Agile AS2500HC Valkyrie

All the features of this guitar have already been listed, so I'm not going to be redundant and list them. However, as Rondo claims that these have maple necks, I believe mine is made of mahogany, since I recently put a chip in the finish at the headstock, and the wood is definetley a darker mahogany hue. Doesn't look like the lighter maple wood. I guess this doesn't really matter though. Pretty standard features for a 2 humbucker guitar

I play this guitar through a Peavey classic 50 head with either a 2x12 or 4x12 cabinent, and your standard bevy of effects (overdrive, fuzz, wah, phase, flange, delay, etc.) Played acoustically, the guitar has a nice sustain to it. This quality remains through amplification, however the stock pickups are very generic sounding. Not bad, mind you, just generic. They would probably work well through a modelling setup, but for my uses they dont cut it. I replaced the pickups with a DiMarzio Tone Zone in the bridge, and a GFS Retrotron Austin in the neck, and it improved the tone tenfold. I can now achieve everything from raging rock tones, singing blues sounds, smoky jazz tones, and chimy clean tones, with varying pickup and gain selections. So I rate it a 6 before the pickup change and a 9 afterwards, so 7.5 to split the difference.

When I recieved the guitar the action was slightly high. A quick turn of the trussrod, and lowering of the bridge remedied that situation. The intonation was pretty close. Nice smooth fretwork, and relatively clean inlays with little filler. Pretty impressive for an inexpenmsive instrument purchased online, as I had to do little setup work. There were no noticable flaws in the finish, and tope rate hardware (grover tuners, and solid tuneomatic bridge and stop tailpeice). However, the electronics are lacking. As I said I had to replace the generic sounding pickups, and the toggle switch broke after about a month. Aslo the pots don't instill that much confidence within me.

Well, this guitar has withstood a year of live playing, with no signs of quit yet. the only issue (minor) is that it has developed a hairline crack in the finish near the input jack. I would never gig without a backup (you never know when you'll break a string) This is a solid guitar that will serve me for years to come.

Overall this is a tremendous value for a 99 dollar guitar (I got it on the rondo closeout). Is it as good as a gibson, no, but I feel the quality of this guitar is comprable to any of the Korean setneck scheters, esps, and ibanezs. After investing $80 in new pups (which I though was neessary, but you modelling dudes may like 'em stock) I have a perfectly gigging instrument, which actually has become my #1. so $180 compared to at least $400 for a comprable schecter or esp, and I'd say this axe is a pretty darn good deal!!

This is the symmetrical "blunt horn" version of the Agile SG-type solid body. Most of the previous posters have pretty much nailed the features, so I won't repeat all that. However, I bought this because I like the looks BETTER than the Gibson SG. After looking at a few Gibsons and Epiphones in local stores, I'm convinced that I made a good choice.

It's a great value, and it sounds pretty good, but I still plan to swap the pickups out in the future. At this price, you can afford to experiment with mods.

It's as well made as any Gibson, and better than the Epiphones. No discernable flaws, great action, excellent finish and detail.

Although it seems well-built, I haven't had it long enough to provide a rating here.

It doesn't get any better than Rondo for customer service (I've bought other guitars from them), but I bought this used, so I won't rate here.

I've been playing for 40 years. I've owned three Gibson SGs in the past, and I like this as well or better than any of them. Mine were from the '60s and '70s, so I'm not comparing this to the new stuff. With the exception of the pickups/electronics, it stands up well against 'em all. It sounds good, plays great, looks great, and didn't cost an arm and a leg. What more could you ask? I would buy another in a heartbeat, should something happen to this one. Now finding another one.......there's the problem!

New - 2004 I believe. Made in Korea. 22 Frets. Solid mahogany - nicely matched! Looks like 1 solid piece, but upon closer examination it's 3 pieces. 2T/2V/3Way 2 Ceramic Magnet Agile humbuckers. Neck is Maple, I believe. Transparent red/cherry finish with no flaws. SG style body - but not a dead rip off. This is the old style with shorter/not as pointed horns, open book (not the new flag style) headstock. Creme neck/headstock binding. Cheap pearloid inlays. Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge. Medium frets Gibson scale. Rosewood fretboard.

Hard punk.. suits it wonderfully. I own both a Fender Stage 160 and a Roland Micro-Cube.. it's very quiet (no hum at all) for a budget guitar. The pickups are wax potted, so no feedback at reasonable levels of play. Bright beautiful sound. Harmoics jump out.. which is what I like. What I don't like is the strings that came with it - light and already worn out. Old strings kill tone, or at least the tone I'm looking for. I may but a higher output ceramic based bucker in the bridge, I'm not sure. For what I paid for this I can afford to make some upgrades.. which aren't essential.. but they'll help make it a great guitar.

Action came a little low - with a few buzzes. However, the week I bought this it was 80 degrees when it shipped from NJ.. the next day when it came to me here in Central NY it was in the mid 50's. This is what caused the low action - the truss rod needed a slight tweak. I tweaked it, and it's fine. Not Rondo's fault. Inlays were well set with only very little filler evident. I got this for $100, I think Rondo had to clear out the old, obvious Gibson SG copies. The newer Valkyries don't have a symetric body style, or headstock.. this does. The rosewood fretboard isn't super high quality, but it's very attractive.. on some Squiers and Epi's there are actual open pores in the rosewood from either no filler or a poor filling job.. this contains none of this. Light chocolate coloured with dark stripes - attractive. I'm very happy with this category, over all.

This guitar could withstand a nuclear blast. The hardware will last - name brand tuners.. and tune-o-matic bridges (if maintained) will last forever. The finish is probably poly, which is like plastic, so it'll last. The strap buttons are oversized! I love that. Kudos to Rondo for realizing what players need. The pots aren't noisey.. but I'm a bit hesitant to trust and low priced electronics. I'd depend on this guitar, however, only a fool would gig without a backup. No guitar is 100% reliable. They're like cars.. even a brand new BMW can blow a tire.

Rondo is great. Period. No clue about warrantys.. I bought an SX Tele from him which shipped with a problem and he was going to help me with it.. but I didn't wanna have to send it back and fixed it myself. I sorta just stopped replying to his e-mails. lol But he would have taken care of me - that's why I keep going back. It's very personal, you're dealing with a real human.. not autoformatted e-mails.

I've been playing about 7 years, I own an Agile LP JR, an SX Tele, A Fender Cyclone HH with Duncan Invader, a Fender (modified to the max with a Lace Hemi humbucker and 2 chrome domes Warmoth ebony/birdseye neck, Sperzels) Standard Strat, a butchered mid 60's Gibson SG with Gibson 57 Classic Plus and Epi neck pup, an Epiphone G-400 Custom with Gibson 490 series pips, a stock Cort Strat, a Washburn bass, and a Washburn acoustic D-36S. I already told of my amps.. which I use with a Boss DS-1. I doubt you'll get one for the price I did, not sorry though, just EXTREMELY happy that I got one new for cheap. Like I said, I think Rondo had to get rid of the obvious Gibson SG copies. They usually sell for between $199 and $249 - which they're worth.. but I'm poor and cheap (which comes with being poor, I guess). I tried to not make this a 'glowing review' because it is 100% honest. It's not a $1200 Gibson SG Standard.. but I love it more than my Epiphone G-400 Custom - which cost $500 plus $250 in upgrades. So, I should be a little upset that I wasted that much just to play a $100 guitar more.. but.. well.. I'm not. It's a great machine - which I've just decided to name Red.

SG-style guitar. Grover tuners (wow!). Nice humbuckers with individual controls.

Noiseless pickups; sounds superb for muted jazz style, or all-out rock.

Sounds incredible with .011 - guage strings. Stays in tune better than facrory 10's; strings are louder and last longer, while still remaining ridiculously comfortable to play.

Takes punishment and stays in tune.

Excellent - all Rondo customers seem unanimous on that point.

I wish to point out some additional observations about the body style. There seem to be differences depending on the model year, but none of these models seems to be an "exact" copy of the SG. The "horns" on my model seem to be "sharper" than those in the pictures on the site. Other internet reviewers have alluded to the differences between these "horns" and the actual SG horns; I am certain that the horns are NOT symmetrical - one "overhangs" farther than the other. Most importantly, as no one else seems to have pointed out, the body itself does not seem to be symmetrical either. The Agile has an "oblong" bout (think "difference between a Jazz Bass and a Precision Bass.") Not to say there is anything "wrong" with this, or that it wouldn't be mistaken for an SG at twenty paces, but I believe the Gibson SG is perfectly symmetrical, and this baby is not.

One of the last lefties (righties sold out) of the '03 stock according to Rondo, who say they don't know about future production of this model. That, combined with the sale price of just $199 and the fact I play a lot of AC/DC material with my band which makes having an SG feel like a must made me jump on this puppy right away even though I had already just bought the Agile CSB 2800 DLX Les Paul copy (review posted). In fact, being so impressed with that was another clincher for moving for the Valkyrie -- I had been looking at the Epiphone G400 SG, but as with the Agile Les Pauls, why pay more for the Epis when Agile is just as good if not better?

The previous reviewer has accurately listed the specs, so no need to reinvent the wheel there. Suffice it to say, the Valkrie is part of the 2500 series, so the same specs apply to all. For anyone who doesn't know, Agiles are made in Korea to very high quality standards in my experience. Good luck finding another guitar with a set neck, crown inlays, Grover tuners, pickup covers, and as nice a finish for the same price -- especially in a lefty. As far as I know, they ain't out there.

My Valkyrie arrived in flawless shape. I paid $49 extra for the case, which I advise doing -- you need one anyway, most 2nd hand ones run around $40 so you're not saving much going that route, and the fact that the guitar ships in the case is valuable insurance against damage.

There is one little thing with the appearance of mine: the "horns" of the double cutaway are a little shorter than a classic SG -- it almost looks more like a double cutaway Les Paul, albeit with the same pointy "horn" shape of the SG. It's a very minor cosmetic detail most people probably would never notice, though it may bother purists who demand an exact replica. The funny thing is, the pic Rondo sent me of this model shows a more exact replica SG shape to the cutaways, so I wonder why mine is just a little bit different -- did they use a different template at the factory or something?

Anyway, like I said, it's a very minor thing -- certainly nothing to lose sleep over for such a great bargain. The guitar is otherwise flawless and very well constructed. Very nice classic SG natural dark cherry finish with black pickguard.

Like my 2800 DLX, this thing sounds great. Bridge pickup (which is the one I use at least 95% of the time) very bright with a real "cut." Not as much low end as a Les Paul, but that goes for any SG. Neck pickup has that typical mellow tone which is good for some leads, not quite as woolly as the neck pickups can get on most Les Pauls. Whether this is due to the ceramic pickups versus alnicos, the body construction, or whatever, I don't know. The other guitar player in my band has a Gibson Firebird (best looking guitar ever in my opinion, if Agile ever make one in a lefty I'll be on it like a shot), and the Valkyrie sounds very similar I think.

I'm not as picky as many players, so take that into account. My main criterion is: Does it rock? This does. Purists may nitpick, I don't. The previous reviewer changed the stock pickups, that's his choice but I don't think that's necessary. As far as I'm concerned, this thing sounds great straight through my Marshall JCM 800 100W half stack.

Suprisingly good setup straight out of the box. Intonation seems spot on. Action pleasingly low, no real fret buzz. Neck dead straight. Hardware immaculate. Everything works as it should. What more can you ask for?

I've only had it a short time and haven't played out with it yet, so I'll have to give a no comment here though I have every confidence in this guitar. It stays in tune like a dream, which is the first standard of reliability I look to meet having had problems in this area with other guitars.

As a general rule, never gig without a backup -- everyone who's ever popped a string mid-set with nothing to grab will tell you how much fun it isn't sitting on the edge of the stage frantically changing the string with your bandmates and the audience waiting, not to mention enduring the stretching-in process with the new string.

I've only had positive dealings with Rondo, so take that into account. I know some reviewers here claim to have experienced difficulties with them over problem transactions. I can only say they've been great to me and I wouldn't hesitate to keep dealing with them.

As with all Agiles, there's no warranty, so bear that in mind if that's important to you (it isn't to me).

C'mon. It's a $200 guitar. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great. What more do you want?

If you want to drop mega bucks on a high end model, go ahead. Of course the Valkyrie isn't going to blow away a Gibson SG, but you have to compare like with like. If you can find a better guitar out there with the same features for $199 or less, go for it. I bet you won't though.

I've been playing for 20 years. My main guitar is an '87 Gibson Les Paul Custom. I also have the Agile Les Paul and now the Valkyrie, plus a Washburn HB-35 and an Epiphone Les Paul 100. In my opinion, Agile holds its own with all of them. This company makes high quality guitars for incredibly low prices. I really can't imagine there's better value out there. These beauties are a well kept secret, but word is surely spreading. I advise you to jump on these things now before the price starts going up.

This is a Very Clean copy of the SG Gibson. This is a solid body guitar with dual cut aways. This is a Korean made guitar with 22 frets. The body is made of real maple top, a solid mahogany body with a set neck. It also has a Rosewood fret-board and 24.7" scale length.This guitar is absolutely beautiful. The controls are 2 volume and 2 tone with a 3 way selector switch. It has 2 humbucking pick ups with chrome covers. I don't know what brand these are. The body style is identical to the Gibson SG Standard. It has the crown type trapizoid inlays on the fret board with Jumbo frets. The turners are the Grover tuners with 18-1 ratio for ultra fine tuning which stays in tune better than my Les Paul Custom.

I own 2 Les Pauls and I wanted to purchase a Gibson SG Standard. I have heard through the years that copies are being made better than they were 30 years ago. After about a year of thinking, I decided to jump in and take the chance on this guitar. And I'm glad I did. When I first bought it, I went in with the intentions of replacing the strings, pick ups, and having the guitar set up for my style of playing. ( The Action ) So having this in mind, I recieved my guitar and took it out of the double box. It was beautiful. I plugged it in my Acoustic 150 amp, turned on my Art SGX2000 effects processor and it sounded good. The neck pup was a very clean and warm sound. The bridge pup was very good also. Lots of treble. But I really wanted more of a classic rock sound. So I brought it down to my guitar man and he replaced the neck pup with Seymour Duncan 59 pup. He also replaced the bridge pup with a Dimarzio DP151 PAF Pro pup. He set the action very low. ( NO BUZZ ) Now when I got my SG copy back, I plugged it back in my amp and,,, WOW,, What a difference!!! This guitar really rocks!! I could not believe this. It's just like having the real Gibson in your hands. WOW. Very smooth playing. Fast action neck and very good sound. The sustain on this is excellent!!

I have read many comments on the factory set adjustments. I wasn't really happy with it. I think it came with a set of .10 strings. I put Gibson Plus .09 strings on it. ( I like the .09's better ) The action was buzzing on the 6th string around the 3 to 6 frets. The pups looked lower than normal. I really never tried to readjust them. There were no flaws on it what so ever. I paid $ 3000.00 for my Les Paul Custom back in 1991 and it had flaws on the neck and headstock.

I haven't had it for too long now, but I am sure that it will last just as long or longer as my Les Pauls. The hardware will last also. It has the chrome stop bar on it. I will definately use this guitar as my main guitar. IT STAYS IN TUNE!! My Les Paul doesn't even do that!! I plan on buying another SG from them. This time it will be a copy of the SG supreme!! And I plan to also change the pups on that too.!!

I have sent several e-mails to Rondo Music and Kurt there, had no problem answering my questions. With this I have to rate it a 10. Had no problems and he was very helpful.

I guess the overall rating would be Fantastic. I understand that some people love the stock pups on these models. I had other thoughts in mind when I bought it. If it were stolen or lost, I sure would buy another today!! With the Gibson SG Standard, I wouldn't be able to afford to just spend $ 1500.00 on another one. The guitar is light, weighs about 6lbs or so. Very balanced. If you played one, you would think that you were playing a Gibson. Especially mine now.