Epiphone SG G-400 (Ebony)

Prized example of the classic SG in Ebony.

As authorized by Gibson, Epiphone's G-400 offers a near-perfect replica of the classic SG body shape. The natural antique finish is rubbed to a sexy shimmer that highlights the beauty of the korina-which, in turn, nicely accents the gold hardware. The cloud-like mother-of-pearl inlays are well set, although minute glue residue is visible around the edges. The visual symmetry of clean curves and complimentary hardware is tainted only by some dimpling on the edge of the fretboard and sloppily set screws in the pickguard. The neck joint is airtight, with just a dollop of glue run-over holding back the assembly from perfection.

All hardware is well-constructed and robust, but the bridge saddle corners are very sharp. (A Townshend-esque windmill across those babies will definitely draw blood). The Epiphone "SG" humbuckers are somewhat loosely set into their mountings, but neither pickup rattles during boisterous play. The volume and tone knobs turn smoothly and evenly-as do the Kluson machine heads.

Playability

There are a few file marks on the G-400's jumbo frets, but the fretboard is otherwise clean and roomy, and the neck offers full access to all 22 frets. The action is extremely comfy and open-it just begs for sexy, psychedelic bends. Speed freaks will find their fingers whisking easily down the fretboard, and riff bashers will appreciate that the neck really lets you dig in. The upper frets create some string rattle, but the buzz isn't audible through an amp.

Sound

Played acoustically, the G-400 sound vibrant and resonant, and produces a nice, even sustain. These attributes are maintained and enhanced by amplification, as the G-400 is a warm, tonally balanced guitar overall. On clean amp settings, the neck pickup delivers thick, blossoming lows that do not overwhelm the treble strings. In fact, the frequency spectrum is so well balanced (with absolutely no jump in the relative treble or bass level when switching between different pickups) you'd swear the guitar has an onboard compressor. In all three pickup positions, the mids and highs are clear and articulate without being aggressive-which is great if you dig chime, and less than groovy if you favor kerrang. The G-400 always maintains a polite toughness, and even a severe midrange boost at the amp won't provoke the guitar into a searing, in-your-face tone. (Think Paul Newman, rather than Marlon Brando).

When an amp is kicked into overdrive, the G-400's bridge pickup throws down a chunky, driving timbre that is textbook Brit blues. The neck pickup offers a nice approximation of a fat, Leslie West style lead tone, but is too muddy for rhythm work. At extreme distortion, the G-400's inherent warmth conspires to make the overall tone a little washy-even with the bridge pickup selected.

The tone knobs are fairly smooth and responsive. The bridge-pickup control offers a rather extreme cut, producing a super wooly tone at 3. Manual wah effects are too subtle to be really usable, given the G-400's mannered high-end and the smooth taper of the knob. Like its neighbor, the neck-pickup's tone knob delivers a healthy roll-off. The 0 position is so boomy that it rattles the furniture-a usable, muted tone occurs at around 3.

The G-400 responds very well to picking dynamics and volume knob manipulations, but the pickup output seems on the low side. You can definitely go from a flutter to a snarl by varying your attack (or the guitar volume), but extreme picking won't drive an amp into the freaky fuzz zone.

Bottom Line

You can't deny that the G-400 is a lot of guitar for the money. It's well constructed, it sounds and plays great, and it looks pretty cool. Head-to-head with the Guild S-100, it's darker sounding and not as aggressively responsive. However, the G-400's warm, balanced tone is very seductive, making it a fine partner for all but the most unrepentant shredheads.

--Michael Molenda
Guitar Player Magazine
October 1999

Epiphone SG G-400 (Ebony) @ Electro Music.
Price: £249.00.

Special Order - delivery tbc