Members Leftovercrack Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 so i just picked up one of these and i like the Alnico V pick ups they put in but i think it could sound better. has anyone changed pick ups in theirs? (specifically this model and up bc they have diff pups then the others) i want it to sound more like a vintage les paul like my uncle has (not sure of the year but its vintage) and im wondering if gibson pups would get me closer? and if so which ones? i know there's different models but i dont know what the difference is. any help is appreciated bc i just love the sound my uncles guitar has through my rig and while this one sounds good i want it closer to that tone. also can any of the gibson pups be coil split? not that neccesary but ive always been curious as to what that would sound like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lump Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I've got an AL 3000 also. The pickups that come in it are not bad, but sure, they can be improved on. Gibson pickups are a fine option. You could do some research on your uncle's guitar to figure out what type they are and get the same kind. Or they make fine reissue pickups too. Some have coil tap options. That can get you a bit closer to a single coil kind of sound when you want it, but it wouldn't be exactly a single coil vibe. Not better or worse, just different. One thing I will say is that Gibson reissue pickups can be a bit pricey. There are lots of other options out there that cost less and sound just as good. Again, not better or worse, just different. Dimarzio, Seymour Duncan are decent options. I personally like GFS's. Less than half the amount of the gibsons and can still give you that vibe. I have a set or GFS retrotrons in mine. They are not the gibson vibe, more of a gretsche vibe, so I'm not suggesting that model, but they have others that would be close to the tones I think your looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chuppleland3 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 How well do those guitars play? I've looked at some of the Agile les pauls online and thought about picking one up but wasn't sure since I can't really try them out first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JModius Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 How well do those guitars play? I've looked at some of the Agile les pauls online and thought about picking one up but wasn't sure since I can't really try them out first. I've got a 3100 wide with the slightly wider neck and it plays like a dream. Well, at least my dream of what I've always wanted a guitar to feel like. I regret absolutely nothing in buying mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BAXANDALL Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I really enjoy playing my AL-3000 spalted. I noticed in practice yesterday that my pickups are microphonic. I'm not upset really. Just noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rock-lobster Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 so i just picked up one of these and i like the Alnico V pick ups they put in but i think it could sound better. has anyone changed pick ups in theirs? (specifically this model and up bc they have diff pups then the others) i want it to sound more like a vintage les paul like my uncle has (not sure of the year but its vintage) and im wondering if gibson pups would get me closer? and if so which ones? i know there's different models but i dont know what the difference is. any help is appreciated bc i just love the sound my uncles guitar has through my rig and while this one sounds good i want it closer to that tone. also can any of the gibson pups be coil split? not that neccesary but ive always been curious as to what that would sound like i can't comment but i can tell you your sig is funny as hell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brewski Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I like my Agiles but I can tell you nothing is perfect. I changed out the bridge pickup in my AL2000 and I totally ove the sound. The AL3000 pickups or too classic sounding for me and nt quite hot enough for my pull offs and runs to be consistent so I plan on putting the JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the Neck. The Al3000 has an Ebony fretbaord like the Gibson Black Beauty so be careful. I just sold my AL2800 and totaly regret it becuase it had the rosewood fretboard and was a bit smoother in tone. I recommend any of these guitars - they are great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members linthat22 Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have the 3000M and have finally found a bridge pup that compliments it. I'm currently using the APC persuader lead custom pup in the bridge and a SD 59 in the neck. I did use a BL-L500XL in the bridge position, but it didn't compliment the guitar too well. Also the 59 sounds good as a neck pup, but I'm going to replace it with the APC Syrinx sooner or later. btw, the APC persuader lead custom is a hot hot hot pickup and is usually associated with EMG's as far as sound goes. So for what it's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members p4vl Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I've changed the bridge pickup of my al3000 so many times. Let's see; Duncan JB, Dimarzio Super 3, Duncan Custom 5, Anderson HN3+, Rio BBQ and up next is a set of Blackouts. That's all been in the last couple of years, when it was my only guitar. I was not looking for a vintage Les Paul tone, but the only one that actually gave one off was the BBQ. I'd recommend it, though it is a bit pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Critical Ninja Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I own an AL-3100 Silverburst, and I think the pickups sound OK...not happy with the limited range of the tone pots though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DARKMETL/ Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 Heres my spalted AL3000, I put some Gibson 498r/500t p-ups in it that a buddy gave me. ' alt='>'> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Leftovercrack Posted January 22, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 wow thanks for the replies i thought this thread had died. a friend offered up a set of burstbucker pros. are these on the vintage side of things or are they hot? whats a good price for them? they're used but have plenty of wire left on them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Leftovercrack Posted January 22, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 and also has anyone ever put a p90 in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge? its mainly the bridge crunch im concerned about getting right, but i wouldnt mind something brighter in the neck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members p4vl Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 wow thanks for the replies i thought this thread had died. a friend offered up a set of burstbucker pros. are these on the vintage side of things or are they hot? whats a good price for them? they're used but have plenty of wire left on them Burstbuckers are on newer Gibbo Les Paul Standards. Go to a store and check them out, see if you like them on the Gibsons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lump Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 There are several different P-90 type pickups that are done in the humbucker size, I've liked what I've heard from them. I personally look for a nice clean tone in the neck position and I've found that with the Retrotron. Best clear I've ever had in a LP type guitar, by far. As for someone elses question on the playability of the AL's, I've got the wide neck version and it's addictive. I really can't play my other guitars (including the custom in my auto sig) comfortably anymore. this guitar has ruined me for the others. I have big hands and looooooove the extra space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Web Surf Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 Which factory makes these Agiles ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarboyled Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 How do they sound unplugged? What is the thing you dislike the most about your agile? If you had $700 would you buy the same axe or definitely go elsewhere with your money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluefoot Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have a lefty 3500 w duncan jb/jazz the stocks pickups were very good impo. I bought it back in the day when rondo actually had a store and had them change the pu's in the store. so when the guitar was ready I had the chance to play it directly compared to a stock 3500 model. well its true the jb and jazz are slightly more articulate then the stock pickups...but the stocks did sound great too and in their own way were just as good...like a 59 perhaps. as for the quality overall? as a lefty I don't get to play many pauls but every time I do I think to myself...this is no better then my agile. of course I did have it professionally set up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarboyled Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 "A Chat With Epiphone President Jim Rosenberg" Last month, Epi representative Will Jones caught up with Epiphone President, Jim "Epi" Rosenberg to talk about where Epiphone is today and where it's going. Here's what he had to say... EPI: I understand Epiphone has even opened its own factory in China. Can you tell us a little bit about that? JIM: Sure. And I think it's a great follow-up to the topic of quality. Ten to fifteen years ago, many Epiphone guitars were made at the same factories where many other guitars were and are currently made. In this case, it's difficult, if not impossible, to have a substantially better instrument than your competition when the parts, process and people to make them are the same. Therefore, in order to produce a superior instrument, we needed to open our own factory. So in October 2002, we opened Qingdao Gibson - our own factory near Qingdao, China dedicated to making Epiphone and only Epiphone guitars. To my knowledge, we are the only U.S. guitar company with their own factory in Asia. That's a significant difference. EPI: I thought all Epiphones were made by Samick. (smiling) JIM: I think that's what a lot of people still think. But that never was the case. Fifteen years ago, a lot of, but certainly not all, Epiphone guitars as well as other brands, were made at the Samick factory in Korea. Today, they don't make any guitars for us. In fact, they closed the Samick guitar factory in Korea a few years ago. EPI: Are all Epiphones made at the new China factory? JIM: Oh no. We still build out our USA collection such as the John Lennon Casino and the John Lee Hooker Sheraton in Nashville. And our Elitist guitars are all made in Japan. We're having a hard time meeting customer demand for both so we're looking for ways to increase production on these in 2004 while maintaining their top-of-the-line quality standards. If Agiles are made in Korea I guess they are not made by Samick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burningleaves Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 so i just picked up one of these and i like the Alnico V pick ups they put in but i think it could sound better. has anyone changed pick ups in theirs? (specifically this model and up bc they have diff pups then the others) i want it to sound more like a vintage les paul like my uncle has (not sure of the year but its vintage) and im wondering if gibson pups would get me closer? and if so which ones? i know there's different models but i dont know what the difference is. any help is appreciated bc i just love the sound my uncles guitar has through my rig and while this one sounds good i want it closer to that tone.also can any of the gibson pups be coil split? not that neccesary but ive always been curious as to what that would sound like Your best bet might be to find out what kind of pups your uncle has in his guitar and take it from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members buddhapaugh Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I'd like to replace the pups in a couple of Al-3000's I just received last week (hence the Strat I am selling... check the Spam thread please). I have a pair of High Order pups that sound fantastic in my wine red spalted Agile. Great PAF vibe. Would like to get something a little hotter... that can handle gain and legato style runs better. I am thinking Dimarzio right now. I have tried all sorts of Duncans and have never been happy with them... fizzy and hollow. Anywho, since I ofund out you get Alnico 5 pups wound hotter.... say 16 to 17k I am interested in checking those out. Besides Dimarzio has a no hassle return policy so if I don't like the pickup I can swap it for another till I find one that is right (something that GFS also offers--love them Strat GFS pups... but haven't heard a bucker from them that moved me just yet!!). I wish you luck in your tone quest. After all, the Buddha said attaining Enlightenment is easier than realizing Tonal Nirvana! Cheers, BP P.S. If anyone has a pup recommend please jump in... thinking Air Zone, Breed, Tone Zone, Norton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members inkblot Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 My AL3000 has a set of PUFs from BG pups, quite good and vintage sounding. Very affordable for handwound pickups as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaRtH_ErLiK Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hey guys,How are the necks of the Agile AL series compared to the other guitars (Ibanez, ESP, Schecter, Gibson)?I'm thinking about buying one AL-3100, but they have three different neck sizes (wide, slim, regular). I am toward to going on "slim", but not really sure. I'm playing with Schecter C-1 Classic and Epi G400 SG's. Any idea which neck is similar (or easier to play) to Schecter.I don't want to hassle with return if I don't like the neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members inkblot Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 The regular neck is kinda skinny really, narrower than my Epi Sheraton. My fingers can get cramped on it doing chords. It isn't too thick either but still thicker than typical modern strat necks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MickSlick Posted January 22, 2008 Members Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have an AL3000 and another one on the way this week. These are great guitars, but, IMHO the first thing to do is change the pickups. Some like the stock, but that is really the weak point of the guitar. I have burstbucker pro's in the one I have and I have a pair of 490 series Gibsons pulled out of a LP Standard waiting here for the new one when it comes in. This is the great thing about the AL3000s, they are such great gutiars for the $, and with a pickup change you have a high quality LP option for about $500. Regarding the price on Gibson P/U's, overpriced new, but lots of folks change out their LP Standards and you usually can find a pair of BBPros or the 490's pair for $100 to $130 or so. Have fun, you won't regret the purchase, but change those things out it makes a huge difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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