Epiphone G-400
Encyclopedia
The G-400 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.
production moved to Korea in cooperation with the Samick
Corporation, the G-400 has been in continuous production for twenty-one years.
Upon introduction, it featured 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 "Semi-open Book" headstock.
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 1999, 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.
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.
The Epiphone G-400 does feature a bound fingerboard, contrary to popular belief. It is bound with rosewood
rather than plastic (like the Gibson SG
). It is almost unnoticeable, but can be distinguished under the right lighting.
. Features include pointed "devil's horns" cutaways, smaller pickguard
(but in some cases, such as the 1966 model or any limited edition model, there is still a large pickguard), 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 head
s.
Signature, Gothic and an Alpine White EMG
pickup outfitted Limited Edition, the latter of which is very rare.
The Japanese-made Elitist G-400 has a slightly different shaped headstock than most Epiphone models.
G-400 features:
/Epiphone
dealers.
(Note: the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG)
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
solid body electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
model produced as a more modestly priced version of the famous Gibson SG
Gibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
. Currently, Epiphone is a subsidiary of Gibson
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
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.
History
Introduced five years after EpiphoneEpiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
production moved to Korea in cooperation with the Samick
Samick
Samick is the name of a Korea-based musical instrument manufacturer, one of the largest in the world.The name refers to the entire Samick Musical Instruments, which owns several manufacturers of pianos, guitars, and other instruments. The company started as 'Samick Pianos' in 1958, manufacturing...
Corporation, the G-400 has been in continuous production for twenty-one years.
Upon introduction, it featured 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 "Semi-open Book" headstock.
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 1999, the vast majority of G-400s were built in Korea by the Samick
Samick
Samick is the name of a Korea-based musical instrument manufacturer, one of the largest in the world.The name refers to the entire Samick Musical Instruments, which owns several manufacturers of pianos, guitars, and other instruments. The company started as 'Samick Pianos' in 1958, manufacturing...
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.
Woods
The EpiphoneEpiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
G-400 is made of Philippine/Indonesian mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban 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.
The Epiphone G-400 does feature a bound fingerboard, contrary to popular belief. It is bound with rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
rather than plastic (like the Gibson SG
Gibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
). It is almost unnoticeable, but can be distinguished under the right lighting.
Features
The design of the G-400 follows that of the Gibson SGGibson SG
At the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
. Features include pointed "devil's horns" cutaways, smaller pickguard
Pickguard
A pickguard is a piece of plastic or other laminated material that is placed under the strings on the body of a guitar, mandolin or similar plucked string instrument...
(but in some cases, such as the 1966 model or any limited edition model, there is still a large pickguard), trapezoidal fingerboard inlays (late 80s and early 90s models had dot inlays), dual humbucker
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
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 head
Machine head
A machine head is part of a string instrument ranging from guitars to double basses, a geared apparatus for applying tension and thereby tuning a string, usually located at the headstock. A headstock has several machine heads, one per string...
s.
Variants
The G-400 is available in many models, including G-400, Deluxe, Deluxe Flametop, Custom, Vintage, '66 Limited edition, SG Special, Tony IommiTony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
Signature, Gothic and an Alpine White EMG
EMG, Inc.
EMG, Inc. is the current legal name of a company based in Santa Rosa, California which manufactures guitar pickups and EQ accessories. Founded in 1976, the company was originally called Dirtywork Studios. The name was changed to "Overlend" in 1978 and then to the current name in 1983...
pickup outfitted Limited Edition, the latter of which is very rare.
The Japanese-made Elitist G-400 has a slightly different shaped headstock than most Epiphone models.
Faded G-400
The Faded G-400 features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- MahoganyMahoganyThe name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
neck and body - Set neck construction
- RosewoodRosewoodRosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays - 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Colors available: Worn Cherry and Worn Brown.
G-400
The G-400 features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany body with African mahogany veneers
- "Slim taper" set mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Also available left-handed (since 2003, Cherry finish only)
- Colors available: Ebony, Cherry, Vintage White (discontinued), Worn Brown, and Metallic Light Blue (discontinued).
G-400 Custom
The G-400 Custom features:- Three Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Gold hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Set Mahogany neck and body
- Neck and headstock binding
- Rosewood fingerboard with "block" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Colors available: Antique Ivory and Ebony (discontinued).
G-400 Deluxe
The G-400 Deluxe features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Gold hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany neck
- Mahogany body with flamed maple veneer
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Colors available: Vintage Sunburst.
Tony Iommi G-400
The Tony IommiTony Iommi
Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in...
G-400 features:
- GibsonGibsonGibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
USA Tony Iommi humbuckers - Black chrome hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany body
- "Slim taper" set mahogany neck
- Tony Iommi's signature screened on truss rod cover
- Strap button relocated to top horn
- 24 fret rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl "cross" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Also available left-handed
- Colors available: Ebony.
Limited Edition Models
Several Limited Edition models have been produced for different licensed GibsonGibson
Gibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
/Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
dealers.
G-400 1966 Reissue
The G-400 1966 Reissue features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- MahoganyMahoganyThe name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
neck and body - Set neck construction
- RosewoodRosewoodRosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays - "Batwing" style pickguard
- Colors available: Ebony, Heritage Cherry, Silverburst, and Wood Grain.
(Note: the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG)
G-400 w/EMGs
The G-400 w/EMGs features:- EMG 81/85 humbuckersEMG, Inc.EMG, Inc. is the current legal name of a company based in Santa Rosa, California which manufactures guitar pickups and EQ accessories. Founded in 1976, the company was originally called Dirtywork Studios. The name was changed to "Overlend" in 1978 and then to the current name in 1983...
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany neck and body
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- Colors available: Alpine White.
G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola
The G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Chrome hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany neck and body
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- Maestro Vibrola tailpiece
- Colors available: Cherry, Ebony w/ gold hardware, Pelham Blue.
G-400 Korina
The G-400 Korina features:- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Gold hardware
- Mahogany body with korinaKorinaKorina may refer to:* Korina language, an Arauan language of Brazil and Peru* Korina Sanchez , Filipino journalist* Terminalia superba, also known as Korina in the US, a large tree native to tropical western Africa....
veneers - Set mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- Colors available: Natural.