Nothing really odd ball about VIP, it was a factory option until fairly recently. My '86 170 and VIP2 both had the original VIP with three mini switches. The 170 now has P-Rails and the minis control them, the VIP2 was upgraded to HRWs with D-VIP, two miniswitches. Can't say I use the options much, usually just use the full humbucker sounds.
As for G&L you could say I'm partial to one or two, have you checked out the G&LDP ? http://www.guitarsby...gldp/index.php3
And for older Japanese guitars there is the Japanaxe forum ... http://forum.japanax...hpBB3/index.php