Epiphone G-400 Owners:

[astrozombie]

Just out of curiosity: how close is this guitar to the real thing, and how good of a guitar is it really? I ask because a friend has one, and he gets some pretty good tones out of it. I've been seeing them around lately a lot, and theres a few locally for pretty cheap ( like $180 ). I don't really need an Epi SG, but i was thinking this could satisfy my SG gas while I save up for something more high end.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I think, based on my history with Epiphone, you can luck into some real gems. Play a few of them, get the one that feels best to you, and replace any weak links as far as parts go. Put Duncans in it (no DimeBuckers or Chainsaws), and maybe a bone nut.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I played a white g-400 for a minute or two. the poly finish felt a lil cheap somehow. but it was a nice guitar. it's on the same quality level as epiphone LP stds. They prolly will never sing with 100% of a good Gibson SG's tone, but with some good pickups and a setup, you'll be good to go until you get a "real" SG. Seriously, no one but you will notice the difference... unless they look at the headstock ^_^
I passed the white SG up for a white tele, but that's just because I already had an LP as my 2x bucker guitar. SG's kinda aren't my thing unless they're white. Then they're the sechs.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I think, based on my history with Epiphone, you can luck into some real gems. Play a few of them, get the one that feels best to you, and replace any weak links as far as parts go. Put Duncans in it (no DimeBuckers or Chainsaws), and maybe a bone nut.

Yeah I think the hottest I'd go would be like a duncan distortion or something. If I got one, i'd like to keep the look of covered pickups.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I played a white g-400 for a minute or two. the poly finish felt a lil cheap somehow. but it was a nice guitar. it's on the same quality level as epiphone LP stds. They prolly will never sing with 100% of a good Gibson SG's tone, but with some good pickups and a setup, you'll be good to go until you get a "real" SG. Seriously, no one but you will notice the difference... unless they look at the headstock ^_^
I passed the white SG up for a white tele, but that's just because I already had an LP as my 2x bucker guitar. SG's kinda aren't my thing unless they're white. Then they're the sechs.

Is that the EMG g-400? I know someone with one of those, and every time ive played it, the finish has felt weird. like its too thick or something. i dont know.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

LOL u dun want a c5? that's supposed to be THE pickup for an SG.
+1 on the bone nut though. man, all guitars should just some with those.

oh and no, somehow it was a regular white one, with the std. chrome covered epi pickups that sound like hot mud
they're not so bad actually... until you compare them to duncans!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

LOL u dun want a c5? that's supposed to be THE pickup for an SG.
+1 on the bone nut though. man, all guitars should just some with those.

really? wait, custom 5? id have to swap magnets right?

edit: NOPE. got confused.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

what would be best in the neck? a 59?

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

really? wait, custom 5? id have to swap magnets right?

edit: NOPE. got confused.

yeah i'd go straight for a custom, just because if u dun like one magnet you've got like 3 others you can throw in and have it be legit. Custom, CC, C5, and C8... if one of those doesn't nail what you want I'd be a lil surprised.

oh and yeah an a4 59n. I LOVE mine!!! like the stock a5 59n but less boomy, more balanced. it's got a lil less treble and bass than an a5 but no drop in output, so it just ends up feeling very even, with a2-like mids but w/o the mushy bass

 

[ChrisL56]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I have a couple of Gibsons and a friend has an Epiphone. He is always trying to get me to donate one of my Gibsons to him!! But to answer the question, I never really noticed how the G400 sounded until I heard a song he had recorded and then it really struck me how close to the real thing it actually was.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I've got a bunch of G-400's (they keep introducing new models, which look so good). I love them. They're reasonably-priced new, and when you can get a deal on a used one in good condition, you can't go wrong. The quality's very good, they have Grover rotomatics; what's not to like? I've got Duncans and Gibsons in most of mine (HB's and P-90's), and they have nice bite and midrange punch. I'll take them to any gig or jam, and get compliments on my tones every time. Nice G-400 for $180? Go for it!

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

'59n/C8 or Phat Cat N/C8 is damn good in an SG. I'd personally stay away from a CC. It's too dark and compressed in a SG, IMO.

They're x10 better with upgrades but I'd still take a stock faded SG over one. $180 is a good price but you're going to put in at least a good $100 into upgrades. Hell, even more if you can't do some of those upgrades yourself. You can get faded SGs for $220 more on CL or even ebay. Just stay away from the SG threads and hang in there to buy a Gibson.

 

[Kam]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I've got a set of '59s in my SG and it sounds amazing. I was thinking about the C5 for the bridge but I wanted to keep it more vintage and it can handle pretty much anything I throw at it. Try the stock A5 '59 first. It can be a little boomy in Les Pauls but there's a lot less wood in an SG and the extra low end can sound really nice and balanced.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I've got a 490T in the bridge of mine and a DiMarzio PAF in the neck. It sounds fantastic.
I've not quite got used the weird neck position as I posted a couple of days ago but these are great guitars for the price. I say you get one.

Don't bother with all that upgrading the electronics crap, just get some good pickups and you're away.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I recently bought one without very high expectations. I was just in the mood for something very different from my other guitars. Because they sit funny in their balance, I've always avoided buying one.

I'm very impressed with it. Even the stock pickups sound great for stock pickups (not saying I won't change them out). For a 400 dollar guitar it sounds and plays fantastic. I'd like to get hold of a Gibson standard to compare it to. If there is as much difference as there is between my squier strat and my American standards, I will be getting a Gibson ASAP.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I think the stock bridge pickup in the g-400 is modeled on the Gibson 498t, and I really like it. I usually absolutely hate stock pickups. The neck pickups is also an Alnico 5 pickup, which I think is different from the A2 490r in a Gibson SG Standard. I assume Epiphone did this to avoid the complaint that most have about the Gibson SG, with the neck being too muddy compared to the bridge.

The Epi pickups sound a little bit muffled, and I have heard that they are smothered in a lot of wax under those nickel covers. I may try taking the covers off and cleaning them up to see if that improves their tone. I really like their tone and EQ, or maybe SGs just make anything sound fantastic. I don't know yet.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I've looked at the specs and can't tell any difference between the Vintage G-400 and the Standard G-400, except the finish and color of inlays. Being a hundred dollars less, it seems like a good bargain. The thinner vintage finish might even let the wood's tone shine through better.

Have you played the Vintage version?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I've looked at the specs and can't tell any difference between the Vintage G-400 and the Standard G-400, except the finish and color of inlays. Being a hundred dollars less, it seems like a good bargain. The thinner vintage finish might even let the wood's tone shine through better.

Have you played the Vintage version?

I had a worn brown 'vintage' G-400 and it had a brighter tone than the others. Don't know if that was that particular piece of wood or the finish.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

I had a worn brown 'vintage' G-400 and it had a brighter tone than the others. Don't know if that was that particular piece of wood or the finish.

theres something about the way the worn one looks in photos that isnt appealing to me.

dont get me wrong, i like the colour of the guitar

is the "worn" finish similar to a faded Gibson finish?

 

[lex666]

Re: Epiphone G-400 Owners:

+1

I don't think you can go wrong at all on an Epi G400. IMO, its one of the best values out there...

As always, it is recommended that you replace the pups and electronics. Get a C5 & '59n and you are all set on that SG tone. With eyes closed no one will know its an Epi.