I have owned a Gibson SG since 1968. It is a special with P90s. I really love that guitar. My buddy bought one of the worn brown faded SGs with the 490/498 open coil pickups when they first came out. It was really a nice guitar. The neck was pretty close to my 68 and the pickups were really responsive. I have seen a few clips of the SG400 faded and they seem to be pretty good as well. For 299 you can't expect much but I guess most of the ones I have heard deliver a very presentable tone. One thing that most people miss, when playing an SG is the playing poisition. With the double cut you get really good access to the top frets. That makes the guitar seem neck heavy but I think it is just further "out" on the body. For some reason the action on an SG always seems to be very low and buzzless. They are a very overlooked guitar and the regular Gibson SGs can be had used for a Grand all day. The fadeds for 6 to 7 hundred used. If the Epi can come close to the Gibby fadeds with the Epi pickups they would be a great aquisition.
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
Amps: Blues Junior Special edition Jensen in Brown Tolex with Wheat front, 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,1970 Sonax reverb by Traynor, Avatar Custom 2/12 Cabinet with Eminence Legend V1216 speakers,
2008 DSL100 Marshall Amp , Fender Super Champ XD,Fender Vibro Champ XD
Effects and Pedals: Fulltone Fulldrive II, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, Fulltone Fat Boost, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Boss DS1, Boss DD20 Giga Delay, Boss TU2 tuner, Boss BD2, Ibanez TS9 Tube screamer, Zoom 505. Radial tonebone hot british.