Guitar Trip

ashtray · April 24th, 2005, 06:35 PM

Taking the day off work on Tuesday and heading up to Rondo Music with a guitar (mostly vintage duo's) playing friend of mine. Will be checking out a few models they have, including the swinger-looking P90'd SX guitar they have for $140, an Agile flamed maple topped set neck double cutaway guitar with either P90s or humbuckers for $230, and a semi-hollowbody guitar with humbuckers for $290. Also will be checking out their basses - they have a 70's RI Jazz copy that is calling to me for $170, among others.

Though the guitar prices are low (new!), it can add up when you take 2 or 3 home.

Will give full report on Wednesday.

ashtray · April 27th, 2005, 03:43 PM

*bump*

Well, it's Wednesday, and though I got zero response from my post, I'm keeping true and giving an update on how the trip went:

Drove up from Baltimore to Union NJ, with a quick stop in DE to pick up my friend. Got up to Rondo Music around 3pm. Initial impressions of the store - not as huge as a GC, but not too small of a m&p store. Many guitars lined the walls - they really cramp as much as they can in there.

Did a quick walk around the store - they mostly carry Agile and SX brand guitars, but also a few Fenders and Ibanez could be found. A quick glance at the new price tags on those, and I dismissed buying one, as they were the same as other stores would charge for them, and more than I was willing to spend.

First stop in the store was to the "scratch & dent" area. They had about 10-12 guitars there that were reduced. These were items that were either damaged in shipping, returned by customers, or needed repair. I found a Les Paul copy with a pricetag of $199, and carried it over to the nearest amplifier.

This was the AL-3000 model - set neck, flame maple top, probably 1/4" thick or so, abolone trap inlays (they look odd, as the eye expects the pearl inlays), 2 humbuckers, chrome hardware, grover tuners. The thing was rather heavy, but played decently. They sell these guitars for $360 normally, so for $199, it was quite reduced. Only sign of "damage" was a finish crack in the clear coat on the neck by the heel. Nothing structural. Sounded like a LP to me through the amp, and really looked stunning. Reluctantly I put it back, and tried some other guitars.

To keep this post shorter, I'll just breeze by the next hour: tried about 10 guitars, various prices $100-400. Some were set up badly so I couldn't play them, others fit so comfortably in my hands, I didn't want to put it down.

In the end, I decided on a ES335 like copy (AS-820) in black, with creme binding, twin chrome covered humbuckers, TOM bridge, block inlays, and a set neck. Cost was $259, and it seemed worth twice that amount. Before walking out, I pondered for a bit, and went back for the Les Paul copy I played when I first walked in the store - it was rather heavy, but I mostly play sitting anyways. The price was just too good to pass up in the end, and I added it to my purchase.

With tax, both guitars out the door were under $500. They play and sound great, and look incredible. I can't wait to break them in. :D Wife thought they looked really sharp when I brought them home, but rolled her eyes a bit seeing how I bought 2 more guitars!

Overall impression with the Agile line of guitars is very good. They'll likely need a good setup if you buy one online. Half the guitars I tried were in need of a setup, but the other half were ok as it was. For the price, these things really can't be beat.

As for the SX guitars I tried out, they were noticeably cheaper in quality and feel than the Agile guitars. Almost bought an SX bass (my friend did) but it just didn't feel right to me - though for about $100, you can only expect so much.

My impression of Rondo Music was a positive one - they treated their customers well, and didn't pressure me at all in the 1 1/2 hours I was in the store. I won't be going back there anytime soon however, b/c I would end up buying another guitar or 2 again! The low low prices, and good quality of the instruments, along with the great sales people is a dangerous combination for anyone with cash or credit in their pocket.

Bob Mc · April 27th, 2005, 04:00 PM

I've never been there even though I'm less then an hour from them. I've been toying with buying a bass again and should check their stock out.

moonshiner · April 27th, 2005, 04:43 PM

You know... I have seen ya'll mention Rondo Music before... and I lived a town or 2 over from that store... I never dreamed it was this shop you were talking about... I used to frequent it every now and again... but I never had a good experience there... But that was 10 or so years ago...

BB · April 27th, 2005, 05:24 PM

Nice review ashtray...thanks. Congrats on your new purchases! Those Agile guitars have tugged at my GAS string a time or two I must say! From what I have heard, they are incredible bargains. Many wind up keeping the stock pickups as they sound so good. I've noticed they have a few higher priced guitars in their inventory now....with Duncan pups, bone nuts, etc. The 335 clone they stopped making some time back is a killer looking guitar. Please keep us posted as you bond with your new guitars.

April 24th, 2005, 06:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
ashtray Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ventura County, CA Posts: 683 4 Photos	Guitar Trip Taking the day off work on Tuesday and heading up to Rondo Music with a guitar (mostly vintage duo's) playing friend of mine. Will be checking out a few models they have, including the swinger-looking P90'd SX guitar they have for $140, an Agile flamed maple topped set neck double cutaway guitar with either P90s or humbuckers for $230, and a semi-hollowbody guitar with humbuckers for $290. Also will be checking out their basses - they have a 70's RI Jazz copy that is calling to me for $170, among others. Though the guitar prices are low (new!), it can add up when you take 2 or 3 home. Will give full report on Wednesday. __________________ "I need another Tele like I need another hole in my wallet."

April 27th, 2005, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
ashtray Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ventura County, CA Posts: 683 4 Photos	bump Well, it's Wednesday, and though I got zero response from my post, I'm keeping true and giving an update on how the trip went: Drove up from Baltimore to Union NJ, with a quick stop in DE to pick up my friend. Got up to Rondo Music around 3pm. Initial impressions of the store - not as huge as a GC, but not too small of a m&p store. Many guitars lined the walls - they really cramp as much as they can in there. Did a quick walk around the store - they mostly carry Agile and SX brand guitars, but also a few Fenders and Ibanez could be found. A quick glance at the new price tags on those, and I dismissed buying one, as they were the same as other stores would charge for them, and more than I was willing to spend. First stop in the store was to the "scratch & dent" area. They had about 10-12 guitars there that were reduced. These were items that were either damaged in shipping, returned by customers, or needed repair. I found a Les Paul copy with a pricetag of $199, and carried it over to the nearest amplifier. This was the AL-3000 model - set neck, flame maple top, probably 1/4" thick or so, abolone trap inlays (they look odd, as the eye expects the pearl inlays), 2 humbuckers, chrome hardware, grover tuners. The thing was rather heavy, but played decently. They sell these guitars for $360 normally, so for $199, it was quite reduced. Only sign of "damage" was a finish crack in the clear coat on the neck by the heel. Nothing structural. Sounded like a LP to me through the amp, and really looked stunning. Reluctantly I put it back, and tried some other guitars. To keep this post shorter, I'll just breeze by the next hour: tried about 10 guitars, various prices $100-400. Some were set up badly so I couldn't play them, others fit so comfortably in my hands, I didn't want to put it down. In the end, I decided on a ES335 like copy (AS-820) in black, with creme binding, twin chrome covered humbuckers, TOM bridge, block inlays, and a set neck. Cost was $259, and it seemed worth twice that amount. Before walking out, I pondered for a bit, and went back for the Les Paul copy I played when I first walked in the store - it was rather heavy, but I mostly play sitting anyways. The price was just too good to pass up in the end, and I added it to my purchase. With tax, both guitars out the door were under $500. They play and sound great, and look incredible. I can't wait to break them in. :D Wife thought they looked really sharp when I brought them home, but rolled her eyes a bit seeing how I bought 2 more guitars! Overall impression with the Agile line of guitars is very good. They'll likely need a good setup if you buy one online. Half the guitars I tried were in need of a setup, but the other half were ok as it was. For the price, these things really can't be beat. As for the SX guitars I tried out, they were noticeably cheaper in quality and feel than the Agile guitars. Almost bought an SX bass (my friend did) but it just didn't feel right to me - though for about $100, you can only expect so much. My impression of Rondo Music was a positive one - they treated their customers well, and didn't pressure me at all in the 1 1/2 hours I was in the store. I won't be going back there anytime soon however, b/c I would end up buying another guitar or 2 again! The low low prices, and good quality of the instruments, along with the great sales people is a dangerous combination for anyone with cash or credit in their pocket. __________________ "I need another Tele like I need another hole in my wallet."

April 27th, 2005, 04:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,568	thanks ashtray I've never been there even though I'm less then an hour from them. I've been toying with buying a bass again and should check their stock out. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

April 27th, 2005, 04:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,145	You know... I have seen ya'll mention Rondo Music before... and I lived a town or 2 over from that store... I never dreamed it was this shop you were talking about... I used to frequent it every now and again... but I never had a good experience there... But that was 10 or so years ago... __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

April 27th, 2005, 05:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
BB Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific NW Age: 53 Posts: 3,024	Nice review ashtray...thanks. Congrats on your new purchases! Those Agile guitars have tugged at my GAS string a time or two I must say! From what I have heard, they are incredible bargains. Many wind up keeping the stock pickups as they sound so good. I've noticed they have a few higher priced guitars in their inventory now....with Duncan pups, bone nuts, etc. The 335 clone they stopped making some time back is a killer looking guitar. Please keep us posted as you bond with your new guitars.