A model for music beginners, designed to withstand repeated use. Normal / High Position.
Generation 1 (1995)
The bright, colourful package was clearly aimed at young people. The shell was transparent, with the model name printed across it in the same style as on the package. It used a short leader, a sturdy shell joined by ultrasonic welding, and a slim plastic case. Priced below HF and HF II, it was also a very economical cassette.
Explanatory note
The product targeted music beginners, from the upper grades of elementary school through middle school, who were just starting to take an interest in music. Two types were offered: Normal and High Position.
The author associates GIG (ギグ) with “Get in the Groove”, glossed as catching a good sound, and says the word refers to a small live performance or concert. The name appears to suggest a tool for enjoying music casually.
Young users were expected to listen to a cassette repeatedly and reuse it many times, so a durable tape was a distinctive feature. The package had a bright design that also reflected its intended audience.
It was priced below the CDix series: a basic music cassette affordable on pocket money.
In the mid-1980s there were products using the GIG name in a sports series, including スポーツウォークマン (Sports Walkman), but they appear unrelated to this series.
Generation 2 (1996)
The second generation had a revised design. The 電池長持ち・スタミナカセット (long-battery-life Stamina cassette) used a BS, バッテリーセービング (battery-saving), mechanism to reduce tape-path friction, ease the load on a portable player’s motor and extend battery life. It used a translucent カラークリスタルハーフ (coloured crystal shell), a short leader and a slim, rounded case resistant to dust. A 10-minute version was added.
Generation 3 (1997)
The スライドケース (slide case) allowed the cassette to be removed quickly with one hand. The coloured shell was light blue for 1 and light yellow for 2. A convenient index and title label could be attached directly to the case. The packages featured striking character illustrations, unusual for cassettes. The poses varied with type and recording length, giving 16 designs across 1 and 2.
Generation 4 (1998)
The newly developed デュアル・イン・スライドケース (dual-in slide case) accepted the cassette either way round, regardless of side or orientation. The packages featured GIGガール (GIG Girl) and GIGボーイ (GIG Boy), illustrated by 藤原カムイ (Kamui Fujiwara). For the first time in an audio cassette, the キララ・クリスタルハーフ (glitter crystal shell) incorporated glitter into the resin.
Generation 5 (1999)
The fifth generation changed to packaging with illustrations resembling photographs of faces. The 1 shell was pale pink and the 2 pale lime; both used a キララ・スモークハーフ (smoked shell with rainbow glitter). The デュアル・イン・スライドケース (dual-in slide case) was retained. Production moved from Japan to Thailand.
Generation 6 (200?)
The package design changed substantially to a more decorative style. The plastic case became the かわいい！かちゃ入れスライドケース (cute snap-in slide case). The shell was transparent pale blue. It was manufactured in Thailand using tape made in the United States.