Thinking about selling an early Agile Les Paul

[hofdog69]

I can't remember exactly when I got this guitar, but it was somewhere around 2002 I would guess. Serial number is 02977 if that matters. If i were to part ways with it, what do you think it would fetch on the open market? I'm just curious.

[honyock]

I'd suggest checking sold listings on Reverb & eBay for recent comps. I sold all of mine well before prices have hit their current overpriced status (just my opinion)



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[hofdog69]

I'd suggest checking sold listings on Reverb & eBay for recent comps. I sold all of mine well before prices have hit their current overpriced status (just my opinion)



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I can only find ones with the stubbed horn. Any listings you can find for old headstock and original horns? Appreciate it!

[mozz]

I would think it depends on what model it is more than being a old headstock version.

[toomanycats]

In 2005 I authored a thread on the original AGF asking if there was any interest amongst the members in buying what I referred to as an Agile AL "Historic" with the original horn and headstock. I included a poll, and the results speak for themselves. Perhaps consumer attitudes have changed in the last eight years. The real answer is likely what I've heard @uwmcscott say so many times on these pages: "It's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it."

I just love @Tonray's Ghost quick response. You can always rely on him to reply early and be a smartass.

[Tonray's Ghost]

In 2005 I authored a thread on the original AGF asking if there was any interest amongst the members in buying what I referred to as an Agile AL "Historic" with the original horn and headstock. I included a poll, and the results speak for themselves. Perhaps consumer attitudes have changed in the last eight years. The real answer is likely what I've heard @uwmcscott say so many times on these pages: "It's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it."

I just love @Tonray's Ghost quick response. You can always rely on him to reply early and be a smartass.


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That response was from an earlier incarnation of Tonray. The Ghost of Tonray Past so to speak.

[golem]

Personally, I'm not obsessed with the headstock or horn differences so I wouldn't pay extra for an early example. I buy Agiles purely for the quality to price ratio and when they get too expensive other things become better options.

Gibson Hawk is probably my favorite Quality/Price Gibson. Costs less than Agiles at this point.

[sabasgr68]

I buy Agiles purely for the quality to price ratio and when they get too expensive other things become better options.

I´m far from being an Agile AL expert, but this nailed it. Agree.

[uwmcscott]

Perhaps consumer attitudes have changed in the last eight years. The real answer is likely what I've heard @uwmcscott say so many times on these pages: "It's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it."

I am not sure that consumer attitudes have changed all that much - we all have our various reasons for wanting what we want, and they vary widely

In this particular case, audience really matters. In the guitar universe, the percentage of people that know of Agile is likely pretty small. And then within that group, the percentage that understand all the various iterations and headstock changes over the years is likely again very small. So to the vast majority, an original headstock/original horn AL is just another import LP knockoff. Granted a very good quality one, but nothing exceptional about it to most. And even within that narrow spectrum of people that would appreciate what it is, many of them purchased agile's in the first place for the "bang for the buck" factor.

I would put myself in all of those categories by the way, and If I were in the market ( which I am NOT ) my personal max spend for something like that would probably be around $500 if it were exactly what I wanted and in great shape. Take a look on reverb right now and notice how long many of the listed AL's have been sitting there and you'll see things are slowing down again and "price reduced" abounds. 8-12 months ago people were paying asking price and more without question so it can change quickly.

Having said all that it's a pretty sweet looking AL and to be honest I'd regret selling it so make sure you really want to get rid of it

[sabasgr68]

Perhaps consumer attitudes have changed in the last eight years. The real answer is likely what I've heard @uwmcscott say so many times on these pages: "It's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it."

I am not sure that consumer attitudes have changed all that much - we all have our various reasons for wanting what we want, and they vary widely

In this particular case, audience really matters. In the guitar universe, the percentage of people that know of Agile is likely pretty small. And then within that group, the percentage that understand all the various iterations and headstock changes over the years is likely again very small. So to the vast majority, an original headstock/original horn AL is just another import LP knockoff. Granted a very good quality one, but nothing exceptional about it to most. And even within that narrow spectrum of people that would appreciate what it is, many of them purchased agile's in the first place for the "bang for the buck" factor.

I would put myself in all of those categories by the way, and If I were in the market ( which I am NOT ) my personal max spend for something like that would probably be around $500 if it were exactly what I wanted and in great shape. Take a look on reverb right now and notice how long many of the listed and you'll notice that in general things are slowing down again and "price reduced" abounds. 8-12 months ago people were paying asking price and more without question so it can change quickly.

Having said all that it's a pretty sweet looking AL and to be honest I'd regret selling it so make sure you really want to get rid of it

Agree.

And yes, aside from having very good looks, that AL also looks very sturdy, like a solid piece of a very good thing, if that makes any sense.

[uwmcscott]

Agree.

And yes, aside from having very good looks, that AL also looks very sturdy, like a solid piece of a very good thing, if that makes any sense.

Yep, it's very likely a well built guitar. Another thing some people forget ( me included ) is that some of those early AL's were ridiculously heavy. And most of them from that era also have a narrower 1 5/8" nut. Not that those are deal breakers, but from a playability standpoint the more modern 3xxx series has the 1 11/16 nut and ebony fretboard.

But again, If I were to purchase an original AL like that it would be more for the "collector" in me than the player. And I wouldn't be buying it with the expectation that it will gain much value $$ wise - it would be for my own personal/Agile nostalgia reasons.

[tonebender]

I like the wave headstock better than the first version. I like the early model lower horn better than the stubby one. I would prefer a thinner body for weight relief. There are features about both early and late models that I like but they will never exist together. So I will never own another Agile guitar.
As far as price, a used Agile is not worth more than $300 in my opinion. I think it's crazy they are for sale at GC and other retail outlets for $500. Of course this is just my opinion and as it has been stated, anything is worth what someone will give you for it. I have been at auctions where a bidding war drove the price up over what one could get the item for new at the store.

[BatUtilityBelt]

I agree with comments that the model and condition dictate much more than which headstock. I have a number of Agiles, and it doesn't matter to me which headstock each has. For reference though, I bought this AL-3000 from GC Used for $249.99 in "great" condition this year.

It has upgraded SD pickups and plays great.

[Partscaster]

How much does it actually weigh in pounds/ ounces? Lots of folks got rid of all different sorts of Agiles, and kept others, because of weight.
And does it have a full maple cap as is visable in pickup cavities, or only a veneer top?

thank you hotdog

[honyock]

I'd suggest checking sold listings on Reverb & eBay for recent comps. I sold all of mine well before prices have hit their current overpriced status (just my opinion)



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I can only find ones with the stubbed horn. Any listings you can find for old headstock and original horns? Appreciate it!

Look for LP2500, that may help get more results.

Mjne sold for $340 minus fees in 2017.

I was very happy, as was the person who bought it...

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[uglyvw]

I still have a pair of these early Agile lp types. I picked them both up years ago just because they popped up locally. I doubt they would fetch more than a comparable Epi LP. I hang onto them, not because they are better than any other Korean guitars, but because I really like the narrower neck profile, and they are just different than all the other LP clones floating around.

[idiotsdelight]

I still have a pair of these early Agile lp types. I picked them both up years ago just because they popped up locally. I doubt they would fetch more than a comparable Epi LP. I hang onto them, not because they are better than any other Korean guitars, but because I really like the narrower neck profile, and they are just different than all the other LP clones floating around.

Weren't you the AGF member that got the yellow DC Jr off CL for me? That has the og headstock, as well as a 2800 I got from devdem back in '14? Still have both.

[devdem]

^^^ Hey Patrick good to hear from you!

I'll pile onto the "I've still got..." list. I've had an older 3500 for quite a while that I bought used a ridden pretty hard. Cleaned up well and plays great.