Post by nickwellings on Oct 22, 2009 8:01:31 GMT -5
Man, these are pricey, but they look like cool guitars. Nick, I remember you have one or two of these and love them. How do you like that zero-nut, does that work well?
Well, IMO the Vigiers are probably the best "shredder" guitars out there, but they can also do everything else. It's certainly the best guitar I own.
Non locking trem yet never goes out of tune, and you can warble and stuff with it + pull up and divebomb. Lovely profiled neck + neck coating. Just feels very smooth/ They've been compared to the Formula one of guitars, or rather, over there I suppose the NASCAR of guitars : ) .
Can't praise them highly enough really.
But yes they are expensive, and I have heard that prices in th US wull increase (and probably elsewhere) due to declining dollar value.
I was lucky to get the "entry level" model for about 1/3rd of normal price, second hand. Bit beaten up but plays great. I've already used it in the band I am in, live.
Regarding the zero fret, no issues at all really. Hardened steel, easy to take out if you want to. I might try that and see. I have had it ingrained that the open chords will sound louder than fretted ones, so even now when I think about it, the zero fret makes the guitar sound a tiny bit strange, as it normalises the open chord volume tot he level of fretted chords.
Vigier also say it allows for very precise set up of action and so on. Not sure how.
I'd advise anyone who is interested to try and find a model close by, and to give one a go. I showed mine to a friend who's got a PRS with all the bird inlays and whatever, 78 Strat, 72 Gibson, Gretsch this and that. I said "the neck is quite nice on this".
And he tried it and after about 10 seconds said "wow! Yes!" and then played it some more. After handing it back he said "yes, that neck was a revelation. Amazing". And he's right.
For the record we both think PRS's are overated.
But not Vigiers.
You get what you pay for, as always...but even I'd say that Vigiers are a bit overpriced now. They used to be much better, and I'm lucky to live so close to their country of origin. But the guy I got mine from was French and got his from factory in 2003 for a steal, when they were not so well known anyway.
Has anyone ever tried one?
