SG Special 400

The SG Special 400 was introduced in 1985 and was the first variant to be spawned by the SG Special. It was conceived as an effort to compete with the popular "superstrats" of its era, and was a special order version of the Special for the first year, becoming a regular production model in 1986. Interestingly, this model was priced equal to the SG Standard. It was discontinued in 1987.

There was also a limited run model called the Special 400X with a 6-Inline Explorer headstock.

Special 400

Panther Pink

• 1985: $749 MSRP
• 1986: $699 Street

Body:

• Beveled, solid Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish

Neck:

• Mahogany
• Set-in construction
  • Joins body at 18th fret
• Rosewood fretboard (1985)
• Ebony fretboard (1986-1987)
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Open Book headstock
  • Silkscreened Gibson logo
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Locking nut
• 1 11/16" nut width

Electronics:

• Two single coils
• One uncovered Dirty Fingers humbucker
  • Three Ceramic magnets
  • ~16k Ohms D.C. resistance

    

    Ebony

• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • Push/pull volume coil tap
• 3 on/off mini-switches

Hardware:

• Black hardware
• Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
  • 14:1
  • Manufactured by Ping

    

    Ferrari Red

• Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
• Black Speed knobs
• Kahler Flyer tremolo

Finishes:

• Ebony
• Alpine White
• Pewter
• Ferrari Red (1985-1986)
• Panther Pink (1985-1986)

Special 400X

All specs the same as Special 400 except headstock.

Image Credit: Guitars and Effects

Image Credit: Guitars and Effects