ColdFire Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Hi My first post here so hello all. I am very much a fan of the Gison SG shape and sound, I think it is amazing. As I can't afford to buy a Gison USA SG I am looking at opting for the Epiphone G-400. What I would like to know is: 1. Would you buy new or 2nd hand (could you recommend the best places to get both) 2. Is it easy to spot a fake one? 3. Could you recommend some reputable online retailers and if possible some good shops in the West-Midlands/Warwickshire Area? Thanks in advance. Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrYk3D Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Hi man, 1st of all; Welcome to the Epiphone forums! I've recently bought an Epiphone SG G400 1966 Re-Issue (Full pickguard-My Avatar) If i were you just buy a new one Cuz u dont know what happened with the 2nd hand one(Could be damaged, Internal damage etc.) Hmm fake ones, Never saw a fake epiphone actually but look at the forums and see if u can find good pictures of Epiphones; Head, neck,body I recommend go to www.Epiphone.com and find your model u like and click buy now u can see the retailers in your area. Good Luck with buyin your Epiphone P.S.: At the retailers mostly the epiphones are original and u can trust its not fake! StrYk3D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaj Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Well, if you want online retailers, there are a few you can check: Thomann Musicstore DV247 Dawsons Note: Thomann, generally has better prices. And as StrYk3D said, a 1966 Re-issue G-400 is indeed very appealing. And so are the Prophecy series. Check them out. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 As I've learned from Paruwi (Im Deutchland), the place to go in your part of the world is: http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html Here's the link straight to the EPI SG page: http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?xsid=72745f9b8f6f4bb28ff72f2b462af24e&KF=on&gk=giegsg&oa=ala&bn=EPIPHONE&pr=&wgfid1=7350&wgf7350=&wgfid2=9009&wgf9009=&wgfid3=9010&wgf9010=&wgfid4=7352&wgf7352=&wgfid5=7351&wgf7351=&wgfid6=9014&wgf9014=&wgfid7=9015&wgf9015=&wgfid8=9016&wgf9016= Now, all that matters is HOW MUCH you wish to spend! Regarding fake SG's - none from these guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFire Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Thanks for the responses so far. With regards cost I have a budget of about £300. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren W Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Get around your local shops and try as many as you can for the one that feels and sounds right for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaj Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 If you look at Thomann, and at the page that animalfarm posted, you'll find some very attractive G-400s. Most of them will be below £300 and even with bundles and so on. But if I were you, I'd consider the Prophecy GX simply because its pickups are better than the stock ones on the G-400 and you wouldn't need to upgrade those on the Prophecy. Quite a few of our estimed colleagues in the forum have Prophecies and love them so do consider that for a few extra quid but it'll be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrjones200x Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Not seen a fake myself either. Buy new and try Coda Music. There based in luton and stevenage in bedfordshire/hertfordshire. Big dealers in gibson, epiphone and fender ect. small company but good stock and very good. ive had loads of stuff from them before. heres a link to there epi stuff http://www.coda-music.com/index.php?cPath=21_33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren W Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 If you can find the extra coin go the Prophecy as discussed above The Dirty Fingers Pickups are great. or get one with the Maestro like mine and fit Gibson 57 Classics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 GuitarGuitar have a new store in Birmingham, and there's a DV247.com too. The latter will match Thomann prices if you don't want to receive by post. There's also a store called PMT in Bimrmingam who are also official Gibson/Epi dealers although their prices may not be as competitive. Now get yourself out on a reconaissance mission! We'll expect a full debrief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Darren, I never get tired of looking at those two SGs! Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFire Posted July 17, 2010 Author Share Posted July 17, 2010 Hi An Update! I visited PMT in Birmingham today and after trying a couple of guitars and some help from the very friendly and not at all pushy staff. I came away with a lovely Tony Iommi Signature G400 and a Vox VT15. I have had a little play on it this evening and it is amazing so glad I went for this as I was torn between the G400, A ESP Vyper and a Schecter PT Tele. This guitar is amazing. According to the Serial Number decoder thread it was made in Feb this year at factory 15. I am so happy with it. My wife is going to get some photos of it so I can put them up here for you all to admire. Thanks for all the help guys, and I can whole heartedly recommend PMT in Birmingham, I even managed to haggle some money off the price! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 Save up an extra £100 and get a used Gibson SG Faded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren W Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 Darren' date=' I never get tired of looking at those two SGs! Alan[/quote'] Alan I never get tired of posting them either. Me thinx they look great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anfontan Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 Hi An Update! I visited PMT in Birmingham today and after trying a couple of guitars and some help from the very friendly and not at all pushy staff. I came away with a lovely Tony Iommi Signature G400 and a Vox VT15. I have had a little play on it this evening and it is amazing so glad I went for this as I was torn between the G400' date=' A ESP Vyper and a Schecter PT Tele. This guitar is amazing. According to the Serial Number decoder thread it was made in Feb this year at factory 15. I am so happy with it. My wife is going to get some photos of it so I can put them up here for you all to admire. Thanks for all the help guys, and I can whole heartedly recommend PMT in Birmingham, I even managed to haggle some money off the price! Thanks[/quote'] Congrats on the new G-400! I bought a used one in ebony a few years ago and gave it quite a workout before I decided it was the right SG for me. It is actually a better guitar than a 1970's Gibson SG I had back in the late 70's-the G-400 sounds great stock and it stays in tune extremely well! A friend of mine from Germany also bought the Tony Iommi as well-he says it's inspired quite a few new songs and it's his favorite. Below is a photo of my G-400..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMC59 Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 Hello ColdFire. I'm a beginning guitar player and several weeks ago bought a used, excellent + condition (recent production model) Epi G400 SG in ebony online from Guitar Center (not practical to ship to UK, I understand). Now I was leary of buying used, but due to a good return policy (something to consider), I figured it was worth a shot. Worse case scenario, I'd be out $21.00 in shipping charges. The guitar cost me $180.00 American vs $330.00- 350.00 new and even used it frequently sells for $250.00 - 300.00. I paid $60.00 for a good set up with strings, a stripped knob replaced (only thing wrong with it). This may not be the route for you with the downside being less warranty, but for the savings, I was okay with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken361 Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFire Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 That's the one! It plays like a dream! Along with my Vox VT15 it is amazing, can do clean very well and then straight into a nice meaty, dirty rhythm line! Just trying to learn Iron Man now to do it proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken361 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 awww sounds great on my Engl!! one of best sounding metal guitars there are! I would like the high end a tad brighter but oh well. This guitar resonates very well I will have to compare it will my buddies regular g 400 when he gets it. I had a Iommi 2 yrs ago but traded it for a floyed type guitar now i just bought this one used and pretty mint for 400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFire Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Nice setup. I only have a tiny room to play in and so the VT15 is perfect for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken361 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I like those voxes that got me into the tube world and never went back lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colchar Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Just trying to learn Iron Man now to do it proud! It and Pranoid are absolute necessities on that guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFire Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Well my Vox comes with a preset for Paranoid, so no excuses I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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