what are Va5 pickups ?

[spitalny]

what are Va5 pickups and how do they compare to the Pups in my TA classic that has (neck-> bridge) VA12 VA12 VA23?

Thanks!

[tom]

they are our next take on what a vintage strat pickup sounds like. i'm not the best person to answer this as i'm not an alnico pickup lover. can't abide with the string pull, but if you want the tone, you gotta live with the pull. to my ear they are sweeter on the top. also the va 5's are paired with a passive booster instead of having individual coil taps like what you have. the goal remains the same, a great vintage tone with an additional bigger sound that still retains the original character. it's just done a different way.
hopefully others will chime in who have had both. i know you're out there...

[m_lance]

I love the VA1/1R/12 in my alder classic. Any reason I would want to try the VA5? Is the VA5 just a bigger sound than the VA1, 2, or 3? I like lower output pickups, so if the VA5 is higher output, that answers my question.
Thanks!

[bruce]

Here's my take at this:

The VA5 's beauty is in it's warmth and smooth feel in the top end and upper midrange. My opinion is that it falls into a catigory of a 50's era influenced sound and response/attack...just plain warmer. It's almost as if the VA1 was aged. This is my favorite single coil pickup.

[kurt1981]

Hey, I've been considering this option too, how bad does the greater pull effect the intonation, if at all? Also, I don't want to lose that beautifull top end that attracted me to the anderson in the first place.
Thanks much,
Kurt

[spitalny]

Thanks Tom and fellow TA fans.
I was not aware that the VA5's had more string pull. I think that would deter me because that is something I don't want more of.

Just out of curiosity though, is it possible to purchase (from TA company) a pup loaded pickgaurd so that all I'd have to do is take the one I have off and plop in the new one (and make the electrical connections of course)?



Thanks!

P

[Mystroe]

I've got a september hdtc slot, I am aiming for a full on " Vintage " vibe. I chose not to to go with the va boost, to keep the wireing as simple as possible, and to commit to the "simple" guitars vibe, while attaining drive tones elsewhere. va5 pickups. Does the additional circuitry of the va boost affect in any way the strait ( boost mode off) tone of the va5's???:

[tom]

the va5's do not have more string pull than other alnico strat pickups, just more than the sa's, m's or humbuckers.
yes we sell fully loaded pick guards, not sure of the price off the top of my head.
the booster is hard bypassed when not on so it has no affect.

[spitalny]

Are my VA12's and VA23's also Alnico magnets?

Would VA5's have more string pull than the VA's I already have?

Thanks!

Paul

[tom]

all VA's and TV's are alnico, and same strength. so no more string pull than VA1's

[JAZZGEAR]

I love the VA1/1R/12 in my alder classic. Any reason I would want to try the VA5? Is the VA5 just a bigger sound than the VA1, 2, or 3? I like lower output pickups, so if the VA5 is higher output, that answers my question.
Thanks!

Bigger sound was not my impression of the VA5s - I have them in my T Classic. In that guitar they sound smoother and sweeter than the VA1s.

If I wanted a bigger vintage sound, I would personally go with the VA2s or the switchable VA12s

[JAZZGEAR]

I've got a september hdtc slot, I am aiming for a full on " Vintage " vibe. I chose not to to go with the va boost, to keep the wireing as simple as possible, and to commit to the "simple" guitars vibe, while attaining drive tones elsewhere. va5 pickups. Does the additional circuitry of the va boost affect in any way the strait ( boost mode off) tone of the va5's???:

I hope I don't get flamed for this but I have VA5s in my T Classic with the booster....and don't really like the booster -- at least not in that guitar.

The VA5s sound so wonderful and smooth -- the only position I use the booster is on the bridge TV3 pickup. There it really helps to thicken up the sound and push the amp well into O/D w/o a booster pedal.

[GaryMcT]

Are my VA12's and VA23's also Alnico magnets?

Would VA5's have more string pull than the VA's I already have?

Thanks!

Paul

Paul,

NW Guitars has a classic in with VA5's in it with the booster if you want to hear what the pickups sound like.

[spitalny]

Hi Gary,
Thanks for letting me know 'bout the TA classic with Va5's at NW Guitars. I may go and check out what it sounds like!

Hope all is well with you!

Paul

[GaryMcT]

Hi Gary,
Thanks for letting me know 'bout the TA classic with Va5's at NW Guitars. I may go and check out what it sounds like!

Hope all is well with you!

Paul

You know, I might be wrong on that. I believe the guitar actually has SA's of some sort along with the VA booster (which seems to work as advertised).

I'll PM you with my number. I definitely want to check out your latest and possibly your classic if you don't mind. I'm having visions of classics in my dreams now. :)