PSA: Interesting Agile triple pickup AL/LP - $300 at GC

[tobijohn]

I've never seen one like this before. Original headstock, three pickups, unusual CSB finish (tribal? Burl?).

The middle pickup is different from the neck and bridge, and a brand I couldn't really find any info on. I'm wondering if it might have been added as the ring is a different color and has a pickguard. Most of the three-humbucker pickup Agiles I've seen do not have one.

Going just by price, $300 isn't any kind of deal but if novelty has value, or you have an Agile fetish like I do, then I don't think anyone would snicker if you paid that amount. If it was a lefty, I'd most likely grab it.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Agile ... 9420490.gc

[glasshand]

You've got a good eye there. Zooming in to the pictures, I also notice that the middle pickup ring has no screws (?!) and the pickguard looks like it's been filed down or cut away.

[tobijohn]

You've got a good eye there. Zooming in to the pictures, I also notice that the middle pickup ring has no screws (?!) and the pickguard looks like it's been filed down or cut away.

Yeah, it looked like the screws on the middle pickup ring were missing but I thought it might just be the lighting.

I really like that finish but have no idea what you'd call it...

[toomanycats]

Some other things I notice are that the finish looks to have either taken on a haze under the paint (as older poly guitars sometimes do), or it may have gotten the Scotch-Brite treatment. It has that eggshell finish look.

The triple uncovered cream pickups are probably an homage to Ace Frehley.

So let's assume the middle pickup was added, which seems highly likely for the reasons already pointed out by @tobijohn, who also notes that it is unusual for a three pickup Agile to have a pickguard. @glasshand further observed that the pickguard looks slightly imperfect, the previous owner having shaved off some of the plastic to make it fit.

Given these observations, my mind naturally progresses to the question, "Is something being hidden?" Did some mangling occur when the cavity for the middle pickup was routed, hence the need to add the pickguard to cover up that damage? Going back to my conjecture that somebody may have wanted to copy Ace's guitar, why then would they put a pickguard on it? Ace's guitar didn't have one.

Of course, I'm just spitballing here while sitting on my sofa looking at a pic on a computer screen. However, before I ordered that guitar I'd contact Guitar Center in Colorado Springs and ask them to look underneath the pickguard. I actually do like the instrument for what it is, which is a very early Agile with a cool finish.

Hey, this will be a fun game: Let's take bets on what it weighs! Closest one without going over is the winner, just like on The Price is Right. I'm going with 13 pounds, 2 ounces. I would have guessed a few ounces heavier, but I'm factoring in the wood removed for the middle pickup.

[Rollin Hand]

Some other things I notice are that the finish looks to have either taken on a haze under the paint (as older poly guitars sometimes do), or it may have gotten the Scotch-Brite treatment. It has that eggshell finish look.

The triple uncovered cream pickups are probably an homage to Ace Frehley.

So let's assume the middle pickup was added, which seems highly likely for the reasons already pointed out by @tobijohn, who also notes that it is unusual for a three pickup Agile to have a pickguard. @glasshand further observed that the pickguard looks slightly imperfect, the previous owner having shaved off some of the plastic to make it fit.

Given these observations, my mind naturally progresses to the question, "Is something being hidden?" Did some mangling occur when the cavity for the middle pickup was routed, hence the need to add the pickguard to cover up that damage? Going back to my conjecture that somebody may have wanted to copy Aces guitar, why then would they put a pickguard on it? Ace's guitar didn't have one.

Of course, I'm just spitballing here while sitting on my sofa looking at a pic on a computer screen. However, before I ordered that guitar I'd contact Guitar Center in Colorado Springs and ask them to look underneath the pickguard. I actually do like the instrument for what it is, which is a very early Agile with a cool finish.

Hey, this will be a fun game: Let's take bets on what it weighs! Closest one without going over is the winner, just like on The Price is Right. I'm going with 13 pounds, 2 ounces. I would have guessed a few ounces heavier, but I'm factoring in the wood removed for the middle pickup.

"One pound, Bob."

(Leans back from mic with smug look on face)

[Partscaster]

11lb 7 oz.....I had a vision.

[glasshand]

You've got a good eye there. Zooming in to the pictures, I also notice that the middle pickup ring has no screws (?!) and the pickguard looks like it's been filed down or cut away.

Yeah, it looked like the screws on the middle pickup ring were missing but I thought it might just be the lighting.

I really like that finish but have no idea what you'd call it...

Now that I look at it again I think you are right. The screws are there, but they don't even match the screws on the other rings.

[tobijohn]

Now that I look at it again I think you are right. The screws are there, but they don't even match the screws on the other rings.

I missed the roller bridge in the first go-around...

[sabasgr68]

The finish on this one kind of reminds me a little of the first generation Epi Les Paul Ultra. I was in love with those Ultras back then...

It took me a while to get used to the middle pickup on the guitar that Ed gave me. Not sure how it would be with a 3 humbucker guitar.

I agree it´s an interesting Agile...


Ultra

LP Ultra 1.png

LP Ultra 2.jpg

[slowhand84]

I've never seen one like this before. Original headstock, three pickups, unusual CSB finish (tribal? Burl?).

The middle pickup is different from the neck and bridge, and a brand I couldn't really find any info on. I'm wondering if it might have been added as the ring is a different color and has a pickguard. Most of the three-humbucker pickup Agiles I've seen do not have one.

Going just by price, $300 isn't any kind of deal but if novelty has value, or you have an Agile fetish like I do, then I don't think anyone would snicker if you paid that amount. If it was a lefty, I'd most likely grab it.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Agile ... 9420490.gc

Yep noticed this one a week or so ago, but didn't post about it because it kinda looks like it's been ridden hard and put away wet as they say (and at something like $350 shipped, it's too much). That, and I was on vacation . The top is the usual quilted maple veneer in CSB, and the middle pickup was definitely added and not stock. Prodigy pickups is apparently defunct but from what I found online in a quick search they were just a typical import pickup company and likely not any better than what came stock in these models back then. Half the bridge saddles are flipped backwards and it's also apparent that the tuners were replaced too (you can see the holes for the old tuners). Pickguard as someone else already mentioned has been carved a bit to accommodate the slightly crookedly installed middle humbucker. Overall an interesting if somewhat butchered old piece of Agile history, but could have issues lurking underneath. I'd probably steer clear.

[Chocol8]

It could be a nice find for $100, but not much more than that post butchering.

[tobijohn]

It could be a nice find for $100, but not much more than that post butchering.

Upon further review, it definitely isn't worth the listing price. Whether it's worth only $100, I don't know. It would have to be physically inspected before that could be determined.

I really like that finish, though...

[Chocol8]

Oh, it could be worth more AFTER physical inspection, but I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a "find out what is in it" surprise.

[idiotsdelight]

Looks like my 2800 with an added pickup. Mine doesnt have a pg, but 1 model with a different top shows a pg. Mine is a CSB quilt top.

Edit. Looks like a quilt top.

Screenshot_20231207-025404_DuckDuckGo.jpg

[toomanycats]

I notice something else that bolsters my "This Guy Was an Ace Frehley Wanna Be" theory:

The strings are top wrapped. That's a well known Ace thing.