Epiphone TONY IOMMI G-400 Leaflet

MARCH 2005 | TOTAL GUITAR | 135

EPIPHONE TONY IOMMI G-400 

GEAR 

Elsewhere we have the classic Gibson 

control set-up (2 x volume, 2 x tone and a 

three-way pickup selector), a tune-o-matic 

bridge and fixed tailpiece and a striking 

headstock that really suits this guitar and 

gives the Gibson version a run for its money.

We have also gone ape for those chunky 

Grover machineheads; built to last with rock 

solid tuning.

 The headstock has a discreet Tony Iommi 

signature on the truss rod cover. We like that 

because it means non-Sabbath fans can play 

this guitar if they want to. Whether you’re 

a goth, a punk, a rocker or a widdler,  you’re 

going to love this guitar. Trust us!

TG’s old pal Tony actually signed this guitar 

for us. Normal production models come with 

a plain black scratchplate only. Sorry…

Like Tony Iommi, funnily enough. His tone 

has changed a bit over the years but we still 

rate those early recordings that showcase his 

edgy fuzz tone. Using our trusty Retroman 

Lola fuzz box, we nailed that classic sound 

on the bridge pickup without even breaking 

a sweat. Add to that some modern gain and 

this guitar will out-rock anything with six 

strings. The pickups are truly awesome in 

themselves and should be considered by 

anyone struggling with weak humbuckers

– the Iommi humbuckers are available to buy 

as a retrofit for your guitar. 

The bridge pickup isn’t so keen on clean 

settings but you can use the sweeter middle 

lthough it’s still only a baby compared 

to its legendary big brother, the 

Gibson Les Paul, the SG is actually 44 

years old this year. In fact, when it was 

launched in 1961 this future rock ’n’ roll 

icon was intended to be a replacement 

for the Les Paul range. That’s why early 

examples of the SG have a Les Paul 

nameplate squeezed between the neck 

pickup and the fi ngerboard. 

So why did Gibson change the guitar’s

model name, we hear you ask? Depending 

on what story you believe, Mr Les Paul 

(Lester William Polfus to his mum) either 

didn’t take to the SG’s radical design or 

simply preferred the sound of his original 

Les Paul model. Fair enough, but the wily 

old fox may have had another reason to

have his name removed from the new 

guitar. In the early 1960s Les and his 

then wife and singing partner, Mary

Ford, had decided to separate. Legend 

has it that Les, realising how Mary would 

be entitled to a share of any money 

he made, refused to sign a new 

contract with Gibson. Undeterred, 

Gibson switched to the SG (solid 

guitar) model name and the rest, as 

they say, is history.

Even if old Lester didn’t dig his 

new axe, plenty of other guitarists 

have fallen for its obvious charms. 

If you play an SG you’re in very good 

company. In the 1960s, Beatle George

Harrison used a cherry-fi nish model 

on the band’s Rubber Soul album, 

Robbie Krieger of The Doors 

wouldn’t be seen dead without 

his SG Standard and Eric 

Clapton brandished an eye-

catching psychedelic SG in the 

early days of Cream. Of course, 

the SG is also behind Angus 

Young’s awesome tone on 

every classic AC/DC record. 

Can you imagine Angus 

playing any other style of 

guitar? It’s unthinkable. 

and neck positions for the quieter songs. 

The bottom line is that this guitar just wants 

to rock and we ain’t gonna argue with it. 

Damn! What gave it away? It’s true we have

fallen for this wonderful guitar. TG has 

always had a soft spot for the SG anyway, 

but the Tony Iommi version ticks all of our 

boxes. And the best part is that now there’s 

a left-handed version available –  which only 

seems appropriate since Tony is left-handed 

–  everyone can get a piece of the action. 

WHO’S IT FOR?

Six-string Satan 

worshippers; the 

Sabbath faithful 

INFORMATION

ORIGIN: Korea

TYPE: Solid body electric

BODY: Mahogany 

NECK: Mahogany, set-in

Rosewood, with crucifi x 

inlays

FRETS: 24 medium

PICKUPS: 2 x Gibson USA 

Tony Iommi humbuckers

HARDWARE: Black 

chrome tune-o-

matic bridge, stop 

tailpiece and Grover 

machineheads

CONTROLS: 2 x volume, 2 

x tone, three-way pickup 

selector switch

FINISH OPTIONS: Ebony 

only

LEFT-HANDERS: £599

CASE: No

CONTACT: Rosetti 01376 

550033

WEB: www.epiphone.

com

ALTERNATIVELY

Tony Iommi SG – £4,200
Epiphone G-310 – £275
Epiphone

SG Custom – £429

Of course, we’d all love to get our hands 

on the £4,000 custom shop Gibson Iommi 

model, but this Epiphone will keep us well 

happy until then. You really have to try this 

superb guitar for yourself. It’s a little devil…

✮✮✮✮✮

TGR133.gear_dps 135

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19/1/05   6:04:59 pm