SG G-400 Review

This guitar definitely fits my needs and handles my music excellently. It is as good or better then all other Epiphones in most areas. It looks very close to a Gibson besides the Epiphone logo on the headstock.

Features:	7.8
Sound:	7.8
Action:	8
Reliability:	7
Impression:	7.8
Overall rating:	7.8
Reviewer rating:	7.7
Users rating:	7.9
Votes:	92

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 19, 2011

Price paid: $ 320

Purchased from: Sam Ash Music

Features: Here are some specs listed on the Epiphone website:

- Body Material: Mahogany
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: SlimTaper(TM)
- Neck Joint: Glued-In, Set Neck
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 12"
- Nut Width: 1.68"
- Hardware: Chrome
- Machine Heads: Grover 14:1 Ratio
- Neck Pickup: Alnico Classic (TM) Humbucker
- Bridge Pickup: Alnico Classic Plus (TM) Humbucker
- Controls: 1-Neck Volume, 1-Neck Tone. 1Bridge Volume, 1-Bridge Tone
- Pickup Selector: 3-Way Toggle Switch, Epiphone All-Metal
- Bridge: LockTone(TM) Tune-o-matic
- Tailpiece: LockTone(TM) Stopbar
- Warranty: Epiphone Limited Lifetime
- Picture: http://epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=2023
- Cable and Owner's manual included.

In addition, available in Heritage cherry and ebony finishes, and has 22 frets. The tuners are Grover locking tuners and I have played with the guitar for days and it RARELY goes out of tune, however a few times while tuning down, the 1st string snapped. // 8

Sound: I've only played for 1 year and this is the only guitar I've owned but I've played others at stores including Gibsons. I usually play hard rock/heavy metal like AC/DC, KISS, and Led Zeppelin. This guitar is perfect for the genre and the treble pickup, which I use most of the time, is amazing. It's almost as good as a Gibson.

The rhythm pickup should ONLY be used on clean and gets muddy while distorted. Everything distorted sounds better with the treble pickup, even stuff meant to be played on the rhythm pickup. But it is still good for playing clean. Though I usually play hard rock I still dabble in other genres and this SG definitely adapts and is great for slow blues.

The only other problems with the sound are very high up the fret board, the 6th string buzzes and the 1st and 2nd strings are sometimes muted. I have tried adjusting the Bridge to no avail. Maybe it's just the way I'm playing? Somewhat doubt it. I still give it a 7 because the treble pickup is so sweet. I usually play on a Line 6 Spider IV 15 amp. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: When I bought this guitar I didn't play it first, first because this wasn't the one on the wall (I played the one on the wall, probably should have played this one too) and also because I couldn't play guitar. Someone at Sam Ash set it up and it sounded great except the action was slightly low, causing some buzzing.

My finish was in cherry and it was either 1 piece of mahogany or perfectly bookmatched. The finish was shiny, awesome, and made me feel like I owned a SG worth $5, 000! (A Les Paul's cherry sunburst finish still beats it, but that's it). // 10

Reliability & Durability: In the year I've owned it, I've banged it into my bed's headboard numerous times but only has 1 small dent only noticeable by running your finger across it. I've read other reviews where nothing happens to their guitar ever. Mine's had some issues, all under warranty, like my treble pickup randomly stopped working, and one of the tone knobs kept turning and turning without stopping. Also the included cord blew out after 7 or 8 months but I guess that was expected.

All of these mishaps, except the cord, were easily solved at Sam Ash. By the way, these were real problems and not just me not realizing something or being dumb because I was a beginner. Lastly, the strap buttons SUCK and they fail every minute and a half. But, I easily fixed this with straplocks. The finish hasn't changed a bit since I got it. // 5

Impression: This guitar definitely fits my needs and handles my music excellently. It is as good or better then all other Epiphones in most areas. It looks very close to a Gibson besides the Epiphone logo on the headstock.

For 1/4 of the price of a Gibson it is almost 3/4 the sound. I am very happy with this guitar despite it's bugs, which I hope I have stamped out. The only reason I would stop using this guitar is to upgrade to a Gibson. If it were stolen, and I didn't have the money to buy a Gibson, I would definitely buy this again. // 8

overall: 9

Reviewed by: tylermclovein, on march 09, 2012

Purchased from: my sister

Features: I have the 2002 made in Japan or China I'm not sure I can't remember. It has 22 jumbo frets with a solid mahogany body and a glued in set neck. But if your looking at this review I'm sure you know what this guitar has feature wise. I love love this guitar its very good for a first time learner or an advance player. // 9

Sound: OK I play a lot of harder sounding stuff like Parkway Drive, Asking Alexandria, Three Days Grace, AX7, A Day To Remember, a bunch of different types of music. All and all I love this guitar but just the guitar by its self with no distortion pedal or effects it can't get the hardcore sound you would want for bands like Parkway Drive and Asking Alexandria but this guitar dose great on it own it pretty much good for it all but with a distortion pedal this guitar is perfect. And it also sounds beautiful on clean. I really only use the treble pick up it sounds the best in my opinion but both pick ups are nice. I've had no problem keeping it tune and all the frets sound nice and clear. I use a sliver tone amp and a Fender Frontman neler of these amps are good by any means but it seems no mater what this guitar is plugged into it sounds great I've tried in prob 20 different amps all sound good. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The pickup where perfect I didn't have a problem with the I had to lower the bridge and that's it everything else was perfect there was nothing wrong with it when I got it and it was at least 6 years old when I got it I've had I I've owned for 2 years and still just as good. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It doesn't take alot to hurt this guitar it very easy to ding it I leave a mark on it but that wont be a problem as long as you treat it nicely. I have a band and so for it can stand being played for hours without going out of tune so I'd say yes you can use it as a gig guitar the strap buttons are ok I recommend strap locks the finish is very very nice one this guitar it still looks new and the guitar is getting pretty old so good finish. // 8

Impression: I would say but this it feels great plays nicely I only have one thing I really just hate about this guitar it seems to be a little top heavy like when standing with the guitar if you completely let go the head stock flys down this guitar is not balanced at all I wish it was black instead of red but its really the only thing I wish was different other then the balance. Oh and this guitar looks and feels like it is worth a lot of money and is very good to just show off how pretty it is. Before I forget I had to replace the amp jack and reroute it to the bottom of the guitar cause the original on broke and there was a big hole in my guitar for awhile but now its fixed and my guitar looks custom and a lot cooler now so I'm kinda happy it happen it looks very cool and only cost me 50$ to get it fixed. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 19, 2012

Price paid: $ 349.99

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: - 22 frets
- rosewood fretboard
- "grover" tuners
- 2 vol, 2 tone knobs
- 3 way pickup selector
- 24 3/4 scale
- alnico humbucking pickups
- made in Japan 2009. // 8

Sound: I play mostly hard rock like Van Halen, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin, dabbling a little bit in blues and punk rock, this guitar fits those styles just fine. I am currently set up with a Vox AD50VT for bedroom practice and a Blackheart Handsome Devil Head with a Marshall cab for band practice, this guitar ventures into most realms of music perfectly fine, while being a bit twangy in the bridge pickup on clean settings. The intonation is not so good on it for solos, very sharp so you can hit 2 notes octaves apart and they would sound different. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: Factory setup was VERY bad but not that hard to fix. The action was ungodly high and the frets buzzed all over the place. The intonation was terrible. Again, only took about an hour with a screwdriver and some .09 gauge slinkies to fix. Pickups were set up high. Too high. They were really harsh, not hard to fix but inconvenient. Bridge was (you guessed it) HIGH but easy to adjust with a flathead. I like the tune-o matic bridge for it's ease but not for its abilities. Guitar looks beautiful and all electronics are functioning and sturdy. YOU WILL NEED A PROPER SETUP FOR THIS GUITAR TO SOUND GOOD. // 4

Reliability & Durability: The guitar seems built like a tank. No complaints here. I would definitely play without a backup. // 10

Impression: Pretty nice for the hard rock style music. I really wish I had played the one I was going to actually buy... BAD setup. PLEASE READ - change the strings right away! The.10s sound like abaolute shit. I would more than likely buy another one, great value for the money, I really like the easy access devil horns body shape but I hate the intonation in the higher frets. It's like the sound just drops out. Very fragile tone compared to my Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro but with the right pickups it would sound bada-s. I like it alot. // 8

overall: 6.6

Reviewed by: Gabe_Esp, on september 13, 2011

Price paid: $ 350

Purchased from: guitar center

Features: I believe it was made in china. 22 frets, I'm not sure what wood, The fretboard is rosewood though. I had a black finish but it was a little cheap not the best. Passive pickups aren't bad not great. ( don't bother upgrading ) 3 way selector with neck and bridge humbucker pickups. It does have pretty nice grover tuners. ( if you buy the guitar and scrap it take the tuners ) // 6

Sound: Good for rock players, Hard rock, blues, post hardcore, punk. sound is MEH, it sounds good for a beginner guitar, It sounds crappy even with thicker strings with any tuning past D standard, But if you play drop D, E standard or half a step down it sounds pretty good. Its not a thin tone but the sustain isn't to die for. ( if your a beginner then yes it is ) // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: Action is pretty good, not a shredders dream guitar but good for chords, tight chord action and blues Pentatonics. Its not a Gibson but it sounds decent, action is nice for the price. // 8

Reliability & Durability: DURABIILITY IS MY ONLY MAJOR COMPLAIN, this thing falls apart. even though it looks nice and classy. The input jack after a while constantly comes loose electronics become loose after constant wear.

If you exchange the electronics and wiring then yes it could be almost a Gibson ( ofcourse if you don't know much about gibsons) // 5

Impression: Overall good sound for a certain player ( wish it had 24 frets) Cheap finish and electronics, good action ( not my fav action personally but pretty good none the less)

I wouldn't purchase this again cause of the shitty quality ( after owning this for 8 months in your bedroom you'll understand, it doesn't break down right away though)

The epi Les Paul is much better my friend has been playing his for 2 years and the only problems he has is that its just not a Gibson lol. // 6

Comments

[Ragu35]

I agree that it's a pretty good SG for its price, but comparing it to Gibson's SGs really aren't going to make you very popular around here.

[guitar rookie 6]

I have the same guitar (bought it from my cousin )
I haven't had any buzzing while playing.
and yeah the treble pickup is sweet

[DIFTWOOD]

friend has one plays nice like it for the price

[Most_Triumphant]

get the faded, its the same thing, and who cares if it doesnt look the greatest.

[austin riddle]

the faded is actually gorgeous in faded red

[J-dog-Ibanez]

I have that guitar,I got it in silver burst color though.It's a really nice guitar

[Cannibal Koala]

Ragu35 wrote:

I agree that it's a pretty good SG for its price, but comparing it to Gibson's SGs really aren't going to make you very popular around here.

+1 I got reported for trolling for saying that a LP Standard played like an Epiphone in the forums.

[grungelive72]

I really do prefer this to the newer Gibson models. The new Gibson SGs have terrible fat and unwieldy necks, this one is not so fat and very comfortable. The Epiphone is less prone to neck dives as the Gibson one as well. Of course the Gibson one sounds better, but with a few hundred dollars you could put burstbuckers or classic 57's or seymour duncans in it and make it sound almost identical. Epiphone is a much better value IMO

[Supercolio]

All I've heard about Epi's SG's is that they are not as good as Tokai's. I own Tokai SG-43 and I love it, I guess there is not that much difference between them, so I believe that this is a good guitar.

[blake1221]

I can guarantee you it's not 3/4 the sound.

[mrrman]

I had a black one with 3 pickups...it was a great guitar but I later sold it for an ESP

[Tiago Sa]

The guy from a nearby store showed me a G-400 guitar being the neck like crazy. The notes would be terribly affected by how hard we pulled it. Was that a problem with that specific specimen or are they all like that?

I have a Epiphone Les Paul and the neck does bend a bit, but I need to pull it or push it a lot, which I don't, but still.

[Dukey]

I friend of mine has this guitar.

It was the only time I played an electric guitar by Epiphone that doesn't sound like shit...
Very comfortable...

And yes, if you'll check my profile you'll figure out why do I show off over this guitar.

[runt6321]

I have one and absolutely love it! I am kind of a beginner myself and replaced my Squier Strat with this SG and it made worlds of difference. I'm also a huge Angus fan and I thank him for my decision to get this one. I have recomended Epiphone guitars to everyone that asks me for advice.

[Gainsayer]

Have one... Prefer my LTD EX-50 to be honest.

[mydian]

Tiago Sa wrote:

The guy from a nearby store showed me a G-400 guitar being the neck like crazy. The notes would be terribly affected by how hard we pulled it. Was that a problem with that specific specimen or are they all like that?

I have a Epiphone Les Paul and the neck does bend a bit, but I need to pull it or push it a lot, which I don't, but still.

Slash broke a Les Paul neck doing that.

[sl1pk0t001]

SGs are way too heavy!

[jbob145]

Im getting one in a few day!!!!! AHHHHH

[Duncas]

Slash broke a Les Paul neck doing that.

also broke his face when it hit him in the nose

[CrawlingHorror]

"Of course the Gibson one sounds better, but with a few hundred dollars you could put burstbuckers or classic 57's or seymour duncans in it and make it sound almost identical. Epiphone is a much better value IMO "

Exactly. I just bought an Epi Korina Explorer as a project guitar. I'm going to replace the pickups, tuners, electronics and nut on it and, after it's set up, the total cost will still be $400-500 less than the cheapest Gibby Explorer.

[acdcgrohl6]

i have that guitar it is good

[Fragmatyc]

Personnally, I own a SG, but only for the look of it! That's great, I mean, I know Epiphone can make a guitar THE EXACT same thing. Reading the summary taken from epiphone's web site, they use the same wood, same bridge. Maybe the pickups are different, but that guitar should really sound approximatly as mine. I have a Standard SG that I bought for 1200$. Any way, I didnt have ANY problem with it, I guess that why I paid that much (thought its not really much for an SG)... Im sure it plays really well! Great review btw!

[guitar.freak14]

Looking at buying one of these! I have a schecter right now,so I want something for more classic rock. This one looks really good for the price

[foopeppers]

I have this guitar and its awesome. I play rock and blues and get a fantastic tone from it using a Marshall JTM60 valve amp. I got mine new for a very good price of £169 3 years ago and it has been a great workhorse of a guitar. Its a great guitar for those of us who cannot yet afford a gibson. The one downside I can think of is that the finish seems to scratch quite easily but when it does, it isnt that noticeable.

[swave75]

This is a great guitar. I love it!!!

[ClickSwitch]

I've had this for 5 years and i'm sick of it, pickup switch is broken, frets are worn pretty badly and the tone sucks.

Great if your starting out, but don't gig with it, something will definitely go wrong. (Cable Jack breaks aswell)

[techde]

Acabo de comprar esta guitarra en un viaje a Washington, la compre en GUITAR CENTER, en 300$, la verdad muy buena, muy buena la informacion que nos das aqui. Buena compra. Sounds Good.

[jolly_26]

I have one of these, pretty sweet guitar really, plays very well with a good setup. Replaced the bridge with a slightly heavier unit, really seemed to help a lot, the tone seems to hit a bit harder, if that makes sense. Also has a kill switch for some Morello fun. Try a a P90 in the neck, just do it. So sweet.

[Most_Triumphant]

I love how this one has user rating of 7.9 but the faded version (same thing less glossy) only has like a 5.7

[rv_phoenix]

Well, the gloss finish is 80% of this guitar's look. And, since we speak about poor man's Gibson, it has to look at least decent, not like a trimmed-off copy, as the faded version actually looks like...
But ratings here at the UG are irrelevant anyway. You can actually notice copy guitars made in China, Indonesia, Vietnam etc. getting higher ratings than original Fenders or Gibsons.

[fuzzthedog]

sl1pk0t001 wrote:

SGs are way too heavy!

Pansie.

[Epirechaun694]

fuzzthedog wrote:

sl1pk0t001 wrote:

SGs are way too heavy!

Pansie.

+1. SG's are probably some of the lightest guitars you can get. I love them, I used to be a Les Paul guy but something about the SG shape and how thin they are just gets to me.

[FearOfTheDuck]

After 5 years of gigging and abuse, mine still sounds better than my friends fernandes through a marshall valve amp.

[MaggaraMarine]

Epirechaun694 wrote:

fuzzthedog wrote:

sl1pk0t001 wrote:

SGs are way too heavy!

Pansie.

+1. SG's are probably some of the lightest guitars you can get. I love them, I used to be a Les Paul guy but something about the SG shape and how thin they are just gets to me.

I think that was a joke.

[skyman457]

Just bought this guitar from my local store, and I must say that no other guitar could beat this guitar for the price I got it for. I bought it for £199, definitely 10/10.

[djBeWilmingtnNC]

The gloss cherry sg-400 streets for only $350...the faded cherry streets for $300...the $50 difference is the smallest difference between "faded" or "worn" and "gloss" of any model Gibson/Epi makes. Gibson SG faded streets for $700, the glossy version is $1l00, $400 more but you do also get pup covers and trap inlays instead of dots. Gibson Flying V is $250 price difference, $950 vs $1200, for gloss. Vintage brown worn SG-400s are ok,and there is no gloss brown, but if you want cherry color, go for the gloss its worth the extra fifty.

[Callus1]

rv_phoenix wrote

You can actually notice copy guitars made in China, Indonesia, Vietnam etc. getting higher ratings than original Fenders or Gibsons.

And it never occurred to you that the ratings on UG might be relative to the price of the guitar in question? No? Oh dear...

[JamsWithFeel]

This was my first electric.....please don't compare it to higher end guitar