JT62 Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Except for the pick gaurd they look the same to me, although the silverbust '66 is kinda cool. The issue I have is what pickup is better or more popular, Alnico V or Alnico Classic ('66) ? Am upgrading from the piece of crap Washburn I learned on. I do appreciate anyone's input and hope to have a HNGD soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 JT - Welcome to the EPI Forum! The following answer is based on my memory, my EPI catalog, and a couple of website visits for confirmation: NO DIFFERENCE pickup-wise between the 2 guitars, just the Color and Pickguard, explanation to follow... Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 G-400 Electric Guitar Features: Alnico Classic Plus bridge humbucker Alnico Classic neck humbucker Epiphone G-400 SG Electric Guitar Features: Dual Alnico V humbuckers (AKA: Classic and Classic Plus) Alnico Classic Humbucker has an Alnico V Magnet, rated at 8.5Kohms Alnico Classic Plus Humbucker has an Alnico V Magnet, rated at 13.8Kohms (wound slightly hotter). In a G-400 Series guitar, the typical pickups are: HOTCH(G) Bridge (Alnico Classic Plus) 57CH(G) Neck (Alnico Classic) On the back of the pup will be a sticker that will say either "HOTCH(G) or 57CH(G)" or just simply "G-400 Bridge or G-400 Neck", based on which pup it is. These pups can ALSO be found in the Epi Les Paul Standards and Standard Plus Tops, and the 57CH(G)s are used in DOTs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT62 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Share Posted December 26, 2010 Thanks for responding to my question AF. The detail in your answer was awesome. Now all I have to do is decide which one to get. Am leaning toward the silverburst '66 only because the red and black seem to be the standard. Thanks again! ps, nice "Doo"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Thanks for responding to my question AF. The detail in your answer was awesome. Now all I have to do is decide which one to get. Am leaning toward the silverburst '66 only because the red and black seem to be the standard. Thanks again! ps, nice "Doo"! Lest ye forget, there IS another option regarding finish. Also keeps $50 in your pocket, but color choice will always be an individual one! Only reason I mention it is that I bought a "Worn Brown" Satin Finish EPI LP Studio in 2008, and most every time I break it out, a friend (Drummer who collects gits, too) wants to buy it, trade for amp, etc. Nope - I like it! Plus, I've already upgraded it with Gibby Goodies, so it stays. Epiphone Vintage G-400 Electric Guitar $299.00 at Musician's Friend. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Vintage-G400-Electric-Guitar?sku=518669 My OWN "Worn Brown": Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReneBoedker Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 As animalfarm already stated, the standand and the '66 have the same pickups. The only difference is the pickguard and the finish. I have a '66 G400 myself, and it is a great guitar. However, it is natural burst - not silverburst. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT62 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Share Posted December 26, 2010 Thanks for the posts guys. They inspired me to do some more research. I found a beautiful '66 G-400 Walnut Ltd Ed. I would buy this one for sure but am conserned it's walnut and not mahogany.What are the thoughts on that? Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Musicians Friend Git? It IS Walnut. It IS a "Clearance item" with availabiliy limited to STOCK on HAND. User reviews are 5 stars across the board (check 'em out), will have standard G-400 Pups. MF may or may not drop the price, or may just sell out - it's a roll of the dice. In the end, it's up to you - get a finish you will love and keep for many years. When I bought my Studio, the Walnut option wasn't around. I like gits with WOOD GRAIN! Keep us updated!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Animalfarm is always spot on with advice and specs......The choice is yours. I'd go for the reg G-400 myself...If you want the Silver finish, the other is your only option.... In regards to walnut as a guitar wood...It is spectacular...A tiny bit brighter than mahogany, but in a good way, IMO............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Depends on how much the pickguard style is important to you, if you must have a full PG and like the siverburst colour scheme, go for the '66, otherwise a standard G-400 would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Animalfarm, that is one SWEEET looking Studio you have there. LOVE that natural grain! That's probably my next axe for my Epi colection. And JT62, the regular G400 is a great guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epi-curious Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Epiphone Vintage G-400 Electric Guitar $299.00 at Musician's Friend. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Vintage-G400-Electric-Guitar?sku=518669 I own two of these; one in worn brown and one in worn cherry. I like the brown best (personal choice) but both are fine guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT62 Posted December 30, 2010 Author Share Posted December 30, 2010 I realy like the natural wood look of that vintage brown.The silverburst is nice but a little to flash for my style. The walnut is beautiful but +$100 than the vintage. I am going to GC tomorrow to check them out. I would prefer to get one in a box and not off the rack. If I have to I could ship to my home but am thinking ship to store would be better in case of any damages than they will hassle with the return. Since I live in the sticks the UPS guy likes to leave stuff on the porch. Not a good idea here in Mi. Thanks again for all the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Obviously, we're very interested in which you choose! Guitar "Porn" Pics and all that. Let us know which and why! In the 2 years I've owned my "Worn Brown" LP Studio, I have NEVER used Guitar Polish on it. Seriously. I use a natural, REAL Chamios, like you would buy in an Auto Parts Store. I grabbed the smallest one (about 2 Sq Ft) for about $12.00. Folds up NICELY in Guitar Case pocket, is SUPER SOFT, and will NOT scratch finish, even on GLOSS finishes like my other LPs. Just rub/buff the smudges right off. For harder smudges, just a dab of water, and buff 'til gone. Works like a Champ - cleans strings, too. I keep one in EVERY Guitar case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcham Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 You can add my vote for the faded brown SG. Like animalfarm, one of my friends is always offering to buy mine, a faded brown Vintage SG in my case, from me whenever he drops by. I'm looking at buying an Elitest SG right now and my buddy asked me if I would sell my Vintage when I get it and my answer is still NO! I will never sell that guitar. The faded series also have nice satin finish necks that just glide so smoothly when compared to the glossy finish on the usual SGs. Just be aware that the picture used at MF shows the Vintage series with the neck binding and the new models do not have the binding. Other than that, they are absolutely great bargains for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmah Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 i also agree with the worn brown... the stock pictures on musicians friend does not do it justice as I passed on choosing that finish simply cuz of that stock picture until a friend linked me ones of the actual guitar. The pic on the official epiphone site is much more accurate and looks nicer Link. The worn brown is very easy to maintain since it's not a glossy fingerprint/smudge magnet. I do in a way miss having a glossy guitar (i had ordered a '66 heritage cherry g-400). However, after having to send it back due to poor quality control. I decided to pick up a worn brown locally which ended up costing a bit more than the '66 since i ordered the '66 from the states. I'm in canada. There are days I would be tempted to refund the worn brown locally and take my chances with ordering another heritage cherry from the states but I didn't want to go through the hassle of another return if there are any flaws with it. My worn brown is perfect functionally so I am quite happy with it. I am also a fan of guitars w/ wood grains. (had a '66 silverburst that i ended up selling) Another thing I would like to point out is that having pickup rings seem to keep the pickups in place better vs no pickup rings with a full pickguard. I've noticed when cleaning smudges off the chrome of the pickup covers on a '66 it would wobble back and forth but with the worn brown, there is no such wobble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trewblue Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a G-400 SG "custom" in what I would call ice tea or natural burst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 If you still haven't decided, I will tell you that I (personally) would get the Walnut G-400. Walnut is a MUCH stronger wood than Mahogany is and you're less likely to have the thing break if it falls over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmah Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a G-400 SG "custom" in what I would call ice tea or natural burst. That's a very nice finish what year was your guitar made? If you still haven't decided, I will tell you that I (personally) would get the Walnut G-400. Walnut is a MUCH stronger wood than Mahogany is and you're less likely to have the thing break if it falls over. Yeah i wanted a walnut at first but the light walnut is a bit of a dealbreaker for me. If it came in a dark walnut i wouldn't have even hesitated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Yeah i wanted a walnut at first but the light walnut is a bit of a dealbreaker for me. If it came in a dark walnut i wouldn't have even hesitated. Yeah. There are several different varieties of Walnut, and the light colored kind isn't seen very often, because most people want the dark stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT62 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 After much debate and the IRS finally sending my check... HNGD to me! I really like the feel of the worn satin finish on the neck, super smooth and not stickey. I actualy had a hard time deciding on the color but chose the worn red because my Wife says red looks good on me, lol. One concern though, while playing it at the store sitting down I didn't notice how the neck likes to slide downward until I put my strap on it at home. I have a cheap nylon strap which might not help this any. I'm gonna guess there is a strap that helps with this and would certainly appreciate some suggestions. As for the sound, all I can say is that this Guitar wants to Rock and Roll Hard! Perfect for my classic rock taste. Thanks again for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Congrats on the Faded Cherry. I have one myself! I'd pick up a good, wide leather strap to assist you in holding that neck up. Again, Happy New Guitar Day and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcham Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 HNGD! I'm sure that you'll love the satin neck, I know that I do. To help counter the neck diving, try taping some counterweight on the back of the control cavity cover. That's the way my vintage is set up and with my 3 inch wide Epi leather strap I have no neck diving problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epi-curious Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I have 3 G400. After a short while I didn't even notice the neck heaviness anymore. BTW - if you're liking the stock pickups, good deal! Keep rockin' out. I put a set of GFS Mean 90s in the worn brown, a set of SDs in the worn cherry, and a Mean 90 in the neck and 'bucker in the bridge of the '66. I play these much more than my Gibson SG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epi-curious Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 HNGD! I'm sure that you'll love the satin neck, I know that I do. To help counter the neck diving, try taping some counterweight on the back of the control cavity cover. That's the way my vintage is set up and with my 3 inch wide Epi leather strap I have no neck diving problems at all. How much weight did you put in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcham Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 How much weight did you put in there? I'd have to weigh it to be sure but I don't have a proper scale to do it. I bought her used and the previous owner had set it up this way and I really notice a difference if I strap the guitar on with the back cover removed. If I think of it, I'll bring the cover to work with me and weigh it on the postal scale and let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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