Guitars and basses:
Electronic
Since 2009 the Excalibur (Excepted Ultra) potentiometers are 1 meg Log. Prior to 2009, we used 500k Log.
The Expert is currently and has always used 250k Log pots
For instruments prior 2016:
First of all, you should make sure you use good cables such as RapcoHorizon, with a branded plug (Neutrik, Switchcraft).
If you stepped on the guitar cable, the jack input may have been damaged and needs to be replaced. The original reference is Switchcraft 152B but due to manufacturing inconsistency of Switchcraft for this item, we recommend to use an equivalent. Any ‘long barrel stereo’ jack should work just fine.
For instruments after 2015 that are equipped with the current locking jack unit, reference is Neutrik NJ3FP6C-B
Tools for changing the 152B long jack:
Do it yourself (based on a 14mm ring spanner):
To buy at Stewart Mc Donald (Jack The Gripper)
Here is the reference of the button cell: CR2032 with solder lugs.
Nominal voltage 3V
Capacity 240mAh
Type of termination Solder lugs
Diameter 20mm
You will need to unsolder the two wires from the old battery and re-solder them onto the new one, then insulate the battery with plastic.
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Neck
In 2010
Rosewood has a warm, round sound, while maple has a bright a clear sound… at least it is what everybody believes! We think it is more a matter of personal touch and feeling.
Model | Head width (mm) | Head height (mm) |
Excalibur / G.V./Marilyn | 2,70 | 1,00 |
Excalibur Shawn Lane | 2,28 | 1,40 |
Expert | 2,40 | 1,20 |
Basses | 2,70 | 1,00 |
- Check that your nut is properly adjusted to your strings. If the grooves are too wide, the strings will float and make noise. If you have a Teflon nut, remove it and look below:
- 1 dot = gauge 9-42 to 9-46
- 2 dots = gauge 10-52
- 3 dots = gauge 12-56
- Check that your zero fret is not notched. If it is notched, it must be changed. You can buy a replacement from a dealer. If you have the Zero Fret S, you only need to change the individual part of the fret under the string that makes noise.
- Install the String Dampener if your guitar didn’t come with one stock. Also available from dealers, it sticks just behind the nut and dampens noise.
Yes.
If you have a guitar without tremolo or with the non locking tremolo, make sure to change or adjust your nut for the new strings.
The risk if you do not do it:
Bad tuning stability (if strings are heavier) or noise at the zero fret (if strings are thinner).
For those who have a Vigier with a Teflon nut:
We have 3 type for guitars: 9-46 / 10-52 / 12-56
We have 3 type for basses: 40-95 / 45-100 / 50-105
If you are using a tremolo equipped guitar, you can follow this guide:
http;//youtu.be/j-urIpWsFcs
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Bridges
If you’re reading this, then unfortunately we do not currently have plans for an Ultra with a Floyd. Sorry!
I have a Vigier with a non-locking vibrato and my guitar goes out of tune when I use the vibrato.
– You must check that the nut does not jam the strings, there are 3 types of nut
1 dot= gauge 9-42 to 9-46
2 dots= gauge 10-52
3 dots= gauge 12-56
You must choose a nut adapted to your string gauge.
– Check that you do not wrap the strings around the tuners shaft, see the manual for how to do this.
– Check that you have not loosened the screw at the end of the machine head button.
– You can also put a spot of grease under the part of the string that rests on the zero fret.
– Check that the Flexretainer is vertical
The Floyd Rose trems are different, the new ones won’t fit early Excaliburs from 1991/1992.
However, the Vigier 2000 vibrato can be replaced with the newer Vigier 2010.
You can order it from your dealer, either from Vigier or from Schaller.
For earlier Excalibur Supras and Specials equipped with the 2010 vibrato, beware the diameter of your arm is 5 mm and is not available anymore, you have to replace the bar insert that goes into the base plate to use a 6mm bar, but this has to be done by a luthier or mechanical.
On later models featuring the 2011 trem, the diameter is 6mm.
Vigier references:
Vibrato 2011 et 2017 : µVIG-TIGE2011
Vibrato Vigier Floyd : µVIG-TIGEVE6
Schaller reference:
6 mm tremolo arm: 13080200
Models | Key | Key | Key | Key | SecurityLock | String gauges |
With 2010-2011 vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Supra Special Indus Thirteen Kaos Ultra Expert |
1,3 | 1,5 | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 |
Excalibur Shawn Lane | 1,3 | 1,5 | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-42 |
With Floyd vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Original Custom |
2,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 | ||
Excalibur Bfoot | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-42 | ||
With left hand vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Indus Special |
1,5 | 2 | 3 | No | 9-46 | |
With 7 string vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur Supra 7 Special 7 |
1,5 | 3 | No | 9-60 | ||
With hard tail | ||||||
Excalibur Surfreter | 1,5 | No | 12-52 | |||
Excalibur : Supra Special |
1,5 | No | 9-46 | |||
G.V. | 1,3 | 1,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 | |
Marylin | Yes | 9-46 | ||||
Excess 4 | 1,5 | 2,5 | No | 40-95 | ||
Excess 5 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-120 | ||
Excess Roger Glover | 1,5 | 2,5 | No | 45-100 | ||
Basse Passion 4 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-95 | ||
Basse Passion 5 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-120 | ||
Basse Arpege 4 | 1,5 | 2 | Yes | 40-95 | ||
Basse Arpege 5 | 1,5 | 2 | Yes | 40-120 |
Dimensions are in mm
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Pickups
You can order any set of pickups from any other guitar in our line up (the Custom pickups in a Supra for instance.) The major exception here is the EMGs from the Ultra since they require a battery cavity that isn’t found on any other guitar.
If you change the bridge pickup you should use a pickup with F spacing (like a Seymour Duncan from the TB series), they are drilled for 6 screws and fit our pickguards.
If you replace the neck pickup you must use the standard series and therefore you have no other alternative than to drill additional 2mm holes in the base of the pickup to fit your pickguard.
We only have certain pickguard / color configurations in stock. Contact us to see what is possible.
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Cleaning
To clean your fretboard and body, a small amount of glass cleaner is absolutely fine.
If your fretboard is especially dirty, a small amount of white spirit (paint thinner) will go a long way toward cleaning it.
Any guitar specific guitar cleaner product and cloth is fine for the body.
Fretboard conditioner or lemon oil can be used for Ebony and Rosewood boards.
Vigier recommends MusicNomad instrument care products for use with our guitars and basses.
You can use any polish paste for either metal or varnish. You can find such products in an auto parts store.
The very best product we recommend is MusicNomad’s Cymbal Cleaner.
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Sound
An electric guitar is not an acoustic guitar; therefore, the influence of the body wood on the instrument’s sound is negligible.
Other factors have a much greater impact, such as:
- The pickups (type, position, settings)
- The strings
- The scale length
- And so on.
The finish on an electric guitar has no impact on its sound. However, we apply only the necessary amount to protect the instrument while avoiding unnecessary weight.
In the industry, manufacturers often use thicker layers (sometimes exceeding a millimeter). This simplifies the application process and makes it easier for polishing robots to work. The result is a thick layer of plastic on the body, which lacks elegance from a luthier’s perspective!
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Strings
Savarez, DR, Elixir, D’Addario, GHS, Curt Mangan or Ernie Ball all make great strings. To keep your string fresh for as long as possible, wash your hand before playing, and wipe your strings when you are done. We recommend Music Nomad String Fuel for a cleaner and lubricant.
Models | Key | Key | Key | Key | SecurityLock | String gauges |
With 2010-2011 vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Supra Special Indus Thirteen Kaos Ultra Expert |
1,3 | 1,5 | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 |
Excalibur Shawn Lane | 1,3 | 1,5 | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-42 |
With Floyd vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Original Custom |
2,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 | ||
Excalibur Bfoot | 2,5 | 3 | No | 9-42 | ||
With left hand vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur : Indus Special |
1,5 | 2 | 3 | No | 9-46 | |
With 7 string vibrato : | ||||||
Excalibur Supra 7 Special 7 |
1,5 | 3 | No | 9-60 | ||
With hard tail | ||||||
Excalibur Surfreter | 1,5 | No | 12-52 | |||
Excalibur : Supra Special |
1,5 | No | 9-46 | |||
G.V. | 1,3 | 1,5 | 3 | No | 9-46 | |
Marylin | Yes | 9-46 | ||||
Excess 4 | 1,5 | 2,5 | No | 40-95 | ||
Excess 5 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-120 | ||
Excess Roger Glover | 1,5 | 2,5 | No | 45-100 | ||
Basse Passion 4 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-95 | ||
Basse Passion 5 | 1,5 | 2 | No | 40-120 | ||
Basse Arpege 4 | 1,5 | 2 | Yes | 40-95 | ||
Basse Arpege 5 | 1,5 | 2 | Yes | 40-120 |
Dimensions are in mm
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Miscellaneous
You can order parts here.
For Excaliburs, you can determine the approximate year of production with the serial number on the back of the guitar. The first two digits are generally the year of production. For example, 9700064 means the guitar was produced in 1997; 0200089 means it was produced in 2002. This is not always 100% accurate, especially for guitars with black hardware. The real date is stamped on the neck and in the body neck pocket.
For the Excess series, you have to unscrew the neck, the date is stamped on the neck heel.
Other models prior to 2010 (neck through guitars and basses) have their year of production located under the Bridge Pickup. You can also look date your instrument here: Date your Vigier.
You can download vRef and install it on your PC, you will then able to see all option with prices.
You need to buy a shock-resistant flight case if the guitar goes with the luggage (Flight case = aluminum structure + foam inside to absorb shocks.)
If you do not have a flight case:
You have a case or you have a gig bag, put bubble wrap around the case/gig bag, put in the bottom of a good cardboard box with more bubble wrap, insert the case/gig bag in the box, put more bubble wrap on top of the case/gig bag.
The finish on an electric guitar has no impact on its sound. However, we apply only the necessary amount to protect the instrument while avoiding unnecessary weight.
In the industry, manufacturers often use thicker layers (sometimes exceeding a millimeter). This simplifies the application process and makes it easier for polishing robots to work. The result is a thick layer of plastic on the body, which lacks elegance from a luthier’s perspective!
We do, visit our shop https://parts.vigierguitars.com.
The Excalibur Special and Indus are available in left-handed versions.
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Endorsement:
Endorsement
For endorsement requests we answer only proposals made by post.
It is necessary to send us a “Press-kit”, complete with CD, photographs, biography, articles, and any other documents promoting the artist and / or the group.
We also ask that every artist completes and encloses the endorsement form , which will help us determine what level of endorsement is best for the artist / group.
Please be aware that a simple email or phone call does not allow us to judge the potential of proposal.
Send your requests to the following address:
Vigier
Endorsements
10-12 rue de l’abbé Grégoire
ZAC des radars
91350 Grigny
FRANCE
It is not necessary to remind us of your request; we pay close attention to all the files that are sent to us.
We will contact the artist / group which are the most appropriate.
Otherwise, files are archived and it is possible that the artist / group is later re-contacted for another possibility in our catalogue which corresponds better to their style.
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Miscellaneous:
Miscellaneous
For Excaliburs, you can determine the approximate year of production with the serial number on the back of the guitar. The first two digits are generally the year of production. For example, 9700064 means the guitar was produced in 1997; 0200089 means it was produced in 2002. This is not always 100% accurate, especially for guitars with black hardware. The real date is stamped on the neck and in the body neck pocket.
For the Excess series, you have to unscrew the neck, the date is stamped on the neck heel.
Other models prior to 2010 (neck through guitars and basses) have their year of production located under the Bridge Pickup. You can also look date your instrument here: Date your Vigier.
You need to buy a shock-resistant flight case if the guitar goes with the luggage (Flight case = aluminum structure + foam inside to absorb shocks.)
If you do not have a flight case:
You have a case or you have a gig bag, put bubble wrap around the case/gig bag, put in the bottom of a good cardboard box with more bubble wrap, insert the case/gig bag in the box, put more bubble wrap on top of the case/gig bag.
Yes, but… we may not update the web site as quickly as we wish to.
Note that images are show for color reference purpose.