The G-400 (or sometimes G400) is an Epiphone solid body electric guitar model that was produced as a more modestly priced version of the famous Gibson SG. Epiphone is a subsidiary of Gibson and manufactured the G-400 and other budget models at a lower cost in Asia. Visually and ergonomically, it is almost identical to a 1962 SG. Since 2020, the G-400 model number is no longer used, as Asian-made, Epiphone-branded versions now use the same SG model name as US-made Gibson guitars. Now the successor to Epiphone SG Muse, the original Epiphone guitar.
Introduced in 1989 after Epiphone production moved to Korea in cooperation with the Samick Corporation, the G-400 has been in continuous production for thirty years.
Upon introduction, it featured dot fretboard inlays, 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 "narrow-open Book" headstock. By 1990, the G-400 was sporting the modern "clipped-ear" headstock with no holly inlay
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 2002, 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. In 2012, Epiphone introduced the G-400 Pro with Alnico Classic PRO⢠4-wire humbuckers.
The Epiphone 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 true mahogany species native to the neotropics. In 2005, Epiphone began putting thin veneers of African mahogany on the front and back of the Cherry finished G-400s. G-400 "Vintage" worn cherry / worn brown models manufactured in Korea from 2002 to 2005 (UnSung and SaeIn plants, serial numbers starting with U or I) have solid three-piece bodies made from Nyatoh (palaquium spp.) without a veneer.
The design of the G-400 follows that of the Gibson SG. Features include dual pointed cutaways, smaller pickguard (but in some cases, such as the 1966 model or any limited-edition model, there is still a large pickguard), set neck, trapezoidal fingerboard inlays (late 80s and early 90s models as well as the 1961 reissue 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 heads.
The G-400 is available in many models, including G-400, Pro, Deluxe, Deluxe Flametop, Custom, Vintage, '66 Limited edition, SG Special, Tony Iommi 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.
The Faded G-400 features:
The G-400 features:
The G-400 Custom (introduced 2000, discontinued 2011) features:
The G-400 Deluxe features:
The Tony Iommi G-400 features:
Several Limited Edition models have been produced for different licensed Gibson/Epiphone dealers.
The G-400 1966 Reissue features:
(Note: the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG)
The G-400 w/EMGs features:
The G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola features:
The G-400 Korina features:
Specs and Features