Epiphone G400

B

BloodRose

Professional Scapegoat
I was at guitar center yest and comparing SGs. I felt that the Epi G400s were better than all the other SGs they had there. They only had fadeds and special model gibbys there.
I liked the faded pups better, but the Epi felt more refined and played better and would take less set up.
Any G400 owners out there?? What do you think??
 
Re: Epiphone G400

I had one for a while, and regreted it. They feel more refined at first, but overall the gibson fadeds have more vibe to them, and with a good pup change, the faded will most likely sound better than the epi.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

I saw an excellent AC/DC tribute act last year. The Angus played a G400 all night with a Gibson SG on a stand for backup.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

I have a G400 and I still really enjoy playing it. After a pickup and electronics change out it was like a new instrument. It's now all switchcraft/cts/orange drop inside the cavity with a C5/Jazz installed. IMO, I walked out with the best SG in my price range in the entire store. I couldn't afford a Standard, but the faded models were within reach. They weren't bad guitars, but I HATE the faded finish... it just feels so cheap.

I'm not one to jump on the Gibson-bashing bandwagon, but the G400 I walked out with had a better setup than the faded models I played. The fadeds and G400s were all pretty resonant, though most SGs are thanks to the super thin bodies. Acoustically... maybe the fadeds were "better" but that would depend on the slab of wood. There were a couple that were marginally better than the G400s. There were both G400s and fadeds that I thought were uninspiring. By far the best piece was a '61 RI Gibson SG, but I didn't have anywhere near the coin for that... it was a beast of a guitar, though.

It's a toss up... you can get a good guitar regardless of which way you go, it just depends on what you think of the feel and sound of each individual piece. You also have to be one of those people who are capable of getting beyond the fact that the G400s aren't true mahogany bodies and listening to the guitar with an unbiased ear.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

Last time I saw, MF has the G400 on sale for like $100 off in certain colors (red and blue, iirc). For a little over $300, I can't imagine NOT buying one if I were in the market for an SG.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

yeah for the price the slight drop in wood quality is forgivable. i almost picked up a cherry red one a few months back because they were only askin $150 for it, but then i'd have a red SG and a green SG and that's way too christmasy. it really comes down to what kind of guitarist you are.

if you want a guitar that's overall great quality with 'good enough' pickups, and no frills (binding, fancy finish, those don't have anything to do with TONE) then the Faded series is for you.

if you're the kind of guitarist who knows what kind of pickups and electronics he likes and you're not afraid of doing some intensive surgery, in many respects an Epiphone could be made better for you than even the nicest Gibsons, if only because it matches your preferences better.

i mean if you're the second case, and you know you only play guitars with Customs in the bridge and Phat Cats in the neck, then a G400 with those pups is more desirable than an SG Standard with 490t's or whatever those come with....and going that route saves you a few hundred bucks in the process.

Blue SG blowout at M-F? I could use a cool-colored backup....
 
Re: Epiphone G400

485902.jpg
:saeek: that is rockstar as fuhhh
 
Re: Epiphone G400

I have a few Epi SG Std's (G-400). Love them all. You can get them for $300 new, even less online. Lot of guitar for the money. Well made, Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge. Great feel, light weight. Lots of neck for solos. Epi has over 20 set-neck SG's out now, between all the finishes, hardware colors, and number and kind of PU's. There's red, black, white, blue, gold, amber, sunburst, korina, worn brown and red, flame-maple in several colors, Customs in white, antique ivory, black, and red, etc. You'd be hard pressed to come up with a version that they don't already have.

I always upgrade the PU's on mid-price imports, these included. With a pair of American-made PU's, you're sounding as good as just about as good as most Gibson SG's. I like these combos in SG's:

-'59N/'59B
-'59N/C5
-490R (with an A5)/490T (with an A4)
-490R (with an A5)/498T (with an A4)
-Bluesbucker/Fred
-PAF/Air Norton
-Pair of Phat Cats

I like to tweak the electronics, with alternative wirings and use different magnets, pots, and caps.

If I can help, let me know.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

I had a faded Gibby and a faded Epi, changed pups in both, did a complete setup on both. I still have the Epi.....FWIW

-dave
 
Re: Epiphone G400

For the money, a G-400 is one of the best values out there. Get a deal on a new one or a nice used one, put in a couple of used Duncan's or DiMarzio's & for around $300 in total, you have a guitar that rivals a Gibson SG for tone. What's not to like?
 
Re: Epiphone G400

blueman335 said:
If you're playing rock or blues, the C5 is excellent. Lots of fans on the forum. Works great in SG's, LP's, & 335's. I think it's SD's best high output HB.
Click to expand...

Ya dont have to sell me on the C5, Ive been making/using them before the C5 went into production.. I have them in a few guitars and know how great they are!! :notworthy
I was just checking to see if that would be a good choice for a G400..?? Was thinking a Custom 8 may be good too..
 
Re: Epiphone G400

BloodRose said:
Was thinking a Custom 8 may be good too..
Click to expand...

Depends on your style of music. If you think you might like it, try an A8. I assume that you have some surplus magnets laying around. Play around with a few until you get the best tone. You can't necessarily tell in advance which combination of factors will get what you want. It's up to your ears.
 
Re: Epiphone G400

Still playing my cherry red G-400 after 5 years now, LOVE IT, especially after changing out the tuning pegs (mine was one with those crap Kluson vintage style pegs, replaced 'em with good sealed ones that still have the keystone shaped pegs) and the electronics. Sings like a bird!
 
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