Help ...what SG do I have ?

[Albert E.]

Hi, new to this forum....need some info..
Way back in 1999, I bought an Epiphone SG from a guy at a moving sale.

I am trying to find out what model I have. It is a semi transparent red finish, set neck. black pickups (2) , small black pickguard (with fine white line around it) .

On the back of the head, it says Korea S5089475

The reason I am asking is that I am deciding if I want to fix it up (light surface wear, a few bad screws, etc) , or trade it in towards a newer SG model.
I don't want to decide that before I get an idea of what it's value is.

 

[oldrockfan]

picture is worth a thousand words. Can you post a shot of it? Sounds like maybe a G400 of some sort but looking at the actual guitar would help alot.

 

[Zeppelin Rules]

+1 on pics.

 

[SG Lou]

Yup, Sounds like you got a G-400

 

[Albert E.]

That is what I thought, but it has black open coil pickups, so that seemed different then the other
G-400's I saw online.

So what would you think a mid 90's Epiphone G-400 in good shape ( minor playwear ) is worth as a trade in ?

If the offer is too low, of course I will just keep it.

 

[smk506]

$125-$150 in most cases. You may get a little more selling to an individual rather than a store.

 

[8-ball]

Just trade it in...

 

[Albert E.]

Well, I figured that if I was offered less that $175.00 on a trade, I might just keep it and try to fix it up. The condition is good, but it has a few screws that have rust/corrosion (Bottom strap button, pickguard).

Either way, I should replace those screws before I take it in to get the possible trade value. Is it easy to get the right replacement screws ?

If I trade, I was thinking about the Epiphone G-400 Custom in Antique Ivory.
A local store has the Metallic Red one for $470, and said they cold get the Ivory one for $415.

 

[oldrockfan]

if you decide to trade it, I would seriously consider going for a used Gibson SG. You can find the faded ones for $500 or less and they hold their value alot better than the Epis. You buy an epi G400 new and in a couple years it will also be worth the same $150 range. On other hand you buy a used Gibson SG special faded for $400 or so and it will still be worth the same $400 or so in a couple years.

Nothing against epiphones at all just the reality is they don't hold their value nearly as well as Gibson guitars do. Just something to consider before you buy.