Epiphone G-400 Korina

All the good stuff mentioned on music websites and stores. Bought it used off eBay, 1998 Korean model. SG design, pretty fast neck. The finish remained good, despite it being 10 years and used. The tuners are pretty good, but I am considering changing them to gold Grovers to make it look purdy. I got a strap with Schaller straplocks with my winning.

Pretty bluesy at the bridge, a little twangy at the neck. This guitar can get pretty loud. You do have to play around with the adjustments with the stock pickups. The only replacement I see is one for the neck or hotrodding both of them. Overall, great tone imo.

I don't know about the setup from the factory, but when I received it from the eBay seller, I had to do some minor adjustments with the pickups. Other than that, it was fine. There was a minor flaw in the frets (two were slightly misaligned, but not to such a degree as to be unplayable). The wood generally was in good condition overall. The switch is a bit loose, but that can be easily fixed.

I don't gig. Hardware seems like it will last, although the gold hardware might not retain its color. The strap buttons are solid. And yes, I can depend on the guitar. It just needs some TLC.

N/A.

If it was stolen, I would get the same guitar. I love the weight of the guitar. It's light and the neck is fairly fast. Fingerpicking on this guitar is better than my Ibanez hollowbody.

I purchased the Epiphone Korina G-400 Limited Edition in early 2000, close to the end of the run of this model, probably made in 1999/in Korea (it's possible they brought it back since then, but I don't think so) It has a nice natural/yellow finish, the classic SG double cut-away body, small one horn pickgaurd (white), lightweight korina wood body, rosewood fretboard, and tune-omatic bridge. All the controls are standard, with 2 volumes, 2 tones, and 3-way switching. I have customized mine, starting with Gibson USA '57 Classic-Plus humbuckers at the bridge and neck. The Classic-Plus pickups are recreations of the late 50's/60's pickups with a little extra output and bite. The stock tuners were unreliable, so I replaced them with gold Grover tuners to match the gold pickups and hardware. The wiring is standard bridge/neck/middle, and the switch and a pot have been replaced. I really like the feel of the neck. It is wide, but somewhat flat and smooth where the palm rests. Overall, this is just a great looking, feeling and sounding guitar.

The natural resonance is very nice, and the stock pickups were actually pretty good for what they were. Since I switched out the pickups to real Gibsons, it sounds virtually like a Gibson SG. I have plugged into a Marshall, a small Vox Valvetronix, and direct to recorder effects and it sounds great for most purposes- particularly at the bridge pickup, "the old reliable" as I call it. I had intonation issues for a long time, and eventually had it set-up and the frets dressed to fine tune everything. You can crank out with it with virtually no noise and get that sweet, clean, balanced sound. The balance from string to string is one strong feature.

A lot of the factory settings were not exactly ideal, but what sold me on this guitar was the low, smooth action! Nothing is worse than trying a guitar with high action that cuts your fingers and that just doesn't feel right. You can drop the action real low and the strings ring out nicely. As I stated before, I have customized mine a great deal, but the basics of this axe are great. The neck is very sturdy and straight. I have probably adjusted the rod about 5 times in 7 years. Very reliable neck, unlike a lot of pricey Gibsons that warp and bend.

My only real issue with the guitar is that the electronics like to act up. However, electronics and pickups are fairly easy and cheap to repair. My philosophy with a guitar like this is: pay the $300-$400 for a nice fundamental instrument, and invest in another $200 for pickups and $100 for setup/fret work- and you have a quality SG for $600-$700, instead of $1,200-$2,000 for a Gibson. Overall, it is solid and should have no troubles playing live or in the studio.

Never dealt with the company personally. I did most of my adjustments and repairs after it was about 2 yrs. old. Can't remember how long the warranty lasted.

This was my first real guitar, I had a couple cheapos before this. I bought it new and fell in love with it pretty much the minute I saw it. I remember also trying some ugly green Gibson SG Special and chose the Korina over everything else. A large part of my decision was the price. I have owned it and consistently used it for close to 8 years. I have other guitars, but this is my baby. If anything were to happen to it, I would probably cry for a while in a corner somewhere. Many standard G400's that I have tried just don't match up.
With a little TLC, this has been a great instrument.

First off, after reading the first page of reviews prior to mine here, I don't think everyone is talking about the same guitar. The Epi G400 Korina is made of korina, NOT mahogany. It is a set-neck, NOT a neck-thru or bolt-on. It's finish is a transparent yellowish color and has all-gold hardware. Pearl name and fretboard inlays, standard Gibson-styled VVTT controls, and a nice pair of PAF-styled humbuckers.

It's an easy concept to grasp. If you have a different model of guitar, don't submit your stupid review with bad grammar here. Do 3 minutes worth of research to actually find out what your guitar is.

I've always wanted a SG but never had the cash for a Gibson (story of every Epi-owner's life!). I think after adjusting the pickup height and setting up the guitar properly, it's fantastic! The pickups aren't as warm as the Gibson PAF's but they do have a nice crunch. This Epi runs into a Homebrew Hematoma fuzz then to stack of Sunns. Needless to say, I predominantly play doom metal and occasionally some classic rock.

The guitar sounds great as it is right now. It's not noisy at all and has a nice thick sound to it.

It's action and finish are absolutely amazing. Everything fits properly, nothing rattles around inside when you shake it, there's no dents or scratches on the finish (yet) even though it's a few years old. The set-neck is glued in very well and the tuners work great. There's no buzz when I play (standard B# tuning) either which has been a problem with a few other guitars no matter how you had them setup.

The only downfall of this particular guitar is the frets. They were cut a gnat's pube too long so they hang off the edge of the fretboard. It's definitely noticeable when playing as it cuts up your hands like small nails hanging out. Every now and then it will grab your skin as your trying to make a smooth slide up the fretboard and when it does, you can throw all smoothness out the window.

This is a REALLY easy fix though. Go to your local hardware store and buy a cheap file (the small, pencil-sized kind) and file down the frets till they're smooth. Careful with your fretboard. Done.

Seems reliable enough. As long as all the solder joints hold out and it doesn't suffer some sort of massive drop, it should last a good 30-years minimum.

Never dealt with 'em but I wouldn't expect much.

Bass for 11 years, guitar for about 4. I've owned massive amounts of gear and have been able to try out a lot of quality and not-so-quality instruments. This is a great middle of the road guitar. It works great for what I need it to do. I know there's a LOT better stuff out there but for this kind of money it's hard to beat. My favorite things about this guitar are the set-neck and the bridge and also that it's pretty light. The only thing I'd change would be to dress the frets better. I'm contemplating changing the bridge pickup to a Duncan Invader but I'm satisfied with the stock tone for now.

The Newest Korina edition, made in Korea, 22 frets, 2 volume, 2 tone knobs, two gold humbuckers, Gibson make, passive electronics, machagony body,rosewood fingerboard, beautiful tree-colour finish, classic Gibson bridge (screw the tremolos and floyd roses'!!!), stabile Tune-O-Matic, excelent fat neck.

I am still playing grungerock, and I was stunned with massive mid-range-boost sound, which I dreamt for last 7 yrs of my playing. It sounds EXCELENT even with 10W Fender Frontman Reverb amp, through its own OD. Speaking of the sound, there's absolutely no "dislikes" from me!

After few tinny modifications of the bridge I found a suitable and playable feature on this guitar.

Well, in spite of that all Gibson looking guitars are falling down on the strap, nothing seems to be a problem during playing. Well... Almost.. I still can't get used to the fat neck!!! :D

What customer support?

I SIMPLY ADORE THIS AXE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A very good guitar...maybe not everyone likes its colours, but it's always SG!! really little to learn from Gibson one...

I don't cry for the floyd rose I've abandoned changing my guitar, and I think very comfortable the position of the pickup selector

just the neck...just quite fat...

do you know "stairway to heaven" by led zeppelin? the neck pickup has that sound...and the bridge one has a perfect rock sound, with every ampli and every distorsion or effect

very comfortable to play, I can pull up the pickups till the strings without any problem...with my previous guitar I wasn't able to do it because of the noise, now unhearable

although I've bought it used, it sounds good

that's enough to know, isn't it?...

no one problem

no one contact

I'm very happy

just the colour makes me think...but

this guitar makes me think I will never buy any other instrument...or maybe just a Gibson...

1999 Korean made. This was my first Korean made guitar but will not be my last. All the same stock features as other reviews. Korina wood is an awesome sounding wood! Played it for awhile with stock pickups and hated every moment of lisening to it, while loving how well it felt and played. The stock pickups didn't last long, I soon replaced them with a Seymor Duncan SH-2 in the neck position and a SH-6 Seymor Duncan in the bridge position, wow what a change so much better. One note, I own a real 61 Gibson Les Paul with side pull tremolo, and no 61 reissue by gibson or epiphone is really like it.
However the neck size and shape of this guitar is very close. Ressues do have the Sg body shape, but the actual body sculpting is quite different. This does not make me like this guitar less, and it does have a great feel. I have owned this guitar for over a year. Players who see my collection always want to buy at least one of my guitars, recently one of the local band leaders here wanted this guitar or a gibson goth sg I had. I put the price of the epi at $600.00 hoping it would not sell. I feel great that he bought the goth (also a good guitar) nothing like the Gibson name, But the epi is now a better sounding guitar. Unless you stumble onto a great deal even a used gibson Korina SG is over $2000.00, upgrade the pickups its well worth it.

I do not like to play the same guitar all the time but with the new pickups, I can cover any style (however its not the best sounding on every thing) and the direct recording sound is awesome. My main amp is a fender hot rod deluxe. If a different amp is required either the band or studio I'm working for supplys it. Seems to work well with any amp. However if there is an amp or style I'm required to play that this guitar didn't work best or if I just wanted to play a different guitar, well thats the reason I have many guitars. I have no one guitar that sounds best on everything. Also I like to hear many sounds so I need many guiars.

Bought it used, the setup was unuasble. However I straighened it right out. Pickup selector was noisy and faulty, took it out of the guitar and tightened the main screws that hold it together no more problems. No problem with pots, bridge, stop piece, or tuners.

First backups are always good no matter what. If I was young and this was my only guitar, I would play it without a backup without a second thought.

No contact, I do all my own work, even on my new expensive guitars.

Iv'e been playing for 39 years, I own to much gear to list. If it was lost or stolen I would try to get a gibson korina sg, but if I couldn't afford the gibson I would buy another epi korina and hotrod
it all over again. My favorite feature is that it's made from Korina Wood.

An Epi copy of a 61 Gibson SG. If you like the 61-Re issue but can't afford the $1200-$1500 price tag then buy one of these. The neck on this model is close to the Gibby R.I., not to thin and not to chunky like on the standard models. Looks great too!

The stock humbuckers are musical sounding and do a great job of getting your all around humbucking tones. You can get clean jazzyness to chugga chugga high gain and all that falls between. It all depends on how you manipulate the guitars controls, pedals you use and the kind of amp your running it all through. People that specialize in only one or two styles of music might want throw something in there to better cover the "focus" of there musical style but for a little bit of everything the stockers are fine.

Bought used so have no clue about factory set-up. I have given it a couple of set ups since buying it and everything went nice and smooth. The guitar itself is well made. Inlays are tight, nut is cut nice, everything lines up well. Control knobs are on the cheap side, but I dont care.

A solid, dependable guitar. Stays in tune. No intonation/ tunning problems or anything else associated with SG type guitars. The gold finish is wearing off here and there on the hardware from use.....big deal

Overall rating is high. I can get all the tones I could ever want out of this guitar. This guitar is at home playing old electric blues (Reed-Muddy-Hooker-Hopkins) all the way up to todays ultra high gain material. The jazz flavor is there if needed too! All thos e tones in a light guitar with full access neck. Be forwarned though that this guitar has all the weaknesses of any SG you will find in any price range. Yes it is headstock heavy and yes you may have problems keeping it in tune because of how the neck and body come together (ease up with that vice grip fret hand, its not a strat) and yes you will prol' have to try a few befor you get a good one. Once you find that "good one" though It is gonna be hard to go back to playing any other kind of guitar.

It was made in 2001, in Korea, Korina body, flamed maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, perfect transparent finish. Two gold covered humbuckings. etc.

In a Fender Frontman 25 R -solid state bright amp - The amp setting was Treble 9, Midle 9 Bass 5. In clean chanell the sound is rich and full but dark and muddy. Very mellow, no bright. With distortion is better and I can obtain more bright and articulate sound. With the factory setting the Raiting is 5. Epiphone quality
I like to play rock and blues, and I was disappoited with the muddy sound, I was read in many pick up makers web-sites that the brass pick up covers attenuate some armonics and loss quality.
Finally I decided to remove the gold metalic covers and now the sound is far better, retain the full and rich sound but more articulate and bright. Now my amp settint is treble 5- midle 5- bass 4. The sound is more versatile.
If you are dicided to change the pick ups, try this and save your money. Now I have Gibson quality.

The set-up at factory was good, but de the action was litlte high. The guitar was very good finised. Very good tune.

I think that this guitar is in a professional level.

n/a

I think that the wood work is very good done. professional level. The pick ups are good, but the bad covers darken this item. Very good guitar for the price.

My sg korina is a 2001 dent and scratch item. 22 frets, two gold covered humbuckers, 3 way toggle switch. Tune o matic tail piece.stock tuners.

I give this a 7 because it is a good platform to build upon.

I absolutley love this guitar. I had a Gibson SG and sold it because It never worked for me. I picked up this thing used and have loved it. I bought it because it looked so cool. I on't relaly care about the sound so much. The crappier the better if you ask me. WHy should guitars sound so perfect?

I use a sovtek mig-50 and a fender dt-412 cabinet. I put 9's on th guitar hoping for a less bass heavcy sound that sg's are known for. I like the ring of it with the 9's.

I used to use lots of pedals to get the overdrive I want, but this guitar really drives my amp well.

I got this guitar off of ebay from someone else who made a few minor aesthetic mods to it. I put the ernie ball 9's on, lowered the action and it's great. The bridge pickup goes out on my some. I think it has to do with the toggle switch. Maybe I'll replace that.
The guitar came with a sanded finish. It looks so warm and golden now. All other Korina sg's look like honey mustard. gross! This one has had the gloss finish sanded off, and there are several places where the wood is worn down past the finish completely. That's why I bought the guitar. It was unique. THe ugly black washer on the toggle switch has been removed, and the original knobs (tone and volume) have been replaced with gold speed knobs. It look so classic. I thought it was an old gibson sg at first.

The guitar has done well for me other than the neck pickup going out when AI toggle the switch too fast. I found this out in the middle of a show and had to stay on the neck [ickup for the rest of the time. THis is my main guitar along with an old mid 70's epiphone coronet that is also natural wood finish with gol dhardware.

Never called Epiphone.

I've been playing for 5 years. This is my 10th guitar. If this guitar were stolen I would be sad. It looks so classic. BUt I have other guitar sto use though. I would most certainly find another cheap sg though.

Standered sg but i don't really like the half pick bord if they put a full one i really think i will look better

This little baby will scream the hell out of a marshall amp, when put right into overdrive. I normally play hard rock like scorpions and some time i play slash riff and even though slash uses a lez paul i think it sounds cool through this baby...
if you are a rocker well hang on two your seats beacuse this guitar is going to kick your ass...
i had a fender tele and this guitar i think beats the shit out of it.

the finish is nice and shiny and give alot of what the guitars capeable of just by looking at it.
the Korian wood makes a difference but not a huge amount.
The G-400 huge frets will be good for people with fast fingers and is quite comfy.

this guitar can withstand a shit load of torcher and i would say it 96% durable.

I never try to get this guitar repaired because i talk a good care of it. But ive hered storys about it's pic up and a have to say there a little doggy but there kick ass in a way and its okay if you want to get them changed but i dont see the point.

Ive had this guitar for about 9 months and ive been a pro for 2 years and in those 9 months ive loved and cherished the guitar.
I only wish if i could repice the pick board to a full one but i guess a half is ok..and it could of been a bit heveyer.
if i lost this baby i would kick somebodys ass but if i had the money i would buy it again. I would compare this guitar to a gibson sg standerd but i would be lying this guitar is a kick ass guitar for the money if you are in the U.S itwould cost about $381.

I just have to say this is alot of guitar for the money if you love sg's well heres your chance i may not be a gibson but its a impresive little guitar epiphone has really out done it self.
this guitar ROCKs enjoy...