Difference between SA1 and SD1 (and variants)

[pipedwho]

This has probably been asked before, but I couldn't find any more info than the basic description on the Anderson web site.

Anyway, what is the main difference between the SA and SD series stacked humbuckers? ie. do they have different magnets, different structures, how different are they, which sounds more vintage, how do they both compare to the VA single coils, etc.

Also, are there any sound samples of different TAG pickups?

[olectric]

Here are some soundclips of TAG pups:

http://www.barberelectronics.com/pickuptest.htm (from david barber)

http://www.marshallfbc.org/atom.html (from our own mbrown3)

unfortunately, there aren't any clips (that i know of) with the stacked (S_) pups. enjoy the clips though; some great tones in there!

actually, there are some clips on YouTube of neal schon playing an anderson classic with stacks. also, marinblues has some really tasty clips of himself playing an andy. he may have VA pups though:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-XHa8FaCwr0

[tom]

same magnet material. different wind. the SA's are a little fuller with not quite so much way high top end. most everything is getting sa's these days.

[pipedwho]

Thanks guys, very useful info.

BTW, what type of magnet is used in the SA/SD pickups?

[tom]

neodymium in a platic base.(a fexible bar, not solid rods)

[pipedwho]

Interesting, I was expecting you to say ceramic or one of the Alnicos!

I currently have SD1R,SD1,H3 on my Drop Top (rosewood fretboard on maple neck, maple cap on basswood body), but they seem to be lacking something in the midrange. What would SA1s sound like in comparison - would these sound more 'complete'?

Also, I'm thinking of matching them with an HN3 in the bridge. Is this a reasonable match?

[taclassic]

I found that the SAs did not to round out the sound in a Basswood body Drop Top. I thought it would, but upon trying it they sounded almost identical. On the other hand I have had both SAs and SDs on both Alder and Swamp Ash Classics and found a big difference in each scenario. The SAs were alwasy fuller sounding. I persoanlly prefer the more rounded out sound of the SAs.

[tom]

the hn3 would be more similar, still lots louder. the h3 is pretty giant fat next to any of our singles. i would aagree with the above post that the difference between saand sd may be enough for what you are looking for. you might want to condider sa2's with the basswood body and leave the h3. that's a very nice big set.