G-400
From EpiWiki
== Epiphone G-400 == 1989 Epiphone G-400 in Cherry | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epiphone |
| Period | 1989-Present |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Scale | 24.75" |
| Woods | |
| Body | Industrial Mahogany |
| Neck | Industrial Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic with stopbar tailpiece |
| Pickup(s) | 2 "Alnico Classic" Humbuckers |
| Colors available | |
| Standard: Ebony and Cherry (Vintage White and Metallic Light Blue discontinued). Faded: Worn Brown and Worn Cherry. Deluxe: Vintage Sunburst. Custom: Antique Ivory. Tony Iommi: Ebony. | |
The Epiphone G-400 was introduced in 1989 as the top of the line G-Series model and is a Gibson-authorized copy of the Gibson SG Standard. It is a step up from the G-310.
Contents |
History
Introduced five years after Epiphone production moved to Korea in cooperation with the Samick Corporation, the Epiphone 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, they changed several features on the G-400. These changes included black "top hat" knobs with silver inserts, "trapezoid" 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 Les Paul Standard.
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 Epiphones) made the switch from Chrome plated hardware to Nickel plated hardware. Also, the neck was changed to a "Slim Taper" profile..
Woods
The Epiphone G-400 is made of Philippine/Indonesian Mahogany (more commonly known as Industrial Mahogany), 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.
Variations
Faded G-400
The Epiphone Faded G-400 features:
- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany neck and body
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Colors available: Worn Cherry and Won Brown.
G-400
The Epiphone G-400 features:
- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany body with African Mahogany veneers
- Set Mahogany "Slim Taper" 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 (discont.), and Metallic Light Blue (discont.).
G-400 Custom
The Epiphone G-400 Custom features:
- 3 Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Gold hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany body
- Set Mahogany neck and body
- Rosewood fingerboard with "block" inlays
- 24.75" scale
- 1.68" nut width
- Colors available: Antique Ivory and Ebony (discont.).
G-400 Deluxe
The Epiphone 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 Epiphone Tony Iommi G-400 features:
- Gibson USA Tony Iommi humbuckers
- Black chrome hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany body
- Set "Slim Taper" 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.
2008 Epiphone G-400 in Cherry
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Limited Editions
Several Limited Edition models have been produced for different licensed Gibson/Epiphone dealers.
G-400 '66 Reissue
The Epiphone G-400 '66 Reissue features:
- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Nickel hardware
- Licensed Grover tuners
- Mahogany neck and body
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- "Batwing" style pickguard
- Colors available: Ebony, Heritage Cherry, and Silverburst.
(Note: the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG)
G-400 W/EMGs
The Epiphone G-400 W/EMGs features:
- EMG 81/85 humbuckers
- 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 Epiphone 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.
G-400 Korina
The Epiphone G-400 Korina features:
- Alnico Classic humbuckers
- Gold hardware
- Mahogany body with Korina veneers
- Set Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with "trapezoid" inlays
- Colors available: Natural.
References
1. EverythingSG.com[1]
2. EverythingSG.com[2]
