In the realm of guitar innovation, Vigier Guitars has consistently pushed boundaries. Back in 2003, they unveiled a prototype at Musik Messe in Frankfurt that hinted at the future of guitar versatility: the “memory guitar.” This instrument, though ultimately not released for production, showcased a revolutionary concept centered around programmable pickup combinations and MIDI integration, effectively embodying an early form of a sophisticated Guitar Midi Pickup system.
The core idea behind the Vigier memory guitar was to allow players to store and recall up to 17 different pickup configurations, along with volume and tone settings. This was achieved without altering the fundamental passive sound of the pickups themselves. The system acted as a sophisticated preset manager for your guitar’s sonic palette.
What made this prototype particularly forward-thinking was its MIDI compatibility. By incorporating MIDI, Vigier enabled seamless sound changes directly from MIDI devices such as pedalboards or effects units. The guitar could respond to up to 128 program changes, offering an unprecedented level of real-time control over pickup selection and tone. This integration of MIDI technology with pickup selection was a significant step towards what we now understand as advanced guitar MIDI pickup functionality.
Vigier themselves were no strangers to memory-equipped guitars. They had previously released the Nautilus in 1983, recognized as the world’s first memory guitar. However, the 2003 prototype aimed for enhanced user-friendliness without sacrificing efficiency. Vigier emphasized its unique nature, positioning it as another pioneering effort in guitar technology.
Technical Highlights of the Memory Guitar Prototype:
- 17 Pickup Combinations: The prototype offered a wide array of sonic options through its programmable pickup settings.
- Intuitive Pickup Switching: Standard toggle switches were repurposed to control pickup selection:
- SW1: Neck pickup (Off/Single-Coil/Humbucker)
- SW2: Middle pickup (Off/On)
- SW3: Bridge pickup (Off/Single Coil/Humbucker)
- SW4: Standby (All Off), Bridge Humbucker Only, or Master (SW1+SW2+SW3)
- Visual Feedback: 6 LEDs indicated the active pickup selection, providing clear visual feedback to the player.
- Standard Controls with Memory Functionality: Volume and tone knobs operated like those on a traditional guitar but their settings could be memorized as part of a preset.
- Simple Memory Storage: Storing a sound was designed to be straightforward: set the desired pickup, volume, and tone, press the record button, select a MIDI program number, and hold the record button again to save.
- Edit Mode: Adjusting volume or tone after recalling a preset would engage an edit mode, allowing for on-the-fly tweaks. Changing switch positions reverted the system to manual mode, reflecting “what you see is what you get” operation.
- Non-Volatile Memory: Stored settings were retained even without battery power (9V battery powered the electronics).
- Combined Output: A single 5-pin DIN jack handled both audio output and MIDI input, simplifying connectivity.
While the Vigier memory guitar prototype of 2003 never reached mass production, it remains a fascinating example of early innovation in guitar MIDI pickup technology and programmable guitar systems. It demonstrated a clear vision for integrating digital control with the core analog sound of electric guitar pickups, a concept that continues to inspire guitar technology development today.
