Who does 'Gibson' better? Agile or Gibson?

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JakeAC5253

JakeAC5253

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I know that sounds silly and this could potentially raise some controversy, but I think it's a valid question to ask.

Lately Gibson has gotten the reputation of charging 'boutique handmade' prices for a product which has steadily declined in quality since the 70's-80's. If someone were looking to purchase a NEW guitar and get that OLD Les Paul/SG sound, what should they do? Put their duckets on the line and take a risk with a new Gibson, or grab an Agile for not too much money? Assume that in either case the guitar in question is being used for wood and construction only as the stock pickups/electronics will be swapped out and completely overhauled from start to finish.

So who brings the goods? :checkthisout:
 
The Agiles that I've played were just ok...good guitars but nothing special. I would personally play a bunch of Gibsons and find "that" special one...they're out there. I would never order a new Gibson without playing it first (or having a return policy/agreement) though...way too hit-or-miss.
 
most 2000's gibsons I've tried were superior to 70's ones and just as good as a PRS or something equivalent
I hate the chambering thing, though, I love the aged look of a Norlin
 
I don't think on average that Agile is even close to Gibson for quality. They aren't bad for the money, but still need all the electronics upgraded to be good.

There are definitely better comparisons to make; Gibson vs. Heritage vs. Hamer for example.
 
I had an Agile AL3000 LP. Good construction, decent hardware and plays well but dull sounding. Did some pup swaps and only improve it some but still stuck with the wood. Put in EMGs and they took the wood out of the equation and it did better. 3 years later the neck warped. Oh well.
 
I had the Agile 3500 for years before I sold it, but during that time I had guys with Gibson Standards & Custom's really dig it, the thing sounded great through pretty much any amp, and never had a problem with intonation or tuning. I try Gibson's every time I go into a music shop and always think "meh, not for what they charge". I think the Plek has made 'em a bit better, cause I always felt the fretwork was terrible, and knowing how much it costs to make it and the price paid for them by stores BEFORE markup didn't help either. :aww:
 
I never played an Agile, but as a cash strapped Gibson fan, I'll be watching this thread closely :yes:
 
Just checked out Agile's site for the first time in a while, looks like the 3000 models with the maple caps all have that "heel-less" neck joint too :rock:
 
in my opinion the agiles are great guitars for the money. if i were comparing a guitar to a gibson though i would look into the edwards guitars. they are made in japan, and so far the few i have played were phenomenal, and they are very reasonably priced too compared to gibsons.
 
edwards > gibson

hell even epiphones i have played sounded and played better than gibson's, and i dont even like les pauls.
 
MYLILSS":26qqyebk said:
in my opinion the agiles are great guitars for the money. if i were comparing a guitar to a gibson though i would look into the edwards guitars. they are made in japan, and so far the few i have played were phenomenal, and they are very reasonably priced too compared to gibsons.
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Never played one, but I was thinking this as well.
 
Priceless.

glpg80":2ymsdzyz said:
edwards > gibson

hell even epiphones i have played sounded and played better than gibson's, and i dont even like les pauls.
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navigator>edwards>gibson

navigators are built by the ESP custom shop
 
I honestly haven't played a bad Gibson Les Paul yet. I'm talking new production ones. They were all great guitars. Don't care for their 'lower end' guitars at all, but I've heard people finding incredible LP Studios and Explorers.

Honestly, the only thing that ticks me off about Gibson are their prices.

I have an Edwards Les Paul Custom. It's a terrific guitar and a great alternative to a Gibson. Can't speak for Agile... never played one.
 
Vrad":cq30toou said:
I honestly haven't played a bad Gibson Les Paul yet. I'm talking new production ones. They were all great guitars. Don't care for their 'lower end' guitars at all, but I've heard people finding incredible LP Studios and Explorers.

Honestly, the only thing that ticks me off about Gibson are their prices.

I have an Edwards Les Paul Custom. It's a terrific guitar and a great alternative to a Gibson. Can't speak for Agile... never played one.
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i have heard mixed results from agile....i would not trust it to be honest. last i heard they have alot of little details that are not taken care of - the fine tooth comb kind of things in a guitar you would have to be looking for to find.

....things i found in my brand new ESP M-II that should not be there :doh:
 
glpg80":357bspfe said:
Vrad":357bspfe said:
I honestly haven't played a bad Gibson Les Paul yet. I'm talking new production ones. They were all great guitars. Don't care for their 'lower end' guitars at all, but I've heard people finding incredible LP Studios and Explorers.

Honestly, the only thing that ticks me off about Gibson are their prices.

I have an Edwards Les Paul Custom. It's a terrific guitar and a great alternative to a Gibson. Can't speak for Agile... never played one.
Click to expand...

i have heard mixed results from agile....i would not trust it to be honest. last i heard they have alot of little details that are not taken care of - the fine tooth comb kind of things in a guitar you would have to be looking for to find.

....things i found in my brand new ESP M-II that should not be there :doh:
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Well it's a $200 guitar... right?
Can't expect $2000 guitar fit and finish on it. I wouldn't. But on a $3k Les Paul or your ESP, that would be unacceptable.
 
I have owned 3 Gibson Les Pauls thru the years. One of them a Custom shop.
Played an Agile this summer and liked it better. But the pauls I had....had very fat necks on them. The Agile had a Slimmer neck and played great.
It had motorcity pickups in it and sounded great thru my rig.
The very same day I played a Gibson les paul that had a Slim neck on it and it was ROCKING!
So I guess each model or year is different on the Pauls?
I am more of a super strat guy but want another Les Paul some day.
But going to play it first and not blindly buy it on Ebay....unless its a kick ass deal! :lol: :LOL:
:thumbsup:
 
Mailman1971":2d7ygo8m said:
I have owned 3 Gibson Les Pauls thru the years. One of them a Custom shop.
Played an Agile this summer and liked it better. But the pauls I had....had very fat necks on them. The Agile had a Slimmer neck and played great.
It had motorcity pickups in it and sounded great thru my rig.
The very same day I played a Gibson les paul that had a Slim neck on it and it was ROCKING!
So I guess each model or year is different on the Pauls?
I am more of a super strat guy but want another Les Paul some day.
But going to play it first and not blindly buy it on Ebay....unless its a kick ass deal! :lol: :LOL:
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

So years ago, when I was considering an R7 or R8, I played a bunch of them. The one's with the big fat neck consistently sounded amazing... The ones with the 1960 slim taper, were pretty good, but no where near the fat-necked ones.

Thus, despite having the hands of a 12 year old girl, I would have to go with the fat-necked LP if I ever got around to getting one... LOL! :D
 
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