AGILE AL3100 GUITAR MODS- (2 OF 2) by GUITARTEC

[guitartec]

@bryansouza I'm with ya man on the cheap axes! Some are just killer. I'll get to that spec vid soon!

[guitartec]

@bryansouza Thx for the kind words. I've been meaning to do a spec comparison vid between the AL & a Gib LP. While there's differences, I'm not sure if they'd matter to most players. I will say that my 73 Custom is not as comfortable to play & weighs a ton, but if you put the effort into playing it, it rewards you w/a religious experience that's absolutely superior in tone to anything else. You have to play them back to back to hear it. The AL is certainly a great daily driver tho.

[KingofPho75]

is the high frets hard to reach

[guitartec]

@KingofPho75 No harder than any LP.

[masterjackie1]

what is a good amp for this guitar :O?

[gbastow]

I'm a big fan of the Agiles. I've had several of them. Once you switch the pickups out on them they are great!

Question: What do you think of the electronics in the Agile Les Pauls? Do you think they should be switched out with better pots and stuff?

[guitartec]

@gbastow Yeah, Agiles are good, solid axes.

IMO... If you're gigging or are a session player, there's some mods you would probably want to do. If your jamming or making utube videos with it, it's fine the way it is, with the exception of the toggle and output jack.

If you want mods and can't do the work yourself, and you don't have any decent techs in your area, you can send or bring it to my shop in RI or MA.

[guitartec]

@thePANGvideos Thanks. Actually, my thumb is most of the problem and thumb picks just make it worse.

[guitartec]

@thePANGvideos You shouldn't change your Tele. This is for us that drop picks.

For me, I have a hand injury... numb fingers.

[guitartec]

@thePANGvideos I appreciate the ideas, however, I've used every conceivable nook on my axes for picks holders. I'm sorta sick of it. The reason why we "find" places to stick/wedge picks on our guitars is because there needs to be REAL place to hold picks. If it were done right, it would look right. And since guitar picks are a real part of playing guitar, I submit that we ought to change our perception of what a guitar should look like (a bit). Just my HO. Thx again for your ideas.

[MiguelOwnzUAll]

Would you recommend a Agile Al-200 or are they not worth it, in sound wise?

[guitartec]

@MiguelOwnzUAll Haven't played one, but I'm sure they're as good as anything in their class for the money. That's based on all the other Agiles I've played.

[guitarplayer1A]

my agile's neck width is 1.3/4 at nut.which nut and bridge i need?please help

[wararox]

i have a question do you know how much it costs to refret?? like an average price that other people charge?? just curious

[ge0metr1x]

wow sounds amazing, and for the price, just wow... i guess i'll have to fine to the frets myself... does anyone know to best method to get great action? File the frets? the site says that the 3100 comes with a hand filed nut and hand filed frets already... which is the entire i'm opting for the more expensive model... i wonder if it makes a difference, if i should just get the cheaper 2000 for half the price if im going to have to file thing myself anyway... hmm, i dont know what to think =/

[punkmusicmetal]

You know this sounds pretty trebly, I mean as opposed to a Gibson or Epi. Is that because of the amps your using (aka, the Fender/Vox have chimey cleans). How well would this chug for say metal tones?

[guitartec]

@punkmusicmetal Sorry dude, my camera's recorded sound sucks. The point of this video is actually to hear how well it plays in tune, which is something you can hear.

I stopped chugging about 20 years ago so my amps are chugless :) There are a few vids on here with Agiles and players that chug pretty good, though.

[punkmusicmetal]

@guitartec Ah yeah, nevermind. I forgot about that, plus youtube compression. Alright. that sounds great. Is this a solid guitar? I'm wary of switching from a name brand like say Ibanez or epiphone, each one I've owned (an S-series, and a les paul custom) has lasted me 4-5 years plus. Would you say the same for one of these?

[guitartec]

@punkmusicmetal It's a solid 1 pc mahogany body and a 1 pc mahogany neck. The 3100's don't come with a maple top like the 3000 series, but more importantly is the 1 pc neck. Most Asian guitars use a 3 pc neck. Even Ibanez uses a thumbnail joint at the top of their necks.

My 3100 also has a double action truss rod, as opposed to Gibson which has a single action compression rod. I'm not sure if current 3100s are coming through with all the same features, so call Rondomusicdotcom and ask.

[DavidRayT]

@guitartec Uhm, not to be mean or anything; but you're incorrect. The only difference between the 3100s and 3000s are the inlays on the fretboard. However, I believe some models of both come without caps.

[guitartec]

@DavidRayT Not sure what I said about 3100s and 3000s that you're referring to as incorrect. Please explain.

[DavidRayT]

@guitartec You said that 3100s don't have maple on the body, as opposed to 3000s. "The 3100's don't come with a maple top like the 3000 series" in a comment directed at punkmusicmetal.

Not trying to nitpick, just informing ya. :D

[guitartec]

@DavidRayT Ahhh... good catch! Thanks, man.

[DavidRayT]

@guitartec No problem! I hope I don't seem like a douche. Lol

[guitartec]

@DavidRayT No, not at all. My bad.

[brian721300]

@punkmusicmetal I have a Epiphone Slash Edition Gold Top and also an Agile 3100. I love them both but if I'm totally honest about it the 3100 sounds and plays better, but I did put Seymour Duncans in the Agile Sh-2 and Sh-4. The Slash has alnico pro 2 Seymour Duncans. Both are really close but I have to give the nod to the Agile.Also the Slash retails for 1000 bucks! The Agile after the pickups 650. Do not fear these guitars, they are great. I was leary of them myself, not any more.

[sewersludgerecords]

LOL!!! Watch as the pick goes flying at 2:09! If I had a quarter every time I did that...

[guitartec]

@sewersludgerecords Guitars should come with built-in pick holders built right into the body, and I don't mean those cheesey spring-loaded plastic kind with the dbl sided tape. I am SICK of looking for the pick I dropped. Can't believe Fender doesn't do it.

[19army56]

@guitartec Try the BRAIN picks. They actually stick to your fingers.

[guitartec]

@19army56 Thanks, yeah, I've seen them. They're cool.

[toiletslayer]

i live in mn how can you get this done for me? i play but dont know anything on what you did but sounds amazing. and how much will i cost. im also left handed if that makes a difference

[guitartec]

@toiletslayer I would have a local Luthier or knowledgeable repairman do it. Ask them to watch my video. If they try to talk you out of it, move on to the next guy.

[GRAVESEED]

still sounds cheap.

[guitartec]

@GRAVESEED Sorry. Maybe the cam corder's audio has something to do with it or the playing.

[godlikecharacta]

@guitartec GRAVESEED is an idiot, this thing sounds better than my gibson les paul studio. Doesn't sound "cheap" to me at all. beautiful playing

[guitartec]

@godlikecharacta Thanks man. I guess ya either like the sound or you don't , but who's to say. I know I Like it! Thanks again!

[pandamanparty]

@guitartec prolly just the amp. u have to consider it sounds great for solid state. think about this thing through a ac30

[guitartec]

@pandamanparty I just played it through a Bogner 4x10, a Fender Blues Deville 4x10, a Roland Cube 60, and an AC15. I liked the Roland for the shop, but all the others were great stage beasts. An AC30 would have been killer.

[nickkellie]

hey man - great video! thanks so much... I may buy one... I am also thinking about the AS-1000... do you have any experience with this guitar? thanks!

Nick

[guitartec]

@nickkellie Thanks. No experience with the AS1K, but if it's like all the other Rondos, it will need the frets dressed and a great set-up.

[mstrtumnus]

Uh oh, Agile shopping now....LOL. Love the chord work actually.

[515xmaggotx515]

you sound like seth rogen lol but great guitar

[DavidRayT]

@515xmaggotx515 Oh no... It's the gearmanndude thing all over again XD

[aligatorsandwitch72]

With the earvana nut do you still intonate at the twelfth fret like normal?

[guitartec]

@aligatorsandwitch72 Yup, and I then temper the scale length to the player's playing style.

[TheBigMclargehuge]

Middle position is like sweet heavy cream.

[guitartec]

@TheBigMclargehuge But it plays like buttah!

[monkymonk6]

Well, for someone who does not play so well, can say the chords you are playing are fantastic! Have one of these Al 3100's myself, and you have her sounding great! May try out a mod or two on it, but she sounds better than the LP Standard that I have. Will pick up my Agile first. Great video!

[guitartec]

@monkymonk6 Thanks, man, I really appreciate that. Have a blast with your Agile!

[watchtheskies]

that body's got to be at least 2 inches thick!, nice guitar

[guitartec]

If anyone needs an upgrade Nashville-style bridge for their Agile, I have 1 left in gold. It should fit right on your stock posts, but a set-up is advised at installation. $30.+ $5 shipping Priority USPS to the lower 48 US states only paid via PayPal. Let me know.

FYI... The stock ABR-1 works okay, but Nashvilles' are better. They are stock on most Gibsons (that aren't reissues). ABR-1s are what was on on all much older Gibsons and all Epis. Not all old stuff is cool!

Dean

Guitartec Repair

[conscript93]

thanks for the video! i dont think i could have found a more helpful video at a better time!!!

[guitartec]

@conscript93 Glad I could help.

[copytekk]

What song were you playing in the beginning (playing clean)? It's beautiful.

[guitartec]

@copytekk - Wow, thanks!!! No particular song here, I was just messin' around. The chords I play I've sorta adopted for their clarity. They are very precise allowing me to bring out certain facets, issues, and anomalies of any guitar when tuned to pitch. This is so I can find out what's wrong with them and correct them. Fun stuff in guitar repair, and it sounds sorta pretty too. Thanks again!

[guitartec]

@guitartec I should have said "this is so I can instantly hear if there are any tuning or intonation issues with the guitar when tuned to pitch.

[guitartec]

The bridge about $30-80 depending on quality, the switch is around $25., The deep washer for the switch is $6., the jack is $7, the plate is $7, the compensated nut is $40-50. (unless you have the proper nut files, expect to pay for the install) the pup bindings are not easily available if you want to switch the color.

Good luck with your mods!

[guitartec]

The bridge about $30-80 depending on quality, the switch is around $25., The deep washer for the switch is $6., the jack is $7, the plate is $7, the compensated nut is $40-50. (unless you have the proper nut files, expect to pay for the install) the pup bindings are not easily available if you want to switch the color.

Good luck with your mods!

[anonazero]

@guitartec i have a mexican tele with the earvana nut. one of the best mods i've ever done!

[guitartec]

The bridge about $30-80 depending on quality, the switch is around $25., The deep washer for the switch is $6., the jack is $7, the plate is $7, the compensated nut is $40-50. (unless you have the proper nut files, expect to pay for the install) the pup bindings are not easily available if you want to switch the color.

Good luck with your mods!

[PrinceOfPunk13]

did u put the gold hardware on? or did it come like this? i know u changed the bridge.

[guitartec]

The gold came stock on this 3100

[imacoolpk]

how much would all of the mods cost?

[guitartec]

Who'd be doing the labor?

[saneideas]

just the cost of parts please...approx? Im about to pick one of these up and i like the mods you made...i can install the pickups and i have a guy for action and intonation....

[flugplatz21]

Don't knock your playing, it was beautiful, tone and note selection, both. I got an Ibanez GAX70 for X-mas, thinking of replacing pups to get the R&R Hoochie Coo, or live JPage mid range crunch. What do you think of this, or the Avion av3 compared to the Agile? I'm thinking the Agile is a really good value, and looks better. I love my cheapy Ibanez, but I don't know about it's pups of agathis body, plus the sound of an LP is just too good. Thanks, and great vids!

[travelinman617]

I have a agile cool cat guitar the jazz model left handed there great

[Blandified]

How does the tuning hold on the Agile? Like it won't go outa tune easily when you bend strings, right?

Great review btw, learned alot! =)

[guitartec]

Thanks for the compliment.

The simple answer is; Yes, my 3100 stays right in tune for the most part, as well as any genuine LP I've owned.

But typically a string slipping out of tune isn't usually a guitar or string's fault- sometimes it is, but very rarely. It's honestly the lack of understanding that makes most string slip.

Sorry for the long-ass answer.

Dean

[Blandified]

Wow, thanks for the speedy response haha. Well, I've been playin' for 2 years now and my only electric is a beginner Silvertone (Which I can bend the 3rd string well but the 2nd drops flat the moment I bend it lol) and I was just looking around for a decent guitar. Tight on money so yah

So the Agile (about $400) is a better buy than other guitars at around $400 also? Because thats about my limit haha.

[guitartec]

The Agile 2500-3100 series is a good LP copy, if a LP is what you are aftert. Ibanez, Schecter, and a slew of other companies make some other styles of killer guitars for $300-$400. You're smart to stay away from buying a trem guitar if you don't think you'll use it.

Good Luck

[Hoopermazing]

With the money you save by buying an Agile, buy some 18:1 locking tuners, you cheap bastard.

[vstyle23]

I love the sound you have. So clean. What are you using as far as equipment?

[guitartec]

Thanks. For equipment, I'm just using the Crate amp and the guitar, no stomp boxes.

The Crate VTX200 has one interesting effect which I'm using; I dialed in a ping/pong delay with a touch of chorus. The cool thing is... just the second part of the delay (the pong along with its regeneration) has the chorus, but not the ping (original note played). That's unique to find in an amp, and it helps you hear the notes better. That's probably what you're hearing. Plus, you got good ears!

[custom944]

how good are the stock pups? im not interested in getting this guitar to sound like a gibson

[LeperKing]

Thanks for posting the video, great demo. So what are the real differences between a Gibson Les Paul and Agile AL-3100 in terms of playability, quality and sound (excluding pickups)?

[guitartec]

Well, within terms of playability, the Agile has a 14 inch radius fingerboard curve as opposed to 12 inch on the LP Custom. At least that's what it specs out to be using my radius gauges. The overall profile of the neck is a tad different, but nothing that's better or worse. Other than that, it's up to each individual to decide if the playability is right for them. There are lots of variables because both companies make several variations that affect playability.

READ ABOVE

[guitartec]

As for quality, the Agile has a polyester finish (not polyurathane) as oppsed to a multi-coat lacquer finish on the paul. In my opinion, the Agile feels cheaper, but once you get used to anything, it's not usually an issue. Also, a poly finish will crack horribly if dropped or banged hard, and is usually unfixable because it's so thick. Blending is just impossible. Lacquer is much thinner and allows the wood to breathe. It's also totally fixable.

[guitartec]

Sound has a lot to do with a lot of different things, but it's mainly the person playing and the amp. I guess I'd have to say that since this AL3100 is all mahogany, it may sound a bit more like an SG, whatever that sounds like.

[guitartec]

Thanks, I really appreciate that! The Agile line is always being updated. Now some of the 3100's are double bound just like a real LP Custom. Wish this one was. :(

[bobbyswamp]

Great demo! Nice guitar playing, too. The more I see and hear about Agile Guitars, the more respect I give 'em. Love the finish on yours. Thanks for the vid!