Quality cheap LP copies?

[notCardio]

A while back, somebody had posted a link to a company that make cheap LP copies (as well as other styles, I think) that were supposedly fairly high quality. I think they were made in Canada, but I wouldn't swear to it. I printed it out, but like everything else, I can't find it. Does anyone recall this thread? I think the LP's even had ebony fretboards. Of course, for all I know, this could've been spam.

While I'm on the subject, sort of, is there anyway to save a thread to your pc?

ADD sucks. I think I'm gonna use that as my signature line now.

[philpereira]

i dont recall that thread, but there's a company called rondomusic that sells agile guitars (exclusively i believe). from what i've heard, they are very good copies of les pauls, constructed out of mahogany and the whole bit, and half the price of epiphones. there's a little bit of a difference between the body shapes (for legal reasons). like i said, i've heard nothing but good things about them, so it would be worth checking them out.

[notCardio]

I'm not really sure if that's the one or not, but it could be. If so, they've redesigned the web site since I saw them last. Don't know where I got the idea they were Canadian, unless this isn't what I'm thinking of.

Thanks anyway. Anyone else who can confirm or deny?

[AlfredB]

look into older ARIA o ARIA PRO II LP copies ...

i got a '73 and its a sweet guitar!
alfred

[MadAudio]

I recall a thread about a PRS LP guitar that was discontinued because of a lawsuit by Gibson. But I don't think those were all that cheap. Anyone else remember that one?

[AlfredB]

Originally Posted by MadAudio

I recall a thread about a PRS LP guitar that was discontinued because of a lawsuit by Gibson. But I don't think those were all that cheap. Anyone else remember that one?

well those go at ridiculous prices now on ebay ... just put "lawsuit" in the title and people are dropping their pants ....

[Buck62]

Originally Posted by AlfredB

well those go at ridiculous prices now on ebay ... just put "lawsuit" in the title and people are dropping their pants ....

Not really.

You guys are referring to the Korean-made PRS Tremonti SE single cut.

They went up a bit in price, but nothing too rediculous. Somebody was trying to sell one on this forum in the past month or two, as I recall.

[philboyd studge]

Tokai 'Love Rock', the lawsuit ones from 1980 or so. Amazing, but they're not cheap anymore.

[gvarko]

Originally Posted by MadAudio

I recall a thread about a PRS LP guitar that was discontinued because of a lawsuit by Gibson. But I don't think those were all that cheap. Anyone else remember that one?

Before the lawsuit, I bought one for $368 with tax and gig bag.. It was a good guitar for the money..

Check these out, I see them on EBay all the time and have heard good things about them. They are owned by the same company that makes the OLP line:

http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/archtops/patriotq/

[notCardio]

While I appreciate all the helpful suggestions, I was trying to recall a specific manufacturer that had been discussed. The Agile might have been it, but the selections look different than before. Like I said, it's been awhile back, and they've probably just changed their models, not to mention their website and the pics they used for their guitars. I still can't get over the feeling that they were Canadian made, or maybe the company was just Canadian. Or maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

[WERNER 1]

I actually have this model, and as skeptical I was about it going in, I'm very, very satisfied with it!

I've had mine for over a year now, and I almost didn't even get it because all of the "Pre-Orders" were already sold! Basicly they were all gone before they even got in the country!

I kept thinking ...OK, I'll get it and put some Semour Duncan's in there, and have the whole thing re-wired...blah, blah......The thing sounds Killer bone stock!

Here's the link, and the price has went up 150 bucks since I bought mine (Mine is the 3000 prestige)

http://www.rondomusic.net/al3500presthsb.html


PS- Just to clarify, I also own a Jackson soloist that was custom made for me out of the CA shop. I also have a 64 Gibson SG standard, a BC Rich, and a Kramer Striker 300 ST(Totaly re-worked )..........So I do know a little bit about "Good" guitars.

Rick

[DogFood]

There is a gold top Ibanez circa 1980 les paul rip off sitt'n in the local guitar store...$1200.00 I played that beaut'...nice. You can bet yer thongs that sucker didn't cost that new. And Gibson didn't cotton to Ibanez building better guitars than they could. Insta-Law-Suit.

[Buck62]

First of all, the words "quality" and "cheap" don't belong in the same sentence when it comes to guitars... you get what you pay for.

The Agile guitars look nice, but they're like a big, fancy car with an under-powered engine... all show and no go. You'll end up swapping out the pickups, pots and switch before you have good tone and quality parts that can withstand gigging on a regular basis. What kind of bargain is that???

That being said, I believe the best LP-style guitar for under $500 is the Yamaha AES-620.

It's a great value for the money and plays and sounds incredibly good.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...23450,00.html#

[notCardio]

Buck62,
As I said, I wasn't looking for a quality, cheap LP copy per se, but someone once claimed they had found one, and I was trying to recall what it was.

Werner 1,

That's actually one of the ones I was considering because of the ebony fretboard. So, do you know for sure whether the pickups will swap out or not?

[onlyfingers]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, WERNER1, I was wondering about the pickups in the whole range of Agiles. They range from Ceramic in the 2500, to Alnico 2, to P90s, to Wilkinson Type V (in the AL3000M Prestige that I am interested in). So, if I want sort of a Mike Bloomfield sound, (and sometimes a Link Wray/Dick Dale surf-music tone) would I go for the Alnico Type V, which I think your guitar has, or should I be aiming for something else?

Also, how long have you had it, and how do you like it. Cardiopotent wants to replace the pickups right away, but you accept the stock pickups. Have you thought about swapping out pickups?

Thanks.

[notCardio]

Actually I don't know that I want to, as I haven't heard them, but I want to make sure that I have the OPTION to.

And wouldn't you want single coils for surf?

[onlyfingers]

Cardioidpotent: I don't know single coils or not. Of those I mentioned, which are single coils? P90s? And do single coils still give the sort of "richer" Bloomfield sound? Give a choice, I'd skip surf, or do it all with reverb and treble.

[WERNER 1]

Like I already stated, I was ready to swap out the pickups, pots,switch,jack, and wiring as soon as I received it...........That was until I played it.

I mean I had the cash set aside for everything to be done.......luckly I hadn't already bought the pickups yet. (I don't recall what I was going to get, I think like a JB(SH-4) in the bridge, and a pearly gates or a 59' in the neck..)

To answer the swap question, yes they will swap out (Humbucker = Humbucker...no matter which way you slice it. )

Fingers - The one I have has the Wilkinson's in it. Not quite as hot as my other guitars, (I've got SD SH-6 and a PA TB1b (Distortion Trembucker w/ par. axis) ) But hotter than my stock gibsons on my 64 SG.....by a long shot.

Sound - Well I'm not sure exactly what the Mike Bloomfield sound is, but if you give me a band/album I'll check it out. If I had to sum it up, I'd say that it's a bit brighter sounding than you'd think a LP should be. I had an 82 Silver burts Custom w/ebony f.b., and it had your typical dark LP sound.....This one is a lot brighter in my opinion.....I'll chalk it up to the pups. The open chords really ring out on this thing and it plays great. (It did need a set up which is no biggy ) The finish is amazing. I did have one pot that was a bit scratchy, but I cleaned it and it's been fine ever since

As for the guitar it's self......I really love it! It's a very good bang for you buck type axe, and it's better than it's "Epi" counter part.

Rick

[Ptownkid]

There is a canadian guitar company called Godin, amazing guitars at a fraction of the price...

www.godinguitars.com

[onlyfingers]

Thanks, Werner1.

Amazon gives you a taste:
Check out track 3 "I've Got a Mind to Give Up Living" on East West from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, or track 5 "Work Song." (Elvin Bishop played guitar in the Paul Butterfield Band, too. The segment of Work Song on Amazon for sure is Mike Bloomfield. The liner notes don't specify about track 3.) Either way, I like the sound.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...063245-1855817

[onlyfingers]

Cardioidpotent

Maybe Barracuda?

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Barracuda/

[notCardio]

Onlyfingers:

Surf music is traditionally almost always single coils. Yes, P-90's are single coils, but a completely different sound than the single coils in a Strat, which is what most early surf music was done on. Dick Dale, Beach Boys, etc.

The only pictures I've ever seen of Mike Bloomfield playing, it was always either a 335 or an LP, meaning humbuckers. Same with Elvin Bishop, btw.

Too bad we can't put a sticky with a continually updated list of what famous players used to achieve certain sounds, since that gets asked almost as often as 'what's the best mic under $200'.

And they didn't have any pics, but I don't think it was Barracuda. I think that name would've triggered my memory. I love that song.

No, it wasn't Godin either. I've played them before though ( but never through an amp, so I can't vouch for thier tone) and I have been impressed with their quality. Just never found one that floated my boat, except for the a/e's, which I've just never been able to justify spending that much on for me, yet. The Godins may be an excellent value, but the ones I've seen were anything but cheap.

And Werner 1, just so you know, there are, or at least there used to be, cheap guitars out there that the pickups were NOT directly replaceable with aftermarket or 'stock sized' pickups without routing the body. Be forewarned.

[WERNER 1]

Ah,, thanks for the heads up!

I've not had a chance to check out the sound clips yet...maybe today...

Rick