MyTake on Guitars

MyTake Reviews Epiphone vintage g400 sg

Rock on MyTakers! It's time to discuss a very important topic. The necesity that is a well made, well maintained axe. Which is to say, a good guitar (I wouldn't review an axe. Who would read that?). When it comes to guitars, few can hold a candle to Gibson. The subject of this column is an epiphone remake of a Gibson classic. The vintage g400 sg is a world class guitar, and it's hard to imagine finding a better guitar for five times the price (around $390). It's made from 100% genuine Gibson parts. Now, where this makes an obvious difference is in the pick ups. They are so silky smooth you'll think you've found your soul mate (yeah, I know that was a lame line). However, apply some light distortion and this guitar rocks harder that than your grandma on speed (now, if you followed that one you have to admit it's funny). This guitar is so versatile, I use it for everything from "a to zeppelin." That means Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Rob Zombie, and if you've got no taste Michael Bolton (Warning: Playing Michael Bolton songs may cause evil zombie takeover).       The hardware and electronics on this guitar are excellent. The two volume and tone knobs are responsive, and everything is flawless. The only two flaws are the slight buzz on the lower notes that become inaudible by simply turning up the amp and getting used to the metal frets if you're used to plastic. The buzz is almost unavoidable on guitars with shorter scale length: However, I would glady take an inaudible buzz over the reduced playability and awful twang that comes from over stretching the strings. As for the frets, these are only a problem when trying to do several hammer ons one after another, and once you get a little practice (if you're like me) you'll never play an instrument with plastic frets again.       All in all, this is an incredible guitar for half the price of anything I played in its class. Play on a 20 watt epiphone amp, a 200 watt Ibanez, or a 500 watt mesaboogie and (to borrow a phrase from a certain delicious cereal) unless you're weird, you'll like it (no warranty expressed or implied, hey, gotta look out for #1).