Agile Mandolin

[Okie8stringn]

I was looking online at an Agile AM-1 F style mandolin from a dealer in NJ and was wondering if anyone has had any experiece with one. I have heard of the Agile brand guitars.

Their AM-1 mandos have a solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides for under $300. That would seem to be a pretty good price for a solid wood mando. The pictures of it look nice and I think they are made in Korea. I wonder if they are built by the same people that make the MK's?
I am considering purchasing one and would appreciate any input. Thanks in advance http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Pic1 (http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/acoustic/am1.jpg),Pic2 (http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/acoustic/am4.jpg),Pic3 (http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/acoustic/am5.jpg)

[Celtic Saguaro]

I'd be leery of any f-style that cheap. It's probably on par with Johnsons of the same price.

You could get much more for the same money with an A-style Kentucky or Fender or something used in an a-style.

[synthnut]

I bought the Agile with some info given to me from another mando player....He said that the tone would be fine for a beginner, and with a few mod's , could make a nice mando .....I sanded down the bridge to lower the action, set it up with some 74's and this little mando is a great sounding instrument ...
I also listenned to the advice given about buying a Kentucky if I wanted to get away on the cheap ....The Agile ( after the mods ) plays better, and also sounds better than the Kentucky !!.....You really can't beat it for the money ...Jim

[Okie8stringn]

Thanks so much for the information about your Agile mandolin.
A friend told me that to him the Agile looked like a Gold Tone, and sure enough, when I looked at some pictures of a Gold Tone GM-70 the headstock & fretboard inlays, etc. are identical.

Here are some pics of a Gold Tone GM-70.

Gold Tone1 (http://www.goldtone.com/img/instruments/GM-70/full_front.jpg),

Gold Tone2 (http://www.goldtone.com/img/instruments/GM-70/box3.jpg),

Gold Tone3 (http://www.goldtone.com/img/instruments/GM-70/box3.jpg)


Bob

[bradeinhorn]

i bought one of these cheap F-styles once - most likely same maker with different headstock decal.

it was a piece trash. i had it inspected during the approval period (a must with any online purchase) and found that some braces were loose and coming off. so i of course sent it back and spend a few more dollars on something that would be a little more trustworthy. beware of the cheap F.

i may going out on a limb here (i know a lot of people really like the eastman Fs), but from what i've seen unless you are spending over a couple grand you may as well not get an F-style. Much more tone value for the A.

B

[Okie8stringn]

Thanks,...Maybe I'll just wait and get an Eastman.
Which means,..When my wife is in a really good mood and it's ok for me to spend the extra $$ on one.

Bob http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bradeinhorn]

wait a little longer than that and get a collings MT

[Okie8stringn]

If I wait that long I'll probably be playing my imaginary collings mt.... and my picking will seem a lot better too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif