Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

[Dark Order Lord]

My wife and my daughter both would like to learn and play the guitar, so I thought I'd make it fun for them, instead of learning acoustic guitar, which is like riding a bicycle, they will learn electric guitar which is like riding a motorcycle. And so very soon I will start laybying a special good quality family electric guitar thats normal shaped and NOT pointy (like my V's and explorer, and I have heart attacks when anyone touches them, and Vanessa thinks its funny) and it will be paid off for christmas. It is the Epiphone Iommi SG400

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Epiphone/Tony-Iommi-G-400.aspx

So, as I have never tried the Iommi Pickups, what should I expect???? I think the guitar for the money, plus its pickups, are worth it, I know it won't compare to my custom made Grubisa V's and Gibson Explorer, BUT, for a home guitar for the whole family, myself included, I think we'll be happy.

 

[Will S-T]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

How much in Aussie dollars? Reason I ask is that you can get a Gibson faded or studio
for about $1000 second hand, even a US Strat for that money.

Cheers, Will

 

[xntrick]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

I saw one of those at my local GC and I was not impressed. It seemed very cheaply made considering what it was selling for. I have the Iommi pickups in my Xaviere SG and they have a nice hard rock tone to them but they output is surprisingly less compared to the EMG 81X.

 

[Dark Order Lord]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

How much in Aussie dollars? Reason I ask is that you can get a Gibson faded or studio
for about $1000 second hand, even a US Strat for that money.

Cheers, Will

$750 no case. I will not my daughter touch a real gibson, plus I don't like strats

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Why wouldnt you want your daughter to touch a Gibson if its better quality for the same price..?

 

[Dark Order Lord]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Why wouldnt you want your daughter to touch a Gibson if its better quality for the same price..?

Hell no!!!!! She has to earn it!!!!!:smack:

 

[XPAULPITT]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

The Iommi pups are pretty high output and kind of harsh. Great for low tuned stuff if thats what ur goin for. Dont let people talk down epis. They are very good guitars and excellent for beginners. Along the way you can even upgrade parts and make it very good. You may want to look into the SG special faded Gibsons though. Like 100 dollars more and they are unbelievable guitars.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Sure! Get it! But I am a huge Black Sabbath/Tony Iommi fan so of course I'd say get it. I think the SG is the best for beginners and pros because of the weight, sound, play-ability, and maybe the shorter scale for younger people. I'd go for it.

You may want to look into the SG special faded Gibsons though. Like 100 dollars more and they are unbelievable guitars.

The family has to earn it remember?

 

[PonyKiller]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Those are basically Epi G400's which are the bottom of the line on set neck SG's. They are nice guitars for the $180 they can be found used. An OK platform for upgrades. IMO not worth the new price though. You can do a lot better on the used market with that money.
As was suggested early, look for used Special Faded SG's. More bang for the buck.

You should consider that SG's aren't the toughest guitars around. It's really easy to snap the headstock off if the player is not very careful.
For a beginner I'd recommend a bolt-on guitar like a Strat. Those are built like tanks. If you really want to stay away from a Strat, then the a Mustang would be a great option. It has a 24" scale so the feeling will be closer to a Gibson plus is easier on kids and beginners.

Good luck man. It's really cool when the family wants to be part of something you like.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Used to own one of these, Pretty much kept it parked in C tuning and sounded pretty good....Didn't gel with the neck though so it had to go....

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

So you're buying a widget for your family... A and B look alike and have similar features, except A is made of better parts and holds its value better for the same price. So you buy B because they don't deserve something quality?

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. A used Epi Iommi might sell for $200...even if you just bought it brand new at retail. Those faded Gibsons hang around $450-$500 but you can find em for less..

Then we start talking about Epi's multipiece bodies, 3 piece necks, plastic finish... ick

 

[tonello]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Honestly, I wouldn't get them an Iommi guitar. I'd either get them the Gibson Faded SGs or something like an Epiphone Casino. Those are some good guitars that are available in the $500- $600 range. I don't understand why you wouldn't get them the best for the money rather than something like an Iommi SG which isn't that good of a guitar. I mean if they decide not to play, then you can have the guitars, but to me, it seems like you're buying them what you want, not what's best for them.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

I spent around 5 minutes with it recently. It felt like a toy but it also had a very nice neck and good action so it may work as a first guitar.

Anyway, for 1st axes Squiers are much better value for the price (and usually less) in my opinion.


BTW your case reminds me of the Christmas of 1992 when Giulio the rhythm guitarist of my band at the time bought a kiddy music album for his young little brother as a present.

It was Meantime by Helmet

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

I like them a lot other than the necks on them....

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

For a beginner I'd recommend a bolt-on guitar like a Strat. Those are built like tanks. If you really want to stay away from a Strat, then the a Mustang would be a great option.

Oh my God!!! :smack:

I've been playing guitar for decades, never broke or mangled one, don't understand how people do. Unless your family handles guitars like chimps do, you don't need durability to be a top priority. Fenders are typically bright-toned, which highlights very minor errors and that can be discouraging to beginners.

I love Epi's, there's some very good ones. Upgrade the PU's, do a set up, and they do what I need them to. There's a number of players that gig with them, including some international blues acts.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Oh my God!!! :smack:

I've been playing guitar for decades, never broke or mangled one, don't understand how people do. Unless your family handles guitars like chimps do, you don't need durability to be a top priority. Fenders are typically bright-toned, which highlights very minor errors and that can be discouraging to beginners.

I love Epi's, there's some very good ones. Upgrade the PU's, do a set up, and they do what I need them to. There's a number of players that gig with them, including some international blues acts.

Come on Blueman... We ALL know how the Gibson/Epi headstocks break off when you tune them to pitch....

hahaha

Arent the Iommis alittle thicker bodied than the regular SG??

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

The Iommi pups are pretty high output and kind of harsh. Great for low tuned stuff if thats what ur goin for.

+1

Gibson Tony Iommi pickups are wonderful for down-tuned guitar work. (What a surprise!) They are pretty so-so for most other things.

I have no idea what age the daughter is. Apart from hand/arm sizes, I do not think that it matter all that much.

Back in 1980, for his seventeenth birthday, my friend's parents bought him a Fender Stratocaster. He still has that guitar. He still cherishes it. He has always appreciated that guitar and his parents' generosity.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

FWIW: You are buying a guitar with a set of 300 dollar pickups.

I'd go for it. Those pickups have a decent clean tone with a series/parallel switch. I've owned two of them.

Thank you, grump. You just reminded me of an experiment that I once tried. Gibson TI pickups in SD Triple Shot surrounds.

The conductor wire colour codes are different but the basic idea is cool.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

I have no idea what age the daughter is. Apart from hand/arm sizes, I do not think that it matter all that much.

Angus Young is 5' 3" (or maybe 5' 2") and has no problem with the neck length on an SG.

 

[XPAULPITT]

Re: Epiphone Tony Iommi SG 400... what to expect

Why is it that Fender fanboys have to try and trash every other guitar that they dont have?