loopchemist Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Hi All got this out of the (origional) case the other day Still in tune ! Series 1 Arpege V4 Phenowood neck, brass plate, those amazing pick-ups. (buzz acknowlaged) what a bridge ! Plays so nicely I have owned this since new Purchased directly from Patrice in 1983 while I was working at RockBottom Music in Croydon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I've never seen one of those before. Me likey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I've always like the design of these. I remember there was a fretless one up in the Wapping Bass Centre years ago with a brass fingerboard. Design being one thing, a guy I knew a while back owned one and it was so badly set up, I found it almost unplayable; the neck was bowing so far forward the action was a good 1/2" at the 13th fret. I begged the guy to give it to me for an hour to set it up, but nope, that was how he liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Very nice indeed!! I've had two Arpege basses, a series II fretted and a series I fretless 5. Beautiful basses, probably my favourite body shape. Yours looks like it's in amazing condition. I always found the brass laminate neck really stable, I don't think i ever had to adjust my series I once I had it set up. Shame these aren't better known but for those of us who have tried one, they're a well kept secret! Enjoy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopchemist Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Thanks to the replies so far. In the time when these were first released I remember the boutique Bass market was really just starting to blossom. Status, Alembic, Wal, and others all threatened the mass produced status quo (not the band). I always found Vigier to be the most playable out of the case and the sound variety for a gigging musician was fantastic. If you love a P Bass sound then buy one I have no gripe on that count, but if you are looking for more than "set it forget it" these 1980's (now vintage) instruments are great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Just now, loopchemist said: Thanks to the replies so far. In the time when these were first released I remember the boutique Bass market was really just starting to blossom. Status, Alembic, Wal, and others all threatened the mass produced status quo (not the band). I always found Vigier to be the most playable out of the case and the sound variety for a gigging musician was fantastic. If you love a P Bass sound then buy one I have no gripe on that count, but if you are looking for more than "set it forget it" these 1980's (now vintage) instruments are great. Couldn't agree more - and they have such a flexible pre-amp and a vast array of usable sounds. Lovely things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Denby Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Loopchemist. OMG -someone with an identical bass as mine! Bought mine in 84/85. Played it 'till '93 until it hibernated for 25 years. brought it (and me) out of retirement a few months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, I Denby said: Loopchemist. OMG -someone with an identical bass as mine! Bought mine in 84/85. Played it 'till '93 until it hibernated for 25 years. brought it (and me) out of retirement a few months ago. Are you using the tuner/bypass output? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Denby Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 (edited) Passsive. Active is on the side sounds cleaner when playing through that little practice amp Edited February 22, 2019 by I Denby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Denby Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Ooo, hadn't ever noticed the number at the base edge of the bass. What's that mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Serial number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Denby Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Does it tie in with number of basses built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Yep, that’s made before they started recording exact dates but thee should be a date under the front pickup. I think about ‘86? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Denby Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Definitely had it in 85 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopchemist Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 Hey Denby Lovely Bass. Are we doing photos of younger men playing old guitars now? This must be '83-84 The Cartoon in Croydon, our regular Friday Gig !! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 On 22/02/2019 at 11:29, I Denby said: Definitely had it in 85 Small world. That’s my uncle Paul on keys 👋 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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