Melody Maker or Agile?

[upnorthbacon]

I know it's not Warmoth related but I bank on the knowledge around here since there is so much of it!  I'm thinking of picking up either a Melody Maker SG or Agile AL-3000 as a fun inexpensive traveling guitar.  I like the idea of buying a Gibson (I have an SG already) but I'm concerned about quality control issues with the cheaper melody makers.  Are these necks on par with the other "faded" Gibsons?  I've heard tons of great things about the Agile's but never played one.  They definately look like the best bang for the buck.  Can you guys offer some advice on the quality of the necks on these two guitars?  I play mostly 80's rock, hair band stuff, and old school metal.  I'm looking for something I can get relatively low action, and I like chunkier necks.

 

[rockskate4x]

agile agile agile agile agile

please take this rootbeer flame one so that I'll stop staring at it  :toothy11:

http://www.rondomusic.com/al-3000rootbeer.html

 

[Cagey]

I've owned an Agile 3000, and know a couple others who have as well and I played theirs, too. All I can say is this: Gibson should be ashamed of themselves.

That is a super-fine guitar that is easily the equal or better to a Gibson Les Paul Custom, which lists for around $5K and normally sells for around $3,500. If you could get a Gibson LP Custom for $400, I'd say "buy it", because some people are brand-name snobs and you'll be able to impress them if that's important to you. But, since you can't, you can have the same thing or better from Agile and to hell with what the uninformed think. It's their loss. You'll have a very nice guitar with $3,100 left to spend and they'll still be trying to figure out how to pay for a "real" Paul.

There's no compromise to the things. It's not second-grade wood, slap-dash finish, photo top, crummy hardware, poor fit-up, sloppy binding, none of that. Think of the absolute best LP Custom you've ever seen, which is a rare beast these days, and that's what you'll get from Agile as a matter of course.

 

[dmraco]

While i love the new Gibson Jrs and Melody makers, they are STILL double what  even most of the Agiles cost.  FOr purely travel, I say agile.

Go with somethinbg light...like one of their Jr or DC models...
DOUGLAS MODELS>>
$119
http://www.rondomusic.com/shadow2ts.html
139
http://www.rondomusic.com/callistojrtvy.html
http://www.rondomusic.com/callistojrtvy.html

AGILE
http://www.rondomusic.com/AD201HUM2TS.HTML
http://www.rondomusic.com/al20003tsspalted.html


this is my favorite...but a little more at jkust over $300
http://www.rondomusic.com/harm1semisb.html

 

[stubhead]

I've looked at Agiles over and over, but what put me off is the thin necks. They advertise their AL-3000 neck as being

Neck taper/thickness at the 1st fret: 21.5 mm; at the 12th fret: 23.5mm

which is 0.850" to 0.925" - not a Wizard by any means, but not really chunky. They do sometimes list their more popular models with wider necks, thinner, thicker etc. so it may be worth picking through their site. Their 7-strings are supposed to be great, but unfortunately they follow the Ibanez-standard Wizard profile straight down the tubes, as far as I'm concerned.

GIVE ME NECK MEAT -
MORE MEAT, MORE MEAT​

:guitarplayer2:

 

[m4rk0]

I would an agile or guitarfetish guitar before a cheap gibson!!
better value for money!

in fact, I am considering to get a guitarfetish acoustic.
the Cedar/Bubinga looks great!
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Cutaway-Acoustic-Electric-Solid-Cedar-Top-Bubinga-back-and-sides-_p_4318.html

the rosewood one looks pretty good too!
http://www.guitarfetish.com/OUR-BEST-Solid-Spruce-Top-Solid-Rosewood-Back-and-Sides-Bound-Neck-and-Headstock_p_4274.html

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I've looked at Agiles over and over, but what put me off is the thin necks. They advertise their AL-3000 neck as being

Neck taper/thickness at the 1st fret: 21.5 mm; at the 12th fret: 23.5mm

which is 0.850" to 0.925" - not a Wizard by any means, but not really chunky. They do sometimes list their more popular models with wider necks, thinner, thicker etc. so it may be worth picking through their site. Their 7-strings are supposed to be great, but unfortunately they follow the Ibanez-standard Wizard profile straight down the tubes, as far as I'm concerned.

GIVE ME NECK MEAT -
MORE MEAT, MORE MEAT​

:guitarplayer2:

I have an Agile 7, and it is doesn't feel like an Ibanez. It is much more of the "Standard thin" than the "wizard."  I would like more of the "59" shape, but they are catering to the market at hand. 

It is a fun guitar.  The finish is thick, and was kinda soft when it showed up.  I immediately pulled the pickups and got Ken to make me some.  That made a large difference.  I got one with a Floyd and wish I hadn't, I don't use it for anything.  So I put a Tremol-No on it and now it is a fancy fixed bridge version.  Also it is the 27 inch scale.  It takes a little getting used to, but now I don't really notice it much.  If you want to go to drop A tuning, it does keep things sounding quite a bit nicer and in order than my buddy's Ibanez.

For what the original poster wanted, it is a good deal.  I would switch the pickups to get it to sound like the style he wants.  I would send Ken at Roadhouse Pickups a message and see what he suggested.
Patrick

 

[TBurst Std]

Agile, certainly.

I have had the opportunity to play a few quite a bit. I think that comparing them to a 5K LPC though is a little far stretched though. Having played a number (like something north of 40) of Gibbys throughout the years, I guess I am fortunate that I haven't come across those duds. Have I come across some with issues? Sure, as I have every make, but nothing like the horror stories I hear.  I hear people, mention bad neck angles (like 5+* off), but somehow they never have pics of them, though they got pics galore of whatever else they liked.

Anyways back to Agile. You may desire to dress the fret ends. You will need to set the truss rod, action and pups. Nothing difficult at all. Certainly does beat the majority of EPI LPs I have tried.