Vigier Passion and Arpege - what's the difference?

[ped]

9 minutes ago, itu said:

Sir, a copy of that pdf to me, please! Nice pair of dark ladies, by the way. (can almost hear Cher singing that song in the background)

 

I would like to add, that Passion and Arpege were available with three preamps (and few versions of them) during series II time, at least:

- ROM module preamp (Passion): volume and several presets with a rotating switch. Recognizable from two dots (the preamp attachment to the top) between pot hats. Few modules available.

- semiparametric: the most common unit. Arpege has one more pot (bass, I think).

- Nautilus (Arpege): the very rare and strange preamp with memory and display among others. Has approx. 251 pots and switches, or so.

Quite some data can be found from the net, but these are the basics.

Indeed - however the Arpege semi-parametric extra control knob alters the frequency of the boost/cut knob. It was also available with a ROM preamp without the removable pre-amp cartridges you mention for the Passion bass. Instead it had a 12 position switch http://www.vigierguitars.net/bcatalog/bfcv4.htm

I've never tried the ROM preamp

[ped]

On 02/02/2019 at 16:13, Hitra said:

And here is my basses; Arpege Series II sept. '86.

Lovely - a nice matching pair! Ever been tempted to convert one to fretless?

[itu]

13 minutes ago, ped said:

Indeed - however the Arpege semi-parametric extra control knob alters the frequency of the boost/cut knob. It was also available with a ROM preamp without the removable pre-amp cartridges you mention for the Passion bass. Instead it had a 12 position switch http://www.vigierguitars.net/bcatalog/bfcv4.htm

But Sir, the semiparametric has a frequency knob on both preamps, Arpege and Passion. Passion only has volume, treble and the frequency knob, but Arpege has one more, so is it a bass or pan? This probably relates to different year models/versions. I just have two versions of Series II from 1988 and 1989. Their difference is that the frequency knob works CW and CCW.

[ped]

6 minutes ago, itu said:

But Sir, the semiparametric has a frequency knob on both preamps, Arpege and Passion. Passion only has volume, treble and the frequency knob, but Arpege has one more, so is it a bass or pan? This probably relates to different year models/versions. I just have two versions of Series II from 1988 and 1989. Their difference is that the frequency knob works CW and CCW.

Sorry yes you're right, the extra knob controls the level of boost/cut, whereas the Passion has a switch for cut or boost and the level is pre-set.

Also the Arpege has a series/parallel switch

[Hitra]

One is passive; the preamp didn't work so I took it out. It has Jazz bass setup; those Benedetti pickups are amazing. I use mostly the passive bass. If you send me an email address to [email protected] I can send you the Vigier brochure in PDF. I Try to post it also...

Vigier.zip

Vigier.pdf

[LeftyJ]

This might be of interest to someone here:

 

For sale: 1986 Vigier Arpege II
€ 1.600,00
http://link.marktplaats.nl/m1389018096

 

Not affiliated with the seller in any way, just thought I'd share. Had this been a lefty, then it would have gotten its own thread, starting with the letters N, B and D 😅

Edited March 21, 2019 by LeftyJ

[gorandelac]

Hey guys, I can't decide between Apege IV or Passion IV. 

 

I know that Apege had dual 3 band while Passion don't. And difference between pickup placement. 

But can you tell mu more about that ROM thing. 

 

Hard decision. 

[Hellzero]

On 04/02/2019 at 10:26, ped said:

Indeed - however the Arpege semi-parametric extra control knob alters the frequency of the boost/cut knob. It was also available with a ROM preamp without the removable pre-amp cartridges you mention for the Passion bass. Instead it had a 12 position switch http://www.vigierguitars.net/bcatalog/bfcv4.htm

I've never tried the ROM preamp

I think your answers were just above in this thread @gorandelac. 😉

[gorandelac]

I read that but still no clue what are cartridges and ROM and how it's working. 

 

A also read the manual for Series III  but isn't it different from series IV? 

[Doctor J]

The Arpege IV doesn't have ROMs

 

Electronic

Pickup brand name : Vigier
Type of pickup : Single, twin coil in line
Switch : Balance
Controls : Volume
Balance

Equalizer for bass pickup:
Bass
Medium
Treble

Equalizer for treble pickup:
Bass
Medium
Treble 

 

 

https://www.vigierguitars.com/catalog/index.php?id_product=42789&controller=product&id_lang=1

[Hellzero]

Okay, so this 1986 Vigier preamp was meant to have an extra memory slot thanks to a cartridge which is a RAM (Random Acces Memory) meaning you can store your sounds (EQ settings) and recall them afterwards.

 

The ROM (Read Only Memory) is almost the same, except that the sounds (EQ settings) are factory prerecorded and can't be edited.

 

There were a few ROMs available back then, but mainly for guitar...

[Doctor J]

I have an Arpege 4 and a Passion II, haven't played a Passion IV yet. I'd love the Arpege electronics with the Passion pickup placement. If you like fatter, warmer tones, go with the Arpege. If you like growl, go with the Passion.

 

[Hellzero]

It was, in fact, a light version of the Nautilus programmable preamp. 😉