Haven't seen these on Rondo in a decade - Agile ST-1000

mighty_duck · Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:32 pm

A couple of caveats...
Price is now $600 (It used to be $300, back in its heyday)
It will only be delivered in a year or so (June 2022).

But still, this brings back memories.

https://www.rondomusic.com/ST1000RN3TSQUILT.HTML

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Chocol8 · Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:35 pm

You can get a Fender with about triple the resale value for $600. Or a Classic Vibe for less.

Mossman · Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:07 pm

Ohhh... I was just thinking about those a few days ago... I never thought we'd see them again. It sure is purty, and as much as I'd like to have a Fender-style Agile, 600 bones is a bit of a stretch for me too. I have all the Strats I need or want right now (or ever will), but if he brings back the Tele-style, I'd have to really ask myself if it could beat my CV '50s Tele, and from the look of things, I don't think that answer is going to be "yes". The specs look pretty pedestrian... Though it does say "quilted maple top" and not "veneer", so it might have that going for it, but that alone wouldn't be enough to make me want to open my wallet.

[edit]

I just noticed it's got that damn paddle headstock?! Well that does it... I'm definitely out.

Flatline · Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:38 pm

My Fender American Performer was only $150 more than that new on clearance at Adorama. No way I’d pay $600 for the Agile, especially with that ugly headstock. At $300-350 maybe…at $600 nope.

mighty_duck · Thu Aug 12, 2021 12:48 am

Yes, from a value/resale standpoint, this is not a good deal.
You can get a Fender MIM player strat for $519, and be able to sell it later at almost the same price.
https://www.adorama.com/fe0144570002.ht ... flaid62905

But to play devil's advocate. Advantages of the Agile
1. Stainless steel saddles
2. Fatter neck
3. Grover tuners (I'm reaching here)
4. Fancy quilt top
5. Rosewood FB (Fenders have maple or Pau Ferro. These ST-1000's used to have ebony though!)
6. It's unfair to compare Agile stock price to Fender clearance price. Fender stock price is $860 for a player strat plus top.

That said - hard pass for me. I'm all about getting good value, and it just isn't there.

Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:31 am

Didn't they have beaucoup neck problems with those a decade or so ago? (And end up taking a bunch back?)

Partscaster · Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:06 am

for 600$ you can easily build one hell of a partscaster, and with some of the best pickups available.

redman · Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:11 pm

I have a SX Strat I put Fender MIM TexMex pups in Grover 406 locking tuners CTS pots and yes there was room for a Fender 5 way for a little under $300 and its a great Strat. I didn't want to pull the pickguard so i posted a picture of it on my bench when I did the work.

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honyock · Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:06 pm

Seems like I should avoid selling my gear until this inflation slows down.

Hard to believe I have less than half of that into my Agile partscaster.

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toomanycats · Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:19 pm

It's spec'd somewhat similarly to the Schecter Nick Johnston traditional model, and just a couple hundred dollars cheaper.

But the Schecter has a superior pedigree, and will consequently better retain its value. Somebody could also order the Schecter and receive it in mere days, as opposed to almost a years wait for the Agile.

This one is a hard pass for me.

Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:35 pm

What is a Schecter?

Mossman · Thu Aug 12, 2021 11:32 pm

mickey wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:35 pm What is a Schecter?

It's a German pastry, I think... Like strudel, but not as strudely.

mozz · Fri Aug 13, 2021 9:41 am

Yes, over priced and not something to retain resell value, though i always wanted a Agile labeled strat.

andrewsrea · Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:32 pm

Nice specifications on the ST-1000, but can't argue with the aforementioned cons .

@honyock : agreed on the inflation. I just am finishing up on my music inventory list, with serial number and valuation for my insurance records. Using the internet to provide the values, I was astounded of what things are actually being asked and what they are getting for gear. I may have to up my coverage due to the amount things I own apprecaited!

glasshand · Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:57 pm

Yeah, speaking of inflation, I was looking at old Peavey heads, and...well, I guess the upside is that the inflation has brought a bunch of them out of hiding. But someone is asking over $200 for a busted Century 120 head on Reverb.

Razzle · Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:16 pm

Is he actually gonna sell any of those?

Mossman · Sat Aug 14, 2021 5:49 am

Razzle wrote: ↑Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:16 pm Is he actually gonna sell any of those?

I think that's what Kurt is trying to find out with this pre-order thing.

Sat Aug 14, 2021 6:07 am

Mossman wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 5:49 am
Razzle wrote: ↑Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:16 pm Is he actually gonna sell any of those?
I think that's what Kurt is trying to find out with this pre-order thing.

Or perhaps "wishful thinking" on Kurt's part?

nomadh · Sat Aug 14, 2021 7:56 pm

honyock wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:06 pm Seems like I should avoid selling my gear until this inflation slows down.

Hard to believe I have less than half of that into my Agile partscaster.

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Even if ever does slow down it dont usually go back. And if it ever did "deflate" I hear we would all be begging for inflation back.