Epi SG G-400

TRex

New member
I have been toying with picking up a used guitar that i would mod for what i want to practice. Pickup replacements, practice setup and adjustments, wiring tricks, etc. I do want it to feel somewhat similar to my Epiphone Les Paul.

So i was lead to a used Epiphone SG G-400. They can be had for pretty cheap, and seem to be good guitars. What are yall's thoughts on them? Any bad years or sub models?
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

Most all the recent Epis are pretty good. I had an SG g-400 a couple years ago and it was a killer guitar.. Had Grover keys on it. Stock pickups weren't bad either.. I slapped some Duncans in it (preference) and it was ready to rumble...
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I have a few G400's (there's so many models of them that Epi makes). All of the ones I've seen are nice guitars, well-made, and used they're especially a great value. I always take 2 guitar to gigs, typically an LP, SG, or 335.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

Guitars are individuals.

I had a Gibson SG at the same time as a G-400. The tone was more open with the Gibby. The Epi had that constricted fat midrange that works really well perhaps for heavier musical styles. The Gibby sounded more like what the traditional SG would be expected to sound like.

All depends on what you want.....and a different individual epi could sound more Gibson like perhaps.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

Sweet, should make a good backup for my Epi LP. Ill see if i cant find some used SD or similar later fown the road for her.

Thanks guys!
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

Sweet, should make a good backup for my Epi LP. Ill see if i cant find some used SD or similar later fown the road for her.


'59's work well in SG's, as the guitar naturally has a good amount of mids. '59's expand the EQ to add more highs and lows. They take mag swaps well, you can dial it in with those if need be.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

'59's work well in SG's, as the guitar naturally has a good amount of mids. '59's expand the EQ to add more highs and lows. They take mag swaps well, you can dial it in with those if need be.
Yea?

I was actually thinking a 59' and Custom 5 or normal Custom.

Maybe APH-2 set, do do like a good amount of mids.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I like the idea of a 59n and a Custom 5. Maybe a Custom with a UOA5 if you want more mids in the bridge position.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I have an older G-400. Its a great guitar for the price. It plays well, and the stock pickups aren't bad. I've tried a LOT of pickups in that old G-400 and my Gibson SG. I ended up with a Gibson 498t in the bridge and a Duncan 59n in the neck. There were a lot of other combos that were good (the 59 set, Gibson 57 classics, Custom5 in the bridge etc) but all of those had one weakness or another. The 498t/Duncan 59n hits it just right.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

Never owned one, but there is a lot of love here for that model. Based on all I have read, overall better and more consistent than the Epi Les PAuls.

Go for it.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I like the idea of a 59n and a Custom 5. Maybe a Custom with a UOA5 if you want more mids in the bridge position.


When I joined here, C5's were the most common recommendation for SG bridge PU's. Then A8's became popular, and C8's became the SG favorite. Both are great choices. My personal favorite is with an UOA5 magnet.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

There is one on reverb for $250 shipped with a hardshell case, JB bridge, and a cosmetically broken nut.

What do yall think?
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

There is one on reverb for $250 shipped with a hardshell case, JB bridge, and a cosmetically broken nut


Nuts are cheap. If the guitar's in good condition, I'd go for it. I'd sell the JB & get another PU for the bridge.
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I have an Epiphone SG G400 and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Here's my thoughts:

Since I got the SG, I've been experimenting with it. Now I have a pair of GFS Mean90's in it and like the tone. Before that, I had 59n and Custom 5, Custom 8 and Custom UOA5. Between those, I like the C5 best.

But, my point is that it doesn't feel like the Les Paul at all. To me, although is heavier, the Les Paul is a lot more comfortable and easy to play (despite the upper fret access being better on the SG). Other fact is that, while I'm still struggling to find the right tone from it, and always wanna change something, the Les Paul was right there since the beggining. A pair of A2Pros and I don't want to change a single thing in the guitar.

Don't know if I make my point. I tend to get confused when I have to explain such a long line of thought in English...
 
Re: Epi SG G-400

I have an Epiphone SG G400 and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Here's my thoughts:

Since I got the SG, I've been experimenting with it. Now I have a pair of GFS Mean90's in it and like the tone. Before that, I had 59n and Custom 5, Custom 8 and Custom UOA5. Between those, I like the C5 best.

But, my point is that it doesn't feel like the Les Paul at all. To me, although is heavier, the Les Paul is a lot more comfortable and easy to play (despite the upper fret access being better on the SG). Other fact is that, while I'm still struggling to find the right tone from it, and always wanna change something, the Les Paul was right there since the beggining. A pair of A2Pros and I don't want to change a single thing in the guitar.

Don't know if I make my point. I tend to get confused when I have to explain such a long line of thought in English...

I understand what you mean. They are defiantly not the same feeling or playing.

However, its very similar in a lot of ways. 12" raduis fretboard, similar neck profile, 2 humbuckers, TOM bridge, set neck, 22 frets, etc.

Its similar like a Telecaster is to a Stratocaster. A few major differences, but very similar in more ways than not.
 
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Re: Epi SG G-400

As a mod platform it should be good. It should at least be able to give you pickup testing and setup learning capabilities.
 
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