We had already tested a first cousin of the guitar that fills this space today. It was a bass from the same brand, and it left us truly impressed. We had great expectations, then, for the review of the Vigier guitars, which we awaited impatiently.
When I was at the photo shoot and saw it come out of the gig bag, I couldn't help picking it up. Even then, still unplugged, I knew this was something very powerful. Over the course of the review we'll discover the reason for this impression, though I'll tell you up front that this guitar is a powerhouse: precise, flawless and perfectly cared for in each and every detail.
The Look and Body Shape
Although we absolutely loved everything about the bass I mentioned, perhaps the toughest part (in our eyes) was the looks, a somewhat odd cut, more than retro. In this case, the guitar has a pleasing "look," regardless of the natural finish (which I personally love). The shape is a little more modern, with clear Strat overtones but with small variations on Fender's well-known design. The tips, or horns, are slightly longer, an almost imperceptible but real detail. The instrument is sleek and has a contoured upper edge (the one that rests against your torso/picking arm), which is always more comfortable.
It's a lightweight guitar: approximately 3.1 kg. Although it's well known that heavy guitars are the most commanding in natural sustain, I can vouch for this instrument's power in that regard. Specifically, during testing I had to set the guitar down momentarily on a flat surface; I was in a hurry and didn't have time to turn the knobs down or mute the signal. When I set it down, a small harmonic came out and clung to the sustain indefinitely, because it didn't stop sounding until I came back and picked up the guitar.
The body, built under the same wood-selection criteria as the neck described below, is made of alder. A body made up of exactly two pieces, joined at the center, unlike other manufacturers who use four or even seven different pieces to build this section.
As for the finish, the instrument has more than ten coats of polished varnish.
The Neck
As the manufacturer says, this element is a key piece for both sound and playing comfort. Vigier shows off its special interest and care in making this part. They guarantee that each neck is individually gone over by their luthiers. As you can imagine, I haven't been able to verify personally that this is so; what I can vouch for is that the finish of the instrument is, and I almost never dare say this, PERFECT.
As for the wood, the same one used on the majestic classic instruments is employed: maple. The raw material is selected (as we noted in our review of the bass) from French forests. A natural drying process lasting years before cutting, along with a controlled humidity level in storage, gives the guitar a resounding firmness and precision.
Fretboard and Frets
The manufacturer lets us choose between rosewood or maple. It also states that in the treatment and setup of each fret, time is spent leveling them to hundredths of a millimeter and then polishing them by hand.
10/90 Neck System
An exclusive concept in which the traditional bar (truss rod) is replaced by a material made of carbon (90%) and wood (10%), reinforcing the neck. This feature helps produce a neck that's stronger and more stable in the face of climate changes, which, as you well know, are among the worst enemies of our beloved guitars. Another logical explanation for the advantages of the 10/90 neck system is that the vibrations produced by our picking and the strings themselves are better absorbed by this fusion of materials.
The Zero Fret
A curious feature of Vigier instruments that jumps out as soon as you see the neck. The study carried out by the company's research and development department points to a perfect string height as well as a reduction of string-to-fret clearance. I can attest that this intention is achieved in practice.
The Tremolo: Vigier 2010
For this section, and although the manufacturer has technical literature explaining it (such as its "ball bearing" system or the minimal distance between the bridge saddle and the point where the string is anchored), I'll limit myself to telling you about my personal experience in testing. Like the rest of the guitar, the tremolo responds perfectly. It's precise, sensitive and withstands everything you throw at it without going out of tune one bit.
Electronics, DiMarzio Pickups
Three single-coil pickups are responsible for this Vigier's vintage sound.
During construction and pickup fitting, a special product is sprayed inside the cavity that will house them to reduce possible hum afterward. DiMarzio and Switchcraft components are the ones chosen here.
The Sound
You can guess where this is going on a guitar with vintage-style single-coil pickups. Sharp, crystalline, powerful highs. All these traits within a dense, full-bodied setting. Obviously this isn't a "thick," heavy guitar with a humbucker sound. It sounds really good and handles itself perfectly in whatever kind of setting we put it in. If we're comparing, the sound reminds me of a Fender Stratocaster, although it would have to be a high-end Strat to measure up to this powerful Vigier.
In any case, I'm steering the demos toward the different sounds you can get from the instrument. At least those where it seems to me it fits best: rhythm parts with a touch of saturation (in cuts), nearly clean solos, solos with distortion and passages that emphasize the attack (slap-style).
Conclusions
Instruments this perfect rarely pass through my hands. The tuning, intonation, natural harmonic output, sustain, tonal balance between its strings and feel... all of it is unbeatable.
Some time ago I came to the conclusion that, to get around (in luxury style) in all settings and enjoy the authentic sound that different styles demand, the ideal for any guitarist is to have two very different guitars. One of them a heavy instrument, with a thick, dark, hard-rocking tone and the most commanding humbucker sound. And then a sharp, piercing guitar with good punch, a biting attack and emphasized brightness. This Vigier fits the second option described wonderfully.
To conclude that is to conclude a lot, since getting two good guitars is a luxury most of us can't afford until... I don't know when. So, considering that this is an excellent piece and that it performs magnificently in any circumstance, I'll sum up by saying that if you get this instrument, you'll have one impressive guitar. All that's left is to save up.
