Agile AD3200 or Ibanez AR325?

[sabasgr68]

I think we all like to dive into hypothetical situations; you know, several if and if and if... too many "ifs" to make it real, but it´s fun, ain´t it?

Considering this two similar guitar models, and given their specs, which one would you chose? Reselling factor aside - not into consideration here, really -, which one do you think offers more in terms of money, versatility and quality? Surprisingly, the price tag is the same! Oh, and the Agile could weigh a little more, also! That´s a factor to consider, too.

I made a comparison chart, and there are some pics below.

[Mossman]

Ibanez... No contest.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Love my AD-3200MCC, but between the two, I'd have to grab the Ibanez. Then again, I've never seen a lefty AR325, so there's that.

[uwmcscott]

I know it’s not an option but there are things about both that I don’t like enough to say neither. If you could put the ebony board on the Ibanez and a standard stoptail that would be my choice. There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

For $600, I’d probably look for a used Carvin DC.

[ID10t]

Sight unseen Ibanez everytime. I like my Agile AL-3200, I guitar love my Ibanez's.

[sabasgr68]

Ibanez... No contest.

Fast, quick and simple! Haha.

Another thing to consider: the Agile will be available in january 2022 - so says Kurt -. The Ibanez is already availabe at Sweetwater - 4 units to choose from! -, and at $13/month (48 moths credit), the Ibanez it´s a little hard to resist, then.

[sabasgr68]

Love my AD-3200MCC, but between the two, I'd have to grab the Ibanez. Then again, I've never seen a lefty AR325, so there's that.

Oh, well, that´s an issue for you, right. But the core of your answer remains.

[ID10t]

Ibanez... No contest.

Fast, quick and simple! Haha.

Another thing to consider: the Agile will be available in january 2022 - so says Kurt -. The Ibanez is already availabe at Sweetwater - 4 units to choose from! -, and at $13/month (48 moths credit), the Ibanez it´s a little hard to resist, then.

I'm asking an ignorant question but does Sweetwater deliver to you? Does Kurt?
I guess I figured you got your Agile in the wild.

[sabasgr68]

I know it’s not an option but there are things about both that I don’t like enough to say neither. If you could put the ebony board on the Ibanez and a standard stoptail that would be my choice. There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

For $600, I’d probably look for a used Carvin DC.

You got a point there. I admit I´m not familiar with the woods on the Ibanez (body and fretboard) - I haven´t googled them as of yet, that is -.

So, now you´re making me go looking for that Carvin DC. Hope it is symmetrical !

[sabasgr68]

Sight unseen Ibanez everytime. I like my Agile AL-3200, I guitar love my Ibanez's.

Well, a lot of Ibanez boys here...

I know what my choice is, I´m just waiting to see what you prefer.

[sabasgr68]

@uwmcscott Fixed the poll for ya!

[BatUtilityBelt]

I know it’s not an option but there are things about both that I don’t like enough to say neither. If you could put the ebony board on the Ibanez and a standard stoptail that would be my choice. There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

For $600, I’d probably look for a used Carvin DC.

You got a point there. I admit I´m not familiar with the woods on the Ibanez (body and fretboard) - I haven´t googled them as of yet, that is -.

So, now you´re making me go looking for that Carvin DC. Hope it is symmetrical !

Ah, there is a comparison I can speak to first-hand. I have an old Carvin DC150 that's pretty cool. Yes, it is symmetrical. It plays great, and I love the look, but I like my AD-3200 a ton more. The reason is the tones I can eek from either. I see the DC150 as a very good guitar for high gain, but it just can't cover nearly as much as the 3200, especially cleans. I fault the Carvin pickups for that, but I still enjoy the guitar for a few things. Porn attached.

[sabasgr68]

Ibanez... No contest.

Fast, quick and simple! Haha.

Another thing to consider: the Agile will be available in january 2022 - so says Kurt -. The Ibanez is already availabe at Sweetwater - 4 units to choose from! -, and at $13/month (48 moths credit), the Ibanez it´s a little hard to resist, then.

I'm asking an ignorant question but does Sweetwater deliver to you? Does Kurt?
I guess I figured you got your Agile in the wild.

Not sure if they do, considering the actual restrictions. They have, but considering Customs here, I wouldn´t risk to do it that way. The route would be, in any case, to ship to my courier in Miami, who ships to Venezuela; they handle all Customs procedures faster. So there´s double shipping to consider: from X supplier to Miami, and then here. Miami-Venezuela is around $100 for a guitar, by plane, to my front door. I´ve done that calculation countless times; it´s becoming a hobby

Yes, I got my Agile in the wild, here in Venezuela, second hand, almost 4 years ago, with the generous assistance of a fellow AGFer.

[sabasgr68]

I know it’s not an option but there are things about both that I don’t like enough to say neither. If you could put the ebony board on the Ibanez and a standard stoptail that would be my choice. There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

For $600, I’d probably look for a used Carvin DC.

You got a point there. I admit I´m not familiar with the woods on the Ibanez (body and fretboard) - I haven´t googled them as of yet, that is -.

So, now you´re making me go looking for that Carvin DC. Hope it is symmetrical !

Ah, there is a comparison I can speak to first-hand. I have an old Carvin DC150 that's pretty cool. Yes, it is symmetrical. It plays great, and I love the look, but I like my AD-3200 a ton more. The reason is the tones I can eek from either. I see the DC150 as a very good guitar for high gain, but it just can't cover nearly as much as the 3200, especially cleans. I fault the Carvin pickups for that, but I still enjoy the guitar for a few things. Porn attached.CarvinInCase.jpg

Symmetrical wins one point! Thanks for the condensed review!

What are those three switches for? (I guess if for different pickup switchings?)

[BatUtilityBelt]

Symmetrical wins one point! Thanks for the condensed review!

What are those three switches for? (I guess if for different pickup switchings?)

So the DC150 has a phase switch and two coil taps. That does give it great tonal options, they're just not my favorite tones clean. It is also stereo, but I've never used it that way - never wanted to fight 2 amps at the same time.

[Mossman]

Ibanez... No contest.

Fast, quick and simple! Haha.

Another thing to consider: the Agile will be available in january 2022 - so says Kurt -. The Ibanez is already availabe at Sweetwater - 4 units to choose from! -, and at $13/month (48 moths credit), the Ibanez it´s a little hard to resist, then.

Are you trying to persuade me to buy it?

[golem]

The Ibanez AR Models are fantastic.

[tobijohn]

...There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

I agree, the AD-3200 looks a little too thin wasted in pics but for some reason, in real life I find it proportional.

As for the survey choices, based on my lack of discipline there should be an option to buy both. I'm in the process of converting a CSBF AD-3200 to a sort of Ibanez AR /Yamaha SG(B) "tribute" with black plastic and gold hardware. Well, I will be after giving a gold top AD-3200 the Gibson Deluxe treatment with a pickguard and Dimarzio PG-13 minis...

[ILuvTeles]

That Ibanez is beautiful. I would go with that.

[SamIV]

I have owned 2 of the Ibanez. The Ibanez I think is better looking, has nice pickups, variety of tonal options via switching. The neck will be a little thicker and the body will be thinner. Both of mine weighed under 7.5 lbs. Expect the Agile to be much heavier. Ibanez come out of China and I believe Agile still out of Korea. One of my Ibanez was older and was built in Korea, but quality was no better than the Chinese made model.

I believe fretwork will be better on the Agile. Both of my Ibanez benefited from fret leveling and nut work. I lowered the nut slots a bit. Also did work on the saddles to better match the radius of the fret board. I like low action and light strings, so hence the fret level, nut, and saddle attention. Might not apply to your style.

The pickups are very low output. I like the super 58’s on the Ibanez, but others don’t. Variable switching options, but I usually just left them in humbucker mode. But sadly both were sold. I unloaded 8-10 guitars over the last few months. Getting up in age and don’t really need all the herd. All of my guitars are PRS now.

[sabasgr68]

Ibanez... No contest.

Fast, quick and simple! Haha.

Another thing to consider: the Agile will be available in january 2022 - so says Kurt -. The Ibanez is already availabe at Sweetwater - 4 units to choose from! -, and at $13/month (48 moths credit), the Ibanez it´s a little hard to resist, then.

Are you trying to persuade me to buy it?

Not at all, Moss. But from another point of view, I could live vicariously through you - or anybody here -

And, you´re not that much of a LP guy...

[sabasgr68]

...There is something about the AD body shape that just looks off/out of proportion.

I agree, the AD-3200 looks a little too thin wasted in pics but for some reason, in real life I find it proportional.

As for the survey choices, based on my lack of discipline there should be an option to buy both. I'm in the process of converting a CSBF AD-3200 to a sort of Ibanez AR /Yamaha SG(B) "tribute" with black plastic and gold hardware. Well, I will be after giving a gold top AD-3200 the Gibson Deluxe treatment with a pickguard and Dimarzio PG-13 minis...

It´s good to know the ADs look beter in real life.

Oh yes, they need a pickguard! And hope you won´t forget to post pics after the CSBF conversion.

Fixed the poll for you! Too bad there aren´t lefty ARs, isn´t it?

[sabasgr68]

I have owned 2 of the Ibanez. The Ibanez I think is better looking, has nice pickups, variety of tonal options via switching. The neck will be a little thicker and the body will be thinner. Both of mine weighed under 7.5 lbs. Expect the Agile to be much heavier. Ibanez come out of China and I believe Agile still out of Korea. One of my Ibanez was older and was built in Korea, but quality was no better than the Chinese made model.

I believe fretwork will be better on the Agile. Both of my Ibanez benefited from fret leveling and nut work. I lowered the nut slots a bit. Also did work on the saddles to better match the radius of the fret board. I like low action and light strings, so hence the fret level, nut, and saddle attention. Might not apply to your style.

The pickups are very low output. I like the super 58’s on the Ibanez, but others don’t. Variable switching options, but I usually just left them in humbucker mode. But sadly both were sold. I unloaded 8-10 guitars over the last few months. Getting up in age and don’t really need all the herd. All of my guitars are PRS now.

Very nice review, Sam. Thanks! In the hypothetical situation, I´d go with the Ibanez AR.

[sabasgr68]

A lot of Ibanez AR fanboys here.

My own choice would be the Ibanez AR.

I´ve been in love with it for a while. The AD3200 I like it because it happens to look similar, nice features, and we have to count in the Agile name thing; after all, we´re all here because of that name, or most of us, at least. The plastic nut bothers me a little in the Ibanez, and I´m not sure as how the medium frets will feel, but the tri-sound feature makes it versatile, series, split and parallel.

But like I said, in this hypothetical situation with too many "ifs", that would my choice. In the real situation, it´s like looking at something you like, and then just keep on walking.

[Chocol8]

If you are going to swap pickups? Agile, no contest. Better built, better neck profile, way better neck heel, better fretboard, and better hardware.

Out of the box? The Ibanez sounds better.