Epiphone G-400

Epiphone G-400
Manufacturer Epiphone
Period 1989-present
Construction
Body type Solid
Scale 24.75"
Woods
Body Mahogany,Korina
Neck Mahogany, Korina
Hardware
Bridge Tune-o-Matic with stopbar tailpiece, Maestro Tremolo
Pickup(s) 2 "Alnico Classic" humbuckers with chrome covers and Alnico V magnets[1]
Colors available
Standard: ebony and cherry. Faded: worn brown and worn cherry. Deluxe: vintage sunburst. Other: Guitar Center sells an exclusive G-400 in alpine white finish, Pelham Blue[1]

The G-400 (or sometimes G400) is an Epiphone solid body electric guitar model produced as a more modestly priced version of the famous Gibson SG. Currently, Epiphone is a subsidiary of Gibson and manufactures the G-400 and other budget models at a lower cost in Asia. Visually and ergonomically, it is almost identical to a 1962 SG.[1]

History

Introduced in 1989[2] after Epiphone production moved to Korea in cooperation with the Samick Corporation, the G-400 has been in continuous production for twenty-four years.

Upon introduction, it featured dot fretboard inlays, two open-coil humbuckers, green key tuners with the Epiphone logo stamped on their backs, a differently shaped truss rod cover with "Gibson" printed vertically, black "speed" knobs, and "narrow-open Book" headstock. By 1990, the G-400 was sporting the modern "clipped-ear" headstock with no holly inlay[3]

In 1996, several features of the G-400 were changed. These changes included black "top hat" knobs with silver inserts, trapezoidal fretboard inlays, chrome covers on the humbuckers, and a "holly" headstock inlay.

Until 2002, the vast majority of G-400s were built in Korea by the Samick Corporation. Now, most G-400s are built in Epiphone's Qingdao, China plant.

In 2002, Epiphone began using Grover tuners on the G-400. In 2004, the truss rod cover was changed to the current shape with "SG" printed on it. In 2005, the logo ink stamped on limited edition models was changed. In 2009, the G-400 (along with several other Epiphone models) made the switch from chrome-plated hardware to nickel-plated hardware. Also, the neck was changed to a "slim taper" profile.[1] in 2012, Epiphone introduced the G-400 Pro with Alnico Classic PRO™ 4-wire humbuckers.

Woods

The Epiphone G-400 is made of Philippine/Indonesian mahogany (more commonly known as Luan, Lauan or Meranti, botanic genus Shorea which has 196 subspecies), which is not actually related to the mahogany species. In 2005, Epiphone began putting thin veneers of African mahogany on the front and back of the Cherry finished G-400s.[1]

Features

The design of the G-400 follows that of the Gibson SG. Features include dual pointed cutaways, smaller pickguard (but in some cases, such as the 1966 model or any limited edition model, there is still a large pickguard), set neck, trapezoidal fingerboard inlays (late 80s and early 90s models had dot inlays), dual humbucker pickups, and beveled mahogany body. The biggest visual differences from the Gibson SG are the Epiphone headstock and wood-bound neck. The standard G-400, not limited edition, is available in two finishes: ebony and cherry. The Faded G-400 comes in worn brown and worn cherry. In addition, new models now have Grover-brand machine heads.[1]

Variants

The G-400 is available in many models, including G-400, Deluxe, Deluxe Flametop, Custom, Vintage, '66 Limited edition, SG Special, Tony Iommi Signature, Gothic and an Alpine White EMG pickup outfitted Limited Edition, the latter of which is very rare.[4]

The Japanese-made Elitist G-400 has a slightly different shaped headstock than most Epiphone models.

Faded G-400

The Faded G-400 features:

G-400

The G-400 features:

G-400 Custom

The G-400 Custom features:

G-400 Deluxe

The G-400 Deluxe features:

Tony Iommi G-400

The Tony Iommi G-400 features:

Limited Edition Models

Several Limited Edition models have been produced for different licensed Gibson/Epiphone dealers.

G-400 1966 Reissue

The G-400 1966 Reissue features:

(Note: the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG)[7]

G-400 w/EMGs

Epiphone G-400 with EMG pickups

The G-400 w/EMGs features:

G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola

The G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola features:

G-400 Korina

The G-400 Korina features:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Epiphone SG G-400". Epiphone.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  2. ↑ 1989 Epiphone Catalog
  3. ↑ 1990 Epiphone Catalog
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Epiphone SG Tony Iommi G-400". Epiphone.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "Epiphone SG Faded G-400". Epiphone.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Epiphone SG G-400 Custom". Epiphone.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Epiphone SG 1966 G-400". Retrieved 23 February 2012.

See also