If you think you’ve seen all that Epiphone has to offer, think again. In this Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro review we’ll have a look at this remake of a vintage classic and find out if it’s worth buying.
Launched as part of Epiphone’s 140th-anniversary celebrations in 2013, this classic rock guitar has got a lot of character at a very affordable price.
In this review, we’ll explore all the features and hardware of this guitar. We’ll talk about its sound and feel, weigh up the pros and cons, check out the alternatives, and look at a few frequently asked questions to give you all the information you need to decide whether you need this guitar in your stable.
The Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 is the best guitar money can buy in its price range. It's a highly versatile guitar that features a full spectrum of tones and sounds which are suited for a huge range of music styles. What's more, with Epiphone Ltd edition 1966 g400 you are essentially getting that vintage style look for a very affordable price tag.
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Key specifications of Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro
This Epiphone is loosely based on the iconic vintage 1960s SG models from the Gibson / Epiphone Kalamazoo factory, though with some small but important differences.
Find the main specifications for the Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 g400 Pro below.
Body Shape
double cutaway (twin horn)
Body Material
Solid Mahogany
Neck
mahogany
Frets
22 x Jumbo
Pickup
Alnico Classic Pro humbucker pickups with push/pull coil-tapping.
Warranty
Lifetime for the original purchaser from an authorised dealer.
Core features of Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro
Let’s have a look at some of the key features of this limited edition guitar, including size and shape, sound, and reliability. For more information on the jargon and how to choose your electric guitar, check out our guide here.
Size and shape
This special edition recreation of the classic SG has all the classic features that made the original such an iconic guitar. The double-cutaway was a 1961 departure for Gibson from the Les Paul model which had been so popular in the 1950s.
This guitar features the traditional (and wicked-looking) double horn cutaway on its four-piece mahogany body, allowing easy access to all 22 frets on the rosewood fretboard. It’s a little lighter and thinner than a Les Paul, making it easier for smaller players.
The slim-taper set mahogany neck is great for fast playing and gives a nicely balanced guitar. It is also topped with lightweight Wilkinson™ 14:1 Machine heads which are really serviceable, though this will depend on how tough you are with your strumming and picking. Scale length is 24.75” allowing for great bends and vibrato.
The easy access to the neck due to the cutaways makes it a super fit whatever your size. There can be a few issues with balance, as it does have a tendency to “nose-dive” in a standing position. A change to the strap-pin position or a strap with decent friction can help with this, but it can be awkward.
The design is one of the key features of this guitar. It is designed to look amazing, From the large, bat-wing pick-guard to the rich vintage tones of the smooth, glossy veneers and the trapezoid inlays on the rosewood fingerboards it’s all designed to give that 1960s retro rock-god vibe.
Sound
The most important factor in selecting any guitar is clearly the sound, and this guitar will not let you down on the sound front.
As you’d expect from its looks, the Epiphone limited edition ‘1966’ g400 provides a classic rock sound reminiscent of Cream, AC/DC, or Black Sabbath. The Alnico Classic Pro pickups give a dense and robust tone with a clear cutting quality at the high end yet also generous with a silky overdrive when the volume is rolled back.
Despite it’s rocking looks, this guitar has a clean enough twang to endear it to jazz, country or blues players too as well as resonating beautifully so it’s got a really versatile array of sounds.
Other features
While the original 1960s SG made use of P90 pickups, this version has gone for the smooth, full tone that you get from push/pull coil-tapping humbuckers. On the neck, you have Alnico Classic Pro and on the bridge Alnico Classic Pro Plus. These passive pickups are arranged in series and the three-way control means you can really vary the sound you get from the guitar and the ability to split to single coil on each pick-up adds yet another layer of tones.
Controls include Volume 1, Volume 2, Tone 1, and Tone 2 as well as the three-way pickup switch.
The Locktone™ Tune-o-Matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece give you more sustain and easier string changes as well as the ability to make subtle changes to individual string height and tuning.
The Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 is the best guitar money can buy in its price range. It's a highly versatile guitar that features a full spectrum of tones and sounds which are suited for a huge range of music styles. What's more, with Epiphone Ltd edition 1966 g400 you are essentially getting that vintage style look for a very affordable price tag.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Pros of Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro
There are a lot of really great things to say about the Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 g400 pro. Here’s a summary.
Design
If a guitar looks good, you’ll want to pick it up and play it. This guitar looks really good, so let’s face it, you aren’t going to want to put it down. For that retro look and feel of a classic rock guitar,
you can’t go wrong with this Limited Edition 1966. The double horn deep cutaway gives it a stylish yet wicked vibe - it’s got devil horns! When this shape was first introduced in the 1960s it was like nothing else on the market. The slim-taper D-profile neck makes for fast action on riffs and runs and a great shape to grab onto.
Fantastic sound
The full, smooth tones you get from the mahogany body and push/pull coil-tapping humbuckers are just superb. The separate controls mean you have complete control over your sound output.
Scooped out midsections and very funky tones make this a real treasure. When you have this array of tonal choices, you really can’t go wrong. From serious metal to lighter and bouncier, this guitar can find the sound you want.
Price
This really is a positive feature of this guitar - it’s so affordable! The build quality and great sound you get for such an accessible price mean you’ll be pinching yourself to check if it’s real.
Fun
With vintage looks and modern electronics, a fast-as-lightning neck, and powerhouse distortion this really is a joy to play. The combination of pickups allows for a full spectrum of tones. This instrument will just beg you to turn up the volume and rock out to your heart’s content.
Versatility
This really is a great guitar for a wide range of music from the classic Black Sabbath and AC/DC riffs through to blues and even country. The balanced weight makes it suitable for studio or stage. Its affordable price makes it accessible for beginners while the retro looks and solid electronics will appeal to more advanced players.
Solid electronics
The electronics in the Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 g400 Pro are sound. Great humbuckers - Alnico Classic Pro (with Alnico V magnets), both with push/pull coil-tapping on their respective volume pots allow you to switch to single-coil very easily. Notably, these humbuckers have been mounted directly on to the batwing pickguard and not body-mounted.
Cons of Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro
While the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 is a really great guitar, there are unfortunately a few downsides to be aware of.
Heavy neck
While the neck is slim taper, it does have the vintage D-profile which some may find a bit uncomfortable compared with the Gibson C-profile. The increased friction against your fret hand may get in the way as you steam into those fast runs and exciting riffs.
In addition, the guitar is not quite balanced - though the lightweight Wilkinson tuners have improved this from other versions of the g400 - and has a tendency to “nose-dive” in a standing position necessitating a change in the strap-pin position or just hanging on to that neck!
Quality of workmanship
this seems to be pretty variable. Some guitars appear very well made and high quality, while others have mottled staining on the fret-board, patchy gluing, and uneven frets. Some have even reported cracking in the wood.
The long and short of it is that if possible you should try before you buy, and if you’re buying by mail-order, closely examine your guitar on delivery to ensure that you’re happy with it.
Doesn’t come with a case
While this is obviously not an issue with the guitar itself. Not having a case included means that buying a decent gig bag or hard case is an extra cost that you would need to bear in mind when buying your guitar.
Are there any alternatives?
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster 60s
The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Custom Telecaster is part of a series based on Fender classics and brings you the look, feel, and sound of the original vintage Fenders. Great to look at, fun to play, and hard to put down, these guitars feature the classic looks but with a few modern touches, but have also been created with affordability in mind.
In terms of look, you have period-correct finishes, a vintage-style bridge with barrel saddles, and retro tuning heads with nickel-plated hardware.
The slim neck features a C-shaped profile that is comfortable on the hands when playing and has a manageable 9.5” fingerboard radius. Fender-designed single-coil alnico pickups give that authentic Fender sound and you get great resonance with the string-through-body design. The old-school tuning action is solid and dependable. Constructed from nato wood. All in all, great quality and affordable vintage looking guitar.
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03/08/2024 10:32 pm GMT
ESP EC-256FM
This solid body, mahogany ESP EC-256FM is an aggressive sounding rock guitar from the Japanese home of ESP, a trusted brand for affordability and quality. With a mahogany body and neck and rosewood fingerboard topped with maple, it has looked reminiscent of a Les Paul but not quite the same.
The U-shaped profile of the neck and the extra-jumbo frets allow for comfort and speed when playing. Great humbuckers, with coil-split capability, provide for an enormous range of sounds and tones from wiry twang, through blues and jazz right through to rock and metal.
All in all, there are some great features to this guitar, and it offers another alternative for a budget-conscious player looking for a quality bit of kit.
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03/08/2024 12:37 pm GMT
FAQs
Question: What are the differences between the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro and other G400s?
Answer: The G400 line was started in 1989 offering a budget version of the Gibson SG, since then there have been several changes made to the hardware so the age of the guitar will account for some differences. There is now a wide range of g400 models with various differences in hardware and finishes available, particularly in the pickups and tuners used and the controls.
The 1966 edition also has some cosmetic differences, for example, the larger batwing pickguard, which also means that there are no pickup mounting rings around the humbuckers.
Question: Are there different finishes available on the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 pro?
Answer: Yes, you can get this edition in Heritage Cherry (which allows the grain of the mahogany to peek through), Ebony, Silverburst, Alpine White, Wood Grain and Pelham Blue. You can choose the finish to suit you. All are finished to a high glossy shine.
Question: What controls are on this guitar?
Answer: Volume 1, Volume 2, Tone 1, Tone 2, and 3-way pickup switch. You can pop the Volume pots out to switch each pick-up to single-coils too. The separate volume and tone controls mean that you have total control over the sound that you produce and allow you to create a full spectrum of tones for different purposes and moods.
Question: What are the pickups on the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro?
Answer: The pickups are Alnico Classic Pro on the neck and Alnico Classic Pro Plus on the bridge. These are passive humbuckers in series with push-pull coil tapping and are one of the key selling points of this guitar. For more information on the differences between Humbuckers (like these) and P90s (like the original 1966 SG) check out this comparison article.
Question: Does the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro come with a case or gig bag?
Answer: Unfortunately, this guitar doesn’t come with a case, so purchasing a decent gig-bag or hard case will need to be factored into your guitar buying budget. Find out more about choosing a guitar case.
Final thoughts - the Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 Pro is the best guitar for the price if you’re looking for a versatile rock guitar
This is a really great and affordable SG guitar so you may well be asking what the catch is. To be honest, there isn’t one. This is on the whole a good quality guitar at a very reasonable price. With the full suite of controls and superb pickups, you get the full spectrum of tones and sounds for a huge range of music styles. You also get vintage looks and style, but without the high vintage price tag.
What’s more, although there does appear to be some variability in build quality, if you get the right one, you’ll have a super well-made guitar that should last you a lifetime. A great, budget, solid guitar.
If you’re looking for an awesome humbucker with looks to kill, then this one is well worth your hard-earned cash. You get that amazing Gibson to feel and style, looking and sounding like your musical heroes but with Epiphone’s value for money.
The Epiphone Ltd Edition 1966 g400 is the best guitar money can buy in its price range. It's a highly versatile guitar that features a full spectrum of tones and sounds which are suited for a huge range of music styles. What's more, with Epiphone Ltd edition 1966 g400 you are essentially getting that vintage style look for a very affordable price tag.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Author
Jodie Chiffey
Jodie fell in love with the guitar at a young age, but has hit a lot of bumps in the road with her journey. She knows all of the frustrations that come with learning the instrument without any formal lessons. But, she pushed through all of those challenges and she’s now here to teach other people too. If you’re looking for advice that’ll stick with you for a lifetime, Jodie’s here to share everything she knows.
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