EPIPHONE TONY IOMMI G-400 GEAR
Just how much more black could this guitar be? Er, none more black, frankly...
Elsewhere we have the classic Gibson control
The headstock has a discreet Tony Iommi signature on the truss rod cover. We like that because it means
WHO’S IT FOR?
INFORMATION
ORIGIN: Korea
TYPE: Solid body electric
BODY: Mahogany
NECK: Mahogany,
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood, with crucifix inlays
FRETS: 24 medium
PICKUPS: 2 x Gibson USA Tony Iommi humbuckers HARDWARE: Black
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.
I get the feeling you guys like this guitar.
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
– everyone can get a piece of the action.
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…
FOR: Looks awesome; sounds great; plenty of rock vibe
AGAINST: Not everyone will dig its gorgeous gothic looks
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TG RATING: | ✮✮✮✮✮ | |
going to love this guitar. Trust us!
chrome
THE ORIGINS OF A ROCK ICON
There’s a scribble on the scratchplate.
TG’s old pal Tony actually signed this guitar for us. Normal production models come with a plain black scratchplate only. Sorry…
What does it sound like, then?
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
–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
machineheads CONTROLS: 2 x volume, 2 x tone,
CONTACT: Rosetti 01376 550033
WEB: www.epiphone. com
ALTERNATIVELY
Gibson Custom Shop
Tony Iommi SG – £4,200
Epiphone G-310 – £275
Epiphone
SG Custom – £429
Although 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 fingerboard.
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
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.
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