ped Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi folks, I have had two Vigier basses for a long time now, one fretted and one fretless. I recently got this 5 string to add to my arsenal and for a long time the 4 string sat unplayed as I was over the moon with the 5. But - and this always happens - I went back to the 4 for a while after my ears had 'tuned out' of the sound of it and it confirmed yet again that the 4 is really 'me' and as kiwi said when we last met, I am really spoilt by it. It has seen of Alembics, Bossas, Bacchii, Pedulla, Marleaux - I always come back to it, and now it has 'seen off' its 5 stringed sister. The bass is quite unique in how it is made. First of all the neck is 10% carbon and 90% maple. The carbon rods are 75% carbon so overall the neck is stronger than the graphite weave Vigier used to use. You also get the added benefits of the sounds from the maple. There is no truss rod so the neck is engineered with the 'textbook' amount of relief (A credit card thickness). The pickups are two Benedetti single coils - extremely high output and very clear. The pre-amp is a rotary eq frequency selector and a cut/bypass/boost switch. There is a master volume and a tone control which affects only the bridge pickup. Those crazy French. I have recorded some tracks with the bass already and it sounds superbly clear, fat and growly. I will add them here shortly, but you can also see/hear the bass in this youtube video which is a demo of a longer video I will be making shortly for Vigier: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WILDNiF6k38"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WILDNiF6k38[/url] and here are some [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=99&view=findpost&p=103896"]SOUND SAMPLES[/url] I am looking for what I paid for her - 1500 Euros, so call it £1100. There is no original case for it but I can get a Vigier case sent over or supply details of where to get one if you wish, otherwise I have a warwick gig bag and will pack it very nicely indeed. Collection is preferred - I would love you to come and play it first, but I could also meet people halfway to do the deed. I would prefer to avoid postage if possible. The spec is as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Serial # - 086 - 23/04/1991 5 string Custom model - Maple/alder/Maple body NECK Neck through body, featuring the 10/90 Neck System™ (10% carbon with 90% naturally dried and aged maple wood). FINGERBOARD Phenowood SCALE LENGTH 33.8 in / 860 mm FRETS 21 + a zero fret (or as an option 24) ACTION AS SUPPLIED AT 12th fret treble .0078 in / 2.0 mm 12th fret bass .0098 in / 2.5 mm WIDTH OF NECK AT nut 1.673 in / 42.5 mm 12th fret 2.441 in / 62 mm DEPTH OF NECK AT first fret .76 in / 19.5 mm 12th fret .945 in / 24.0 mm STRING SPACING AT nut 1.378 in / 35 mm bridge 2.835 in / 72 mm • MACHINE HEADS by Schaller BRIDGE Kahler quick-release STRINGS I will include a brand new set of Elixir .040- .130's BODY Naturally dried and aged flamed maple, alder or walnut wood (natural walnut only)(1.57 in / 40 mm thick). FINISH Over 10 coats of varnish, 2 months drying time. WEIGHT Approx. 7.27 lbs./3.3Kg ELECTRONIC CAVITY Sprayed with a shielder. ACTIVE CONTROLS Volume Pickup pan pot Frequency pot Cut/off/boost switch Tone pot PICKUPS Twin single-coils by Bénédetti ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have attached the manual for the bass for details concerning bridge adjustment, electronics cutoff freq. etc. plus a four page review of the bass. [attachment=6281:Passion_...nd_specs.doc] [attachment=6282:Passion_s3_manual.doc] [attachment=6286:vig_review.jpg] [attachment=6283:vig_review_001.jpg] [attachment=6284:vig_review_002.jpg] [attachment=6285:vig_review_003.jpg] Here are some piccies: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Cheers folks ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxblues Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Just to say guys, I had a go on this at Ped's recently, it is a gorgeous bass, with a sublime sound, and that's a cracking price. Oh, and Ped is an all around good egg too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Thanks mate - I hope you are enjoying the SUB and the Arpege! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whynot Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Fantastic basses, wish I never sold my lefty 4 string Passion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngh Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Just when I thought I had the GAS well under control, this turns up ! I'm busy thinking - plotting ways of getting the dosh together now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Surprised to see one of your Vigier basses for sale! However, I've chatted with Chris a good few times about basses, and he has nothing but good things to say about his Vigiers! I'm sure whoever takes this off his hands will love it. It looks like a cracker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Ive played this beast... what a beast. If i could be throwing round that much money i would! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 Thanks for the comments everyone. Here are some sound samples of the bass, recorded through my pod on a fairly flat setting. I always use the pod to transmit the sound of the bass rather than change it in any way - the amp model is the GK 800RB and there is a touch of the (excellent) compression and reverb. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=99&view=findpost&p=103896"]SOUND SAMPLES[/url] These basses really are incredible - evidenced by the fact that they have seen off literally everything else I have had. Excitingly different, beautifully made, advanced yet traditional, inspiring and head turning. And all for the same price as a hit or miss 70s Jazz! Cheers ped P.s don't hesitate to ask for specific pictures, sound samples or a time to come and have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 [quote name='Chris2112' post='153463' date='Mar 8 2008, 01:18 AM']Surprised to see one of your Vigier basses for sale! However, I've chatted with Chris a good few times about basses, and he has nothing but good things to say about his Vigiers! I'm sure whoever takes this off his hands will love it. It looks like a cracker![/quote] +1. Chris? Hello, Chris? What're you doing?! Don't leave me all alone... No. I'm not for sale! I can vouch for how good these are (15 years on...), and can only hope Ped's chasing either a P4 (when they come out) or that VI that's knocking around on here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 Hello mate! Thought you might pop in ;0) I may well be after a series 4 - been thinking about a white 5 string with anodised red logos but then I think if I do that then the series 2 will just win again and history will be repeated! I am so lucky to have found 'the one' relatively early I think. I want to concentrate on making music now, and possibly get a wireless IEM of my own sorted out so father can have his back! Thanks for the positive comments. I will be a Vigier player until I die! Cheers ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Post weekend bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Ped, watched that vid bud, lovely tone. The tone really reminds me of Tom Kennedy's Fodera, but tighter and less woolly. Not that his tone is woolly, the Vigier just sounds a tad more defined. Lovely bass too from the looks of it. Shame about the lack of a truss rod. Have you ever found Vigier's to shift? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Hi Mark, Thanks for the compliments. I wish I could play like Tom... The lack of a truss rod apparently contributes to the sound of these basses. They are likened very often to Alembics and other very clear, defined and powerful instruments. I can't say I have much experience with any Foderas but can hear a likeness. Patrice Vigier has never had a bass back to be repaired because of neck shift which is impressive. The construction is so good I would find it hard to imagine - the two rods must be incredibly strong. Vigier used to use 100% wooden necks with a brass laminate under the fingerboard which was also a winner apparently - I have seen one (currently at the Gallery) which was dead straight, and the one sold on by Eubassix was too apparently (Vmaxblues may have some comments) As I mentioned it has the 'textbook' amount of relief in the neck, and obviously this is non adjustable. If you like it and feel comfortable then that really is a whole weight off your shoulders regarding neck issues. The frets are in fairly good nick for a bass that has been played a lot since 1991 - the last fret is a bit worn and the others show very slight wear but there is not a buzz anywhere to be found. The action is very low and smooth, and I really hope some people take me up on my offer and come and try it. It will be at both forthcoming bashes too. Cheers and any questions/requests please ask! ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 9, 2008 Author Share Posted March 9, 2008 Incidentally the bass in the background of the guitar clips is an Alembic Elan 6 which is panned by the Vigier in every way, but they have similar tonal properties when recorded. I think the Benedetti pickups sound a lot like the Alembic AXY's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share Posted March 10, 2008 Casual bump - this will be at the bashes for everyone to try ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeward2004 Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Chris, mate, are you on crack?!? That is a fookin lovely bass mate, in a sick way I hope it doesn't sell so I can play it at the next bash - if its even a tenth like your 4, its a stonking bass on all levels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share Posted March 10, 2008 Cheers Luke I am not really in a rush and would like people to play it beforehand so odds are it will be at the bash. Interested yourself? I noticed you were after a J5 recently - why not be a bit different? ;0) Cheers ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeward2004 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 A very tempting offer mate, lets wait and see.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Im loving the tuning head warmers! Whered they come from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 13, 2008 Author Share Posted March 13, 2008 Ikea mate! Or eBay.... They keep my basses happy. I have had some serious interest from abroad in this bass - nobody here in the UK interested? Cheers ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashevans09 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I think I just came. If I didn't have two Epifanis on the way I would so have this off you! And you live nearby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 13, 2008 Author Share Posted March 13, 2008 Damn, don't bother with the Epifani's son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 SOLD, thanks everyone for the comments etc. The new owner will probably reveal himself soon (hopefully not in the biblical sense) ped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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