SG 's

[xStonr]

I'm thinking about getting an SG. Only problem is my budget seems to dictate that I get the Epi G400. Does anyone have any experience with these models and if so, what are your opinions of them.

[SGNick]

I say save up and get a faded Gibson. I played several G-400,s ranging from the standard one too the customs with maestros, and honeslty, neither of them felt much like SG's. pick up and SG standard, then a G-400, it just dosen't feel the same... save your change, you aren't too far away from the Gibson, you could go used too.

[jrm]

agreed. The faded sg is a fantastic guitar, and canbe had for roughly the same price (used) if I'm not mistaken.

[Giraffecaster]

play some at guitar center and see if they're for you. takes a little getting used to because the neck is in a different position than a strat or a tele

[Maxer]

I'll be the contrarian and say that a good Epi SG 400 can be a great guitar. I own a '71 Guild S-100 and it's amazing - but a purist will pooh-pooh it, I suppose, because it's not an SG. I dunno... as long as the neck feels good and the tones are there, I don't care. A couple of months ago I gave to one of my oldest friends a '94 Cherry Epi 400, MIK... that thing rocked like nobody's business. Currently I have a black Epi SG 400, from 2000, also MIK... it's nice too but not quite as nice as the cherry one I let go of. That thing was a dream to play.

I agree that a faded Gibby is worth it if you can get it used, but I've bought two amazing SG types via Craigslist for no more than $240 Canadian via Craigslist... and both were in excellent condition. I just don't think you have to drop large bread to get a good SG experience. I think the SG style is my sentimental favourite, though the world is full of fantastic guitars... there's something about those sleek batwing curves and set-neck solidity.

Anyway, I hope you get a nice guitar.

[rog951]

I have a G-400 Custom (the 3 pickup one) and I feel like it compares pretty favorably to most of the faded SGs I've tried. The pickups/electronics in the Epi are not the best, but it's an otherwise great guitar. Mine is an early one, made in Korea. Not sure if the more recent Chinese-made ones are any different.

That said, I have an '80s SG Special and a '90s '61 Reissue, and they are both noticeably more "solid" than the Epi. Especially the '61. That sucka's a monster! Besides, I love the '57 classic p/us in just about anything.

[Maxer]

Man, you've got me going here. I've long wanted to check out one of a G-400 Custom - nearly bought one the other day but in the end the guy wanted too much for it. I've read the gold plating wears off of the hardware very quickly, but personally, I'd just like to check out the tonal possibilities of those three pups. Plus it has the neck binding - most if not all guitars with that feature, but made in America, would cost a great deal more.

I would say that the MIK Epis still (by a hair, maybe) tend to be better than the MIC ones. But I've also played a recent Hagstrom Swede from China and the quality of craftsmanship really surprised me. The Chinese makers are really coming on strong now.

Agree that the pickups in Epis tend to be less capable than in Gibson SGs but I think that the "bones" of a good Epi rival those of the low-to-mid range of the Gibson SG line.

I still subscribe to the notion that commercial/mass market guitars are like mass market cars. A low-end Epi built on a Wednesday stands a chance of being a better all-round product than an SG standard built on a Monday. I know that's heresy for some, but I really believe it. Guitars are individual things, even though marketing hype would have us think otherwise... any number of factors can play into the resultant quality and reliability of the finished product. A great deal still has to do with whose hands were laid on the instrument and what frame of mind they were in when they formed it.

That said, if I had some spare dough to shell out, you just know I'd want a nice SG Standard... simply because it's an originator. That's one of the attractive notions Gibson counts on for its profit margins, no doubt - authenticity.

[walterw]

sorry, i have to disagree, in that the cheapest USA gibson will have better frets (very important), better wood, better parts, thinner finish, a better truss rod, better electronics, and better pickups than the fanciest, most expensive epiphone.

[scottywompas]

I'd definatly save the cash and get a used Gibson faded or maybe even the special.

Prices used might be close to your range.

Scott:RoCkIn

[musicofanatic5]

Whether you go for an Epi or one of those cheapo gibsons, a used one is your best bargain. If you find like an SG and want to get a good one, you'll lose your shirt reselling one purchased new.

[Maxer]

Originally Posted by walterw

sorry, i have to disagree, in that the cheapest USA gibson will have better frets (very important), better wood, better parts, thinner finish, a better truss rod, better electronics, and better pickups than the fanciest, most expensive epiphone.

Better components, yeah.. I don't disagree. I'm not certain I agree about better wood. But assembled better? In the end, it's how carefully and meticulously it's been put together... that's what determines the fit and finish. I still think the Mondays and Fridays argument has some merit.

[SGNick]

not agreeing on better wood? G-400's have veneers on the tops and the backs so you can't see what wood is really being used... If they used good wood, I don't think they'd do this.

[Strat]

....and make sure it's an SG with P-90's !

[Maxer]

Is that so? Then I was misled. My understanding was that certain SG 400S, depending on country of origin and year of manufacture, were not laminates at all... SG 300s, yes. I've seen some of those and you can feel the difference in terms of heft and tone (without even plugging it in).

[pokey]

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