Agile AL2900

2005 Korean ~ 22 hand filed frets ~ High quality Maple top ~ Solid mahogany arch top body with hollowed out sound chamber - (no F holes).
Looks just like a Les Paul except for the head shape.
3-way switch, 2 volume, 2 tone.
Alnico passive neck and bridge humbuckers.
2-pc Canadian Maple set neck with dual action truss rod.
Mother-of-pearl inlays, Indian Rosewood fretboard.
18:1 Grover Tuners, non-locking.
All black finish with ivory colored single bindings.
7 lbs.

Has everything I want + more.

Included were a neck allen wrench (that doesn't actually fit) and a pre-cut graphite nut.

I play daily for my own enjoyment, once in awhile with friends, anything that comes to mind, using many different effects from the Boss-30 ME and the Fender Roc Pro. It suits me like no other.
The sound is very hot (loud). I can't turn any volumes up past 2 (guitar OR amp) in my house. Won't play through my 15W Peavey into headphones, just way too hot and noisy, but when it's run without headphones... just awesome.
Rich/Full sound? Bright sound? ~ Yeah, ALL those depending on your settings, but it's capable of pulling anything off, I think.
What kind of sounds can this guitar make? (weird question, but...)
I haven't been able to get it to sound like any barnyard animals... if that's what you mean....but I did get it to say: "I love you" with the wah-wah. ;)
Might swap the pups for some Duncans in the future, but there's really no reason to at this point

Was concerned that maybe the hollowed-out body might affect sustain or anything, but that was moot, this thing sounds great.

One of the finest finishes I've seen on a guitar of this price.
The set neck is perfect, the only thing I really had to do was drop the bridge a touch for my taste in action, and reset the intonation, and was good to go. The stock ghs .010 strings were almost in tune, even.
I haven't been able to find anything really worth mentioning on finish flaws. I mean, just about perfect. I'm totally impressed with mine. Real mother of pearl inlays, hand finished frets, beautiful black finish, nicely shaped head... and comes with a carved graphite nut if I ever want to change it out. The bone nut is fine so, I'll just keep the spare someplace sure to be lost.
When I lowered the action, I got a very minor buzz at the bridge for some reason, and only when I'm not amped. I'm writing that off to old strings maybe, but I can't hear it when I'm plugged in.

The only thing that sorta is a drag is that the hollowed-out body makes it a little neck heavy. Don't notice it sitting, obviously, but I do standing. And at 7 lbs, it still hurts after awhile.

Considering the price, and they don't have a 9.5 rating, I must give this a 10. If it cost 4 times more, I'd still give it a 10.

Would this withstand live playing ? Good question. It seems pretty solid to me, but it's so pretty, I'd hate to ding it at a gig.
I'm even leery of taking it out of my house.
The finish is beautiful, and I really don't want to see how 'tough' it is, that day will probably come soon enough.
The strap buttons are a bit shallow for my strap, so if you're gigging, you should probably replace them.
I removed the back volume/tone cover to check the wiring, it's neatly done, with shielded cable, film tone caps, but not Orange Drops (more like 'Brown Drops')

I'd use it without a backup, sure. But I have a backup anyway. My Ibanez RS-240. Like the Agile much better.

Rondo Music seems to be reputable and the only place I've seen for Agiles. You can check them out on eBay, but I haven't seen many complaints, and I certainly have none.
Don't know about the warranty. Not a consideration. I'd rather have it fixed locally if it breaks, and if it DID break, it'd probably be my fault.
Since the guitar fulfilled the expectations I had from their advertising (and then some), and that they responded to my purchase almost immediately, and it was shipped in double boxes successfully, I'll give them a 10 rating.

Been playing (at it) for about 34 years, mostly acoustic until the last couple of years. Other guitars are: Ibanez RS-240 with Duncans, and a Shane 24 fret cheapie that blows me away by its playability. Fender Roc Pro hybrid amp with original pedal, Madison Symphony 12" x 2 cab, Peavey Rage 158 Transtube bedroom amp, Boss ME-30 effects.

I love this guitar, if one can actually love an inanimate object. I would replace it in a heartbeat. But I'd probably go one step higher to a 3000M, just to see if this could even be improved on.

Only thing I don't like: it's a neck heavy somewhat, and at 7 lbs, still heavy on my shoulder/neck. Thinking that may be the weight imbalance. Different strap may help that.

If you're thinking of getting an LP clone, you can't go wrong with an Agile, imho. If you don't like it, just show it to someone who's looking for an LP clone and it'll probably be sold on the spot.

I have two friends who have Epiphone LP's, and they both hate them, and you'll probably see them on eBay directly. I can't wait to show them this thing. Not to gloat or anything... ;)
yeah, right.

Features should be listed on rondomusic website, i think they are the only retailer of Agile guitars. Basic 22 fret, les paul copy but the AL2900 has a chamberd body and weighs in 3 lbs lighter than the other models.

This guitar is one of the best sounding guitars i have ever played. I owned an epiphone les paul but this blows it away. The stock pups are not bad for the money, a tad noisy but very hot - a little bassy and muddy for my liking but ok, i will probably upgrade to a set of bill lawrences. I run it through a hughes and kettner 60watt combo, this guitar can sing - lovely thick tone - i was expecting the chambered body to brighten the sound a great deal but this guitar can nail that slash sound in seconds. On the clean channel things aren't as great but i upgrade the pickups and you have a winner.

This was where i was suprised. The finish on the guitar was excellent, not one fault. Guitar arrived with medium/high action which does not bother me and IN TUNE. A learner could pick this up out of the box and play. I adjusted the truss rod slightley, lowered the action and intonated the guitar properly. All hardware has been fitted properly, i can't vouch for reliability yet as i have only just got the guitar. The binding and fret work are faultless - i think this is what sets Agile apart.

The guitar seems solid as a rock, i think the hardware should last a few years if well looked after. Finish is a little on the thin side, may mark easily. Nice big strap buttons do the job fine.

Spoke to Kurt about ordered this model and shipping to England, got a good deal on a les paul hardcase as well, served as good protection for flight over as box was a little battered. Kurt was very friendly, replied to my e mails in minutes, keeps you update to date with delivery as well which is very important when you are spending a substantial ammount of money.

I ordered this guitar via rondo music in the usa, i live in north england and 5 days after ordering it - it arrived on my doorstep. The guitar is fantastic for the money, you will struggle to get anything for under ?200 is england of this quality. I think the popularity of these guitars will rocket soon, serach agile on google, they are already getting talked about. I would get one before Gibson get involved or Rondo raise the prices - its hard to believe what you can get for ?200 with international delivery. The best les paul copy i have played!

Recent Korean made Les Paul-ish type of guitar...but so much better than the copies such as Epiphone, Jay Turser or Samick. It might be that Samick actually makes these Agiles...but the quality of the Agiles is so far superior to the other Samick lines. In fact, I equate these Agiles to the Matsumoku (Japan) produced guitars (Ibanez, Electra, Aria, Vantage et al)of the late 70s and early 80s.
This is not a slavish copy. The headstock is original and the cutaway horn is not as sharp as on a Gibson. So, there is no 'lawsuit' situation here. On all other counts it is a Les Paul. Agile makes the 2500, 2800, 2900, 3000 and 3500 series. Each increment in number signifies a boost in quality. Prices range from $250 to $600. Canadian Maple tops ranging from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch thickness. Solid Mahogany bodies and Maple or Mahogany necks. Good pickups and some even have US made wiring components. Bone nuts and Grover tuners. Not bad...not bad at all.....Colors include Honeyburst, Cherry SB, Nat, Gold top, Black etc etc...all of the usual suspects. The 2800 series and up have real MOP or Abalone inlays. Bound necks, bodies and headstocks.....tasty appointments.

The 2900 series is unique in that it has a chambered body which cuts down on the weight. The other models hit in at about 10 pounds...but the 2900 weighs in at just 7 pounds.
Nice finish work, very nice staining and fret work is superb. The pickups are hot...and the 2900 really has some nice tone most likely due to its hollowed out body. It offers a very warm and ringing tone.
I like this guitar very much. I have not owned a Gibson Les Paul since the 80s but I did have one or two copies over the years and this one is a quality piece...I put it on a level with the Epiphone Elitist series but at half the price of a Les Paul Standard Elitist.

When I received the guitar it needed a few turns of the truss rod to take out a bit of the bowing....it adjusted nicely and in good incremental fashion...I had to lower the action and intonate it but nothing more than that...oh, yeah....the switch was over tightened and was cutting the bridge pu out....loosened the washer a bit...and it all kicked in very nicely...and this guitar is pretty quiet to boot.....all in all....a real contender in this Paulish arena.....

seems solid....as solid as any pro guitar out there......
the neck is a real joy to play....very nice articulation all the way up the neck...it looks the part and feels the part...and pretty much sounds like a cross between a Les Paul and a Strat on the middle pu position...but this suits me as I like that sound.....

Rondo Music in Union NJ seems to be the sole supplier of these guitars...and they are very accommodating.....

I would like to buy a Les Paul Smartwood but as I play several instruments my money has to be spread out when purchasing....but until I can afford a Les Paul Smartwood (and even when I do) this Agile AL 2900 will remain as part of my smallish collection of guitars (which includes a Godin Multiac Classical (a real unique guitar)an Ibanez AM73, A Vantage 600 bass from 1981) and now the Agile. If it were lost or stolen and I still couldn't afford the Smartwood...I would buy another one....