LP for $350 in Bellevue: http://omaha.craigsl...1939235597.html and a black one with two sets of pickups for $360: http://omaha.craigsl...1942319670.html

[amx05462]

a few years back i bought an epiphone dot.

 

one of the best playing guitars i ever played. and there reasonably priced. get the standard one not the two control one.

 

ive never had to do a thing to it accept ajust the action the way i like it once. and normal string changes. sweet guitar .

[BillyGibson]

As I said before, this will most likely be the one and only guitar I will buy for the rest of my life. So, my question:

 

Discounting the price of these two guitars and any cosmetic differences, why should I choose the Epi over the Agile? What would make the Epi a better choice?

 

Anything you can tell me to help me decide would be appreciated.

 

So, convince me.

 

Thanks in advance:

Steve

 

 

Sounds like me when I bouth my first guitar. It was going to be my only one too. It was a Washburn wd64. Sold it within a year. Never had more than 4 guitars on hand at one time, but I'd say about 10 have passed through my hands in the past four years. Now I'm holding steady at three: Gibson LP Std. Trad+, Casino, EJ200. After each acquisition, I said it will be my last and final one. My wife is definitely smarter than I am, because she never believed that After my Gibson, it works on the one in, one out rule.

 

I looked at Agiles too. People who own them, love them. I didin't consider them only because the headstock is goofy and they don't look like a Les Paul. Since you're looking for your FIRST guitar (Yes, you'll want a second one in about 8 months) see if you can find an Epi Standard on Craigs List in your area. They pop up here in St. Louis all the time for a $300 to $350 with a case. Might even get an amp with it... This way you can try it out. Or if you're near a Guitar Center stop in and play some. They sell used too.

 

Lots of options. Have fun with it.