Vigier Arpege bass nonstandard electronics

[Krasher]

Hi.
I have recently adquired a second hand Vigier Arpege 4 strings bass. I think it is a Series III. The serial number is 374, so the date is 10/12/96.
The electronics are different from those specified in the manual (http://www.vigierguitars.net/bmanuals/bv4m.htm) because the volume knob is not push/pull, and it has no ROM memory selector, instead it has a pickup balance knob, a volume knob, a trebble knob, a middle knob, and a bass knob. The switch activates or deactivates the preamp (passive tone).
I attach some pictures of the bass:




Is it a Vigier Arpege Series III bass?
Why the electronics are different from those specified in the manual? Maybe the preamp has been changed?
Thanks.
Regards.

[Krasher]

I can confirm that the preamp is an Aguilar OBP-3 powered by a single 9V batttery instead of two.
 
Was this a custom order or maybe the preamp has been changed later by the previous owner?
 
Is it a Vigier Arpege Series III?

[Krasher]

Does anybody know anything about it?

[1Patrice Vigier]

We never installed Aguillar preamp....

[Krasher]

OK I assume then that the preamp has been changed by the previous owner.
Can you confirm if the bass is a Vigier Arpege Series III?

[1Patrice Vigier]

yes it is

[alexbcn]

Hi,
Got #302 from '93. Look, it's identical. That's good news

[Krasher]

Nice Arpege! It seems to have the original electronics (ROM selector, etc.).

[alexbcn]

Yes it's all original. To be entirely honest, despite it sounds fantastic, I'd probably like better a low-mid-high EQ rather than having the ROMs. It's just simpler and more intuitive... which (I guess) is probably why yours has been modified.

[Krasher]

Yes, I think that was the main reason for replacing the preamp with an Aguilar OBP-3.