Epiphone G-400
The G-400 (or sometimes G400) is an Epiphone solid body electric guitar model produced as a more modestly priced version of the famous Gibson SG. Currently, Epiphone is a subsidiary of Gibson and manufactures the G-400 and other budget models at a lower cost in Asia. Visually and ergonomically, it is almost identical to a 1962 SG. History. 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. Woods. 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 mahogany species. 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 manuifactured 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. Features. 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 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. Variants. 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. Faded G-400. The Faded G-400 features: G-400. The G-400 features: G-400 Custom. The G-400 Custom (introduced 2000, discontinued 2011) features: G-400 Deluxe. The G-400 Deluxe features: Tony Iommi G-400. The Tony Iommi G-400 features: Limited Edition Models. Several Limited Edition models have been produced for different licensed Gibson/Epiphone dealers. G-400 1966 Reissue. The G-400 1966 Reissue features: (Note : the neck joint used on this model is incorrect for a '66 SG) G-400 w/EMGs. The G-400 w/EMGs features: G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola. The G-400 '65 Reissue w/Maestro Vibrola features: G-400 Korina (year 2000 spec.). The G-400 Korina features: SG G-400 PRO Deluxe Limited Edition "1961". Specs and Features