All user reviews for the Epiphone G-400

As said below the small Chinese cheap labor ...
the rest all is said.

UTILIZATION

I find the handle a little rough play, but probably because I also explore a gibson who is a true rgal.
For acute, weight, everything is said below.

For sound, I changed the micro acute for a humbucker DiMarzio.
I use a Marshall Valvestate, and I think it has a trs's pretty clear.
It has body, neck forces, and a lot of sustain.
Of the attack, the beach is rather low medium high with mediums.
For the micro serious I find much better than the original micro acute.
I Satu closer to the microphone cords acute because it was indeed a sound
trs no net, no attack, few cohrence, but now she takes on another dimension.

SOUNDS

I play punk rock, I opt for a prfr explore, but it's a matter of taste.
She's a rock n 'roll trs, I like to use it to catch his solo.
I like guitars with deep bass, the mediums with which I can easily gnrer harmonics and colors of her warm enough.
Sounds like too much too aggressive in the upper mids ...

OVERALL OPINION

was about 8 years that I have.
For the price quality ratio, I find it quite well.
What makes me .. ch! t is that it has built for small Western privilgibr /> by those exploits, but hey this is all about dlocalis so we can hardly avoid the when we are not millionaires ...
With experience, I would rather a gibson SG.

22 frets, Alnico humbucker, one volume knob and 1 tone knob for the microphone.
Tune-o-matic. 3 position selector micro.
Channel al. Photo of the guitar ===> http://apu.mabul.org/up/apu/2008/01/26/img-234158lom13.jpg.html <==

UTILIZATION

The handle is trs enjoyable ... a little big but you get done.
CHAC is necessarily to Agues gniale, you can go without problem we are not GNER not the case. At the same time it is a sg .
Ergonomics is not really pique gniale since the nose is pretty boring ... must be vigilant to rev it does not fall. APRS I t's just because it is quite heavy for her small body I found.

The position on the bridge gniale and rgl in crunch amp, nothing to say just gniale, the sound is easily adopted Angus
APRS in clean .... blah blah but it's not really a guitar to clean.
In distortion is great too

SOUNDS

It is perfect for my style of music (mainly to the AC / DC).
I play with is a Marshall Lead 12 my first dating from the 80's is simply excellent, with either a Marshall 15 CDR is just as well.

With Lead12, I get sound trs ... specially the 70's was not clean or overdrive ... between the two is really gniale. A bit of rock / blues 70's.

With 15CDR is cool too, really for the hard rock!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for very long (three weeks).
I love its shape because I always rv of the Angus Young SG!
I also like the sound is really good for his report qualitprix, even if in the neck pickup is not great, too fat to my taste.
I play a squier in deuxime guitar, and I like both.

With xprience, yes I would do probably did!

- In which country was it made? Indonesia
- How many frets, what kind of micro as well as their configuration? 22 frets 2 humbuckers
- What are the settings (volume, tone, micro switch ...)? A 3-position selector middle and treble rhythm
- What type of race? is a set neck round

UTILIZATION

- The handle is it fun? For me yes all depends on what you love to play
- Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy? It is therefore necessarily a sg
- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)? yes but it pitches down the big major problem with this epiphone ..
- Gets it easy to sound good? Ba ... say after his eyeGO ..

SOUNDS

- They are suitable to your style of music? Yes for me it is the versatile playing rock in general terms the metalleurx s'abstenenir can buy that has scratches if it takes a side effect or it changes the pickups (emg j'obterais for 81 and 85 ..)
- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play? Has a peavey 160 watts transistor (special scorpion 112) and a 15 watt marshall cdr
- What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)? I get a very fat admit his microphones is not the top of this guitar if you can still get after a few adjustments its a very beautiful country rock blues rock classic rock with reverb .. of course ..
- What are the sounds you prefer, you hate? The clean sound is downright awful with the regulation of foundations, but as I said in the dealer a little amp and the guitar even when you get something clean, but it is not the top for microphones

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it? 2 ½ years
- What is so special that you like most and least? Is the violin shape sg is really very beautiful picnic strongly against it by the nose a very bad balance between body and neck
- Have you tried many other models before buying it? Not really .. At that time I love ACDC I was the biggest fan and my tastes changed o Anyway understand why I chose this guitar was for Angus Young Anyway
- How would you rate the quality / price? The East has had 300 euros on thomann .. Well it was a nice violin, but the pickups are not so super pretty average
- With experience, you do again this choice? ... No, I thinks it's better not save money and bought a Mexican Fender rather than a epiphone sg I admit but we really want to have a sg the epiphone violin very well and so it is necessary to change the pickups to the head is itchy so used to it after but does not let go of your guitar strap over the leaves of the hop xD moidres therefore also predict and Straplock solid strap ..
It's still a good guitar

See below

UTILIZATION

- The handle is it fun?
Personally, I have big hands and it's nice, we are very comfortable

- Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy?
no problems for that

- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
light (I have a stratovolcano that is much heavier!) and as was said, she slumps
- Gets it easy to sound good?

Contrary to what has been said, I have a perfect clean sound of a Vox Valvetronix,
I try a bit of blues, and it is perfect!
but deposit more crunch, you set the amp and go for pure rock / hard rock, I said, I did not try a different amp!

SOUNDS

- They are suitable to your style of music?
I play rock / hard rock so I'm thrilled!
and will not disappoint me when I took the mood for a lil blues
it is appropriate for the metal a little but heavy / death ect ..., it is not made for that

- They are suitable to your style of music?
Vox Valvetronix 15wtt and its effects
later I would put a cry baby and it will be perfect!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
one week

- What is so special that you like most and least?
the +, the look, when you start a stratovolcano and that goes to the SG, it changes directly
handle very thick and sounds it out!

and - be careful when it pitches down, and find the straps to the strap-locks if risk of accident!

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I had a strato "phoenix" low end, I heard several model
hesitated between the ESP, or lespaul € pi, eventually it is this that my SG is in the eye

- How would you rate the quality / price?
I got in my little shop at 299 € with his first interview done by a luthier
it's worth!

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
yes yes and yes!
I had to play for 1 year, being self-taught beginner, I had lost what little gains over time, some scratching on the SG and all came back to me
I regret not having been to my first

To see other features on the site of Epiphone. I give it 7 because the pickups are really original drafts. I wish I had the''binding''on the handle as well as an expensive Gibson Silet ivory. Otherwise everything is perfect. Especially after my edits.

UTILIZATION

This is a G-400, the model using expensive Epiphone when I said it means that it is not the model but no Elitlist the base model. This is a guitar through his purchase. On stage, it is often said that thought I was playing with a Gibson. To those who say that the guitar is unbalanced, but I said, with Straplock you have no problems. And for his own good, I play indie / pop and is well suited to my style, when I changed the bridge pickup to a Seymour Duncan SH-4. It is coupled very well with the original neck pickup. I changed the bridge pickup just because I used only one. I give 9 because perfection does not exist!

SOUNDS

I play often on tube amps, a Fender Twin Reverb is terrible. On a traynor the crunch is fantastic. Fm212 on a crack I would say that it loses its vintage sound to a more hard rock sound. A versatile guitar with effects it takes all its charm. Especially with the SH-4! Jouissance is in overdrive and I am not talking about the sounds EHX Small Clone with.

OVERALL OPINION

After changing the Silet and tuners (which I found awful) for more traditional tuners. I recommend cete guitar for those who want an SG without paying the price Gibson. After modification, it is simply a monster! For the indie / pop is my best friend!

Adj silent while his written several times ...

UTILIZATION

- The handle is trs enjoyable, it is neither too thin nor too pais ...
- Access in acute is very easy (I started playing the guitar since today)
- The guitar pitches down, but I get used (weight issue is correct, I traveled with the guitar in a cardboard Ibanez store home [40 minutes] and I is nothing (almost) felt heavy)
- With the amp on what I play at the store, it gets a good sound easily with my Marshall rotten that I will not keep it hard ... trs

SOUNDS

- This guitar suits my style of music (rock, hard rock, metal)
- I play with a Marshall, I'm not going to keep

OVERALL OPINION

- I use this guitar since he was around 15 hours
- I type SG, what I like least ... I know yet
- C'tait love at first sight, I had already taken a number of conaissance scratch, I took this one in hand and hop ^ ^

It comes from Asia that's all I know.
21 frets, 2 humbuckers, mechanical the old stop bar, 3 pos switch + 1 volume, 1 Tone for micro, set neck wide enough, electronic "cheap".

UTILIZATION

Handle large and well finished frets not rev, it is not well equilibrated by playing up her nose-dived. But it remains trslgre.
(The fact of the active mount adds a little weight and balance makes it better)

SOUNDS

The micro level, serious tones as too fat and forget imprcis, against the acute trs is correct for this price range. I do not is never clear sound because the sound does not suit me. By saturation with a large against a password, set by the feedback DIFFERENT ds cblage to "cheap". Nanmoins the substain is INTERESTED.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since 2000 but since I do my ESP button a lot more honest. is an easy and lightweight guitar for beginners but as' shall adopt l. I redid the cblage and shielding to deal with feedback.
Edit: It is mounted with an EMG 81 and is recently back in my ds when he believes was installed. It sounds great, it has patina over time. I use it every day without exception.

Characteristics: see other reviews.

UTILIZATION

Handle very well. Easy. Glide, fast and pleasant.
Very light guitar, and as I'm not big, it's great and very comfortable. on the other hand, it stings severe nose .. grrrr. The mechanical stability. The jack is a little ballad.

SOUNDS

All styles. I confirm other notices:
1) very good and very good finish woodwork
Right notes, just run.
2) correct the original pickups (for the price), but a draft.
Originally it was a great place to develop and to have fun.
It is easy to make fun of AC / DC and other rocks.

OVERALL OPINION

Light, its friendly, good handle, nice shape.!
I found him an excellent price / quality ratio.
've Played Fender, Squier, Yamaha, Gibson, Aria, Ibanez, etc ...

Made in china!
22 frets
2 humbuckers alinico V
2 Vol. + 2 Ton.

stop bar bridge classic

Mahogany neck rosewood fingerboard, jumbo frets, fairly pais, most common brand MODELS ...

UTILIZATION

The handle is enjoyable and it is easy ... dplace agreements go well, as the bends, you can have a very expressive vibrato: in short anything. CHAC is sharp ux royal!

The guitar has all its weight in the handle? it looks like ... but stand under the right elbow can lcher the guitar and remains in place. the guitar is "small", it is forgotten and it is not bad ... I have changed my Explorer!

This is not a modern guitar, the natural sound of the instrument rfre that of the golden age of rock ... blues-rock '70!

SOUNDS

I play mostly blues rock: the guitar so well suited!

- Lights on an amp with a clear sound:
I am not convinced of the micro serious ... too bad! a buzz right now, you have to play on the amp eq.
By the microphone against his fever is all perfectly usable, it's on rock and roll! a good bite! trs's '60s ...
the two together, it is a little more versatile, agreements, etc. arpges ... but something is missing! on the other hand for the funk ... I have not figured out how to do with!

- In the crunch, the all is well! same is incredible ... has burned fat, a bite is rock, mchant, wild ...
What really are the pat volume pots ... that does not really go down the volume! (Until 6 / 10) but the rate of crunch, and a gain ... it is in top blues!
No need for pedals for extra gain! 7 knob rhythm and solo 10.

I find the pickups plutt correct in this context crunch "vintage".

- In frank saturation type "mtal" ... the need for additional microphones, a drool too much, it's not prcis, but with a fuzz, it plays well drooling ... Cream is found a natural context for the scratching!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 15 days following a change.
I like the crunch dynamics, volume pots full of nuances! micro acute in all cases ... the ease of play, the weight, look!
I like the pickups less severe, and (yet) rglage Factory: false silent guitar octave, 1 / 4 ton and the low E! not so rcupr disassembly of the bridges and reverse their position ... same funds but there is still missing ... 1 or 2 mm ... I do with.
The guitar is easily scratched so watch the mdiator, nails, centure, wristwatch etc ...

Think oil (with a product like SPECIFICATIONS lemon oil, fast freight ...) button, which is "raw"! the feeling is much better APRS.

report quality price is excellent, however. It is a Fline! but must not play esprer Manir crdible music with extreme ... it is a MODEL of inspiration "vintage". Should therefore play in the spirit!

Guitar made in Korea, 2007.
22 frets
Stop-bar tune-o-matic
2 volume knob, tone knob 2 (one for each humbucker), 3 position selector (treble, middle, rhythm)
Mechanical groove
Of all good, we approach the gibson.

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice, access to acute is fantastic, Angus will confirm
The guitar is not especially heavy but pitches down (to remedy it I use a strap suede approaching my clothes ...)

Sound: Micro-round draft enough, is added to the acute but hey you do with ...
Micro-bridge well Rock'n'Roll 60s, 70s and blues it's very nice ...

Finally the sound is not bad at this price but I think changed the Gibson 57 'or Seymour Duncan and my guitar can compete ac a real SG, for a more reasonable price!
Otherwise I think the strings are set too high so I'm going to change that!

SOUNDS

This guitar is more appropriate to Blues / Rock, Hard Type AC / DC but for the drool metal mics too! For other style of music, your way past ...

Marshall MG30 DFX with it sounds great, even with the original pickups.
The SG sounds warm and fat with the bridge pickup, but too serious with the neck pickup.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, I am rather very SATIF.
I love the retro style, the price ...
I immediately hung qd I tried it in stores after an SG special is rather for beginners. This is my second guitar after a pale copy of Start. The price / quality ratio is very honest, I think I refer this choice willingly.

For those who dream of a Gibson SG sublime, cheaper and exellent with new pickups!

Not bad ... the CHARACTERISTICS
Manufactures, with regard to the last MODELS, Korea ..
22 frets (which is perfect for me), no floyd.
2 humbuckers ... (Trs unfortunately bad quality)
Trs nice guitar! (Which is why I bought it)

UTILIZATION

The handle is trs correct, but the strings are too high (fortunately it is possible to adjust them!). CHAC is a real sharp to rgal! For cons, I think it makes this guitar is incredibly dbalance .. (Slumps)
Guitar lightweight compared to the weight Les Paul ...

SOUNDS

the guitar, I play mostly rock, pop, alternative rock, punk, metal .. priori, a SG (in same Epiphone) seems to indicate such use ..
But then the sound (in distortion or overdrive) is totally ROTTEN.
His case is a bit amlior by changing the pickups .. But it remains all the same as the "contour micro" (the wood of the guitar so) is trs low quality (despite esthtisme irrprochable imitating the wood of the Gibson SG)
The sound is rough trs regardless Dfine (yes, I know that Gibson is of the same, but the sound of the Epiphone SG is too Dfine)
It has nothing in common with the Gibson SG, except that its appearance gnrale.

300 euros ($ 400 CAN for me, nine), you can get much better with a guitar sound (Yamaha, Fender, for example)
If you want to stay in the guitars more "rock", there are Ibanez and Shecter trs that make good guitars.

Okay, sounds clean save the setting .. By changing the pickups, clean sounds are drinking at this price. So I do not give a score of 0, despite the worst distortion sounds I heard from a popular brand of guitar.

(I have never agreed a note as low a guitar)

OVERALL OPINION

I have this guitar for 3 years. I bought it just for its looks great (it as my second electric guitar).
I play the guitar for 6 years and to be honnte, I never knew the guitar as popular as it has a sound as ugly ...

I do not see other users who have given such high marks (9-10) ..
Probably because as than unconditional fans of AC / DC, they are proud to have the "" "rplique" "" from the legendary guitar of Angus Young.
I know she is not a Gibson (with 1000 euros Difference in price) but for this price ($ 400 CAN at home), it is even possible to have a guitar, not a dcoration ...

This is an older model that I bought in 1995. Made in South Korea in the Samick factory, it has some differences with the current model: dot markers, pickups without covers, black plexiglass knobs, no decorative inlay on the head, "GIBSON" marking on the truss-rod cover. Other than that, it is as much inspired by a '61 SG as the newer models: all mahogany set neck, 22 frets, small plate, Tune-o-matic + stop bar, two humbuckers served by a volume and tone each and a 3-position selector. And a beautiful finish that varies from maroon to carmine red depending on light.

UTILIZATION

The profile of the neck is quite thin and rounded, and flattens towards the body, which easily accessible high notes, it could even have 2 or 3 more frets.
The ergonomics are excellent, no need for a forearm chamfer like a strat because it falls naturally on the "hip" that is bevelled on both sides. The weight is reasonable, but balance is not perfect: it's head heavy. With a strap that "sticks" well and some habit (neck tilted up), it's a no-brainer.

SOUNDS

Let's say that my style of music is suitable for its sound (rather than the opposite ...). I have completely reworked the wiring, with split humbuckers, series wiring, etc. but I kept the original pick-ups. The sound is very fat, punchy, and not bright at all. This is even more so on the neck pick-up. These pick-ups are loud! In practice I only use the bridge pick-up, dimed. The volume pots are not very progressive, and yet the tone pots muddy the sound by removing all the treble. I discovered fairly recently that a simple wiring modification (50's wiring) makes for a much more usable sound, at the expense of the ability to mix "to zero" the pick-ups in the middle position. I do not know how the current G-400 is wired.

Sounds obtained are excellent for any kind of edgy rock and metal-not-too-symphonic, either rhythm or solo at various levels of saturation. In clean and crunch sounds, the blues is yours. It remains in a register fat or dark, never piercing or bright (unless you splits the pick-ups, you gain in treble what you loose in volume). The mahogany and set neck construction provide an impressive sustain. A tendency to feedback at high volume can be a problem on stage.
Edit 14/07/2013 : I finally decided to switch pick-ups a few months ago, for a Seymour Duncan kit (SH-4 JB bridge and SH-2N Jazz neck), and i'm rediscovering my guitar! The reason for change was mostly microphonics at high volume. The sound of the bridge PU is not fundamentally different, maybe a bit more defined but none more punchy. A bit better, but it was already good. The the other hand, for the neck PU, Wow! There were treble there, just not picked up by the original device! Lots of subtlety with crunch sound, and always fatness with some gain. Character remains mainly the same, but with wider possibilities thanks to a usable neck pick-up, and more subltl volume pots. I recommand to change at least the neck pick-up if it sounds too muddy for you.
OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 16 years, this is my first electric guitar. I had not tried anything else, I wanted the guitar of Angus and Tony.
Over the years, she took the blows, the frets are pretty worn ... but it still sounds! It is still my # 1 guitar. (Edit 2013 : it must now face the competition of its compatriot PRS SE ...)
I love the profile of the neck, not too thin nor too large for my small hands, the general shape which is very ergonomic and the versatility gained by electronic mods I added.
With experience, of course I would do the same choice ... most of my experience is based on that choice. However, the Epiphone productions have evolved, the average value as well, and my wallet too. If it catches fire, I might replace with a Gibson ...

I do not know the origin of the guitar but I find it well made.
22-fret set neck, trapezoid inlays.
Tune-o-Matic
Two Humbuckers Gibson (depending on the sticker stuck on it at the time) and toggle switch
2 volumes, 2 tones
Cherry red color (also a bit flashy but I love the wood grain apparent that comes out better than the dark red Gibson)
Mechanical epiphone which they say some are zero, I did not have to complain

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice, well-spaced chords, one is at ease to play
access to the treble is optimal because of the "horns" typical
Usability level against it is that hurts the bottom because the head is too heavy drop the handle and sometimes gives a few scares when we let loose and forget the neck!
(It seems that changing the meca for lighter and have a wide strap fixes the problem but not yet tested ^ ^)
At the knobs, the volumes are nickels in my tastes in against the Tones have little impact on the microphones except the "all or nothing"

SOUNDS

I bought this guitar to play the big metal hardcore (style of my group at the time), used with a pedal and a vox ad120vt electro harmonix big muff fuzz.
I wanted a deep, fat and dirty and that's what I ...
Today, with a higher level and a more eclectic style (metallica, dream theater, opeth over the standard rock / heavy as are the AC / DC, Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath) I think the pickups bcp less:
- Bridge pickup: one's a bit "scratchy" and not very accurate for the game against Rapid in agreements I find them pretty good. Clearly drop the Shreds but a good rock solo goes well
Micro-Channel: rough rough rough! Even with the tone all the way into the treble I find it lacks precision. I must constantly use a distortion pedal has very little grain to "specify" the sound.
As against the Stoner or Doom love!

I think now change the pickups for better but not yet chosen which

OVERALL OPINION

plain:

it's a good guitar to me, ten years pdt bring very good sensations. But with experience it appears as a potential guitar (violin that I find perfect) but requires many changes
Initially the microphones because you realize pretty quickly that for other things that rock and nag (neo drop in, HxC, punk / rock etc) is limited and soon starved micro precision
Then MECAS: mine have accused the weight of years and I have to change them.
Others talk about the knobs, the nut, the electronic ... Hmm should I try but it all put together it quickly exceeds the purchase price! is it worth it?

but hey I love this guitar still is with patience and perseverance to find good settings I managed to do something (the two demos I recorded it with him pay tribute ^ ^ ) and I do not regret my "Made Metal Machine"

and I think in the near future I hack myself to monopolize the beast

Mine was made in Korea. Unlike the newer models, she overlays type "dot" on the sidelines, instead of trapezoids. There was not the "tulip" on the head and the microphones were "open coil" (without covers) to non-adjustable pads. Little more, however: the mechanical oil bath.
Aesthetics plus "gross stripping", so, approaching more the look that SG Standard SG Special.
Otherwise, the classic mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, set neck, two humbuckers, 3 position toggle switch, 2 volume, 2 tones.
Since this model has changed somewhat in appearance, and production was later moved to China.

UTILIZATION

The handle type "slim taper60" is very fine and very comfortable. It will show just a bit tiring in the long pieces on the bars (due to its fineness) and will not give as much support as a profile 59 '. But we can not have it all. In any case, this handle is very fast, and access to acute in fact evil, ultimately, a real highway.
The ergonomics are very good, the guitar is very thin and very light, and he blamed just a very clear trend (much sharper than on a Gibson SG) to pitch down. We must therefore choose a strap large enough that it is not annoying.
Otherwise, it is impeccable: a remarkable ease of playing!
His level, do not worry: you plug and it sounds!

SOUNDS

Its level, with the former open coil pickups, it sounds very, very big.
Whether on the bridge pickup or the neck pickup, the output level is impressive, and it sounds very fat, very thick, very dense, including clear sound that offers a lot of roundness. All with great sustain. We can however blame these microphones on one side a bit rude, grotesque, gross stripping, and a lack of precision ... but it also has its charm. In any case, it does not lack character ...
This will be perfect for hard rock and we can tap into the metal without any problems. But the guitar will come out too well for rock, and honorably for the blues.
Accessories is a real treat to play at the bottleneck.

The following models, I had the opportunity to play several times, seemed to me to be less successful in pure violin (it's still very correct), even if their less sober finish gave them a distinct advantage over the aesthetic.
The pickups are also different: Epiphone them mounted Alnico more civilized, objectively better, but some find a bit anemic (objectively, they are not that much!) And a little transparent.

Of these guitars, the quality of the violin can be considered quite an upgrade pickups. A good kit Seymour Duncan (for example) will make a formidable war machine.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for over fifteen years. I ended up selling it to a friend a few years after buying a Gibson SG Standard.
At the time, I was not immortalized in the tests: I wanted a guitar which sounds good, which is gouache and that looks like an SG. I, just in case, tried the Epiphone Les Paul LP100, sold at the same price, but that did not really compare (in particular because of its handle screwed to me unacceptable). I also tried the Chevy Les Paul, very good, but I preferred the SG ...
I then tried other guitars in the same style (Vintage, C77 CS2 ...), some were very good, but none gave me some regrets over the G400.
On mine, I ended up replacing the pickups with Gibson 490 of Recycling.

This is a guitar that I can only advise.
Of course, it does not compete with a big Gibby, but the price / quality ratio is quite excellent.

The Epiphone G-400 is a budget priced version of the Gibson SG produced in Asia by Epiphone. The design is based off the early 60s version of the Gibson SG with the small batwing style pickguard. The G-400 has been produced for over 20 years and has been a standout of the Epiphone line. It is less than half the price of a Gibson SG but it is more than half the guitar. The G-400 comes with Grover tuners on the headstock of a 22 fret neck with a rosewood fretboard. The fretboard is bound with rosewood instead of plastic. It is made from mahogany and has a classy white finish. It has the classic Les Paul electronics setup with dual humbuckers and dual tone and volume controls with a 3 way toggle pickup selector. The pickups in this special model are fully active EMG pickups. It has the EMG 81 in the bridge and the 85 in the neck, the classic metal combination.

UTILIZATION

With the dual cutaways of the SG design the upper frets are very easy to reach. It has the Gibson 60s profile neck which is the preferred profile for guitar players. In the 50s Gibson necks were very large and referred to as baseball bat necks. In the 60s Gibson switched to a slimmer neck design. This slimmer design is what the G-400 has. One problem SG's is that the neck is mounted far out on the body and with the body being thinner than a Les Paul the guitar is slightly neck heavy. When you are standing up and playing the neck may want to drop down and you may find yourself holding the neck up.

SOUNDS

The guitar has the classic SG sound. With the mahogany body you get a full sound and since it is slightly thinner than a Les Paul you get more high end bite on your sound. The heavy metal EMG pickups provide a sweet heavy metal tone. The 81 in the bridge has been an iconic metal pickup for decades. It has a high end crunch and distortion that gives it clarity no matter how much gain you are using or how low you tune. The 85 in the neck is a great pickup too. It has a more fuller sound than the 81 so in the neck position you can get fat lead tones. The 85 is also good too in the bridge. With EMG's quick connect system you can easily swap these pickups position without soldering anything. The 85 in the bridge produces a super thick tone and cleans up better than the 81. Speaking of cleans if you do the 18v mod on the EMG's. With the 18v mod you run the pickups on two batteries instead of one. This provides a more organic tone with more headroom.

OVERALL OPINION

The Epiphone G-400 has all the same pieces that a Gibson SG has. The only difference is that it was made in another part of the world. This guitar with the EMG pickups will give you better metal tones than any Gibson SG with Gibson pickups. It is nice for Epiphone to put out moderately priced guitars that come with high end pickups. You could not make the guitar this cheap by yourself if you got a normal G-400 and a set of EMG's for it. They are doing it for you from the factory. If you are looking for an SG and dont have much money to spend this is your best bet.