VA or M

[jcammack]

I am about to order a new solid alder, rosewood fingerboard TAG Classic and would appreciate opinions and advice on selecting PUPS. (Unfortunately, I dont' live near a TAG dealer so I can't hear the PUP differences in the flesh.) I should say that I am chasing vintage SRV tone. My obvious options are VA1-VA1-VA2(3) or VA12-VA12-VA23 or VA5-VA5-VA5 or M1-M1-M2(3). Any experiential thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
James

[bruce]

If you CANNOT live with 60 cycle hum then go with the M1 M1 M2.

If you CAN live with 60 cycle hum, the VA5's are it. That would be the truest to the SRV thang.

[jcammack]

Thanks Bruce,

60 cycle hum is not an issue with me. What is the difference between the VA5 and the other vintage single coils? Is there a booster circuitry? I can't find anything about the VA5 on the TA website.

James

[m_lance]

I've spoken with Bruce emailed Roiy about this as I have VA1s on my solid alder classic and was considering swapping the VA1s for VA5s (I think I will do this once I've saved a little cash - swap will cost a few hundred). Here's a quote from Roy's email.

============
VA5s are a sweeter vintage pickup and are for those who are sensitive to the more aggressive high end of the VA1. For me personally, I can play either pickup, VA1 or VA5, and be very happy as they have the same resonant peak. But the VA5s have a sweeter top and a more soothing attack which I think most will find pleasing.
=============

After speaking to Bruce, the booster is apparently a way to get more sounds out of 1 guitar. The booster is supposed to give you a somewhat bigger tone is something you can use live for a solo or for heavier rhythm.

For me, I've gotten so used to rolling off my volume knob for a little less and using mild overdrives when I want a little more that the booster isn't really something I want. You may be different.

[jcammack]

I like the idea of a "sweeter top and a more soothing attack". VA5 is the choice then.

Thanks

[Stys]

Hate to throw a wrench into your guitar design but my swamp ash classic w/m's has the punch with a really smooth overtone.

[jcammack]

Stys- You really know how to play the devil's advocate. I think I will give Roy a call at TA tomorrow. I'm sure that he can shed some light on this decision.

[Stys]

Sorry jcammack.....you know, I was really unsure about the m's before I got them but I figured if I did not like them, I could always get some VA's and a new pickguard. The m's are still in my swamp ash classic because I really like how they record....sometimes, in a controlled environment, swamp ash sounds really nice whereas alder can be too punchy. However, if you have a drummer who plays way too loud - what is it with drummers? - alder will cut right through.

[JAZZGEAR]

VA5s are the best SC pups I've come across -- right there behind them would be the Fender EJ pickups.

[jcammack]

I just wanted to thank all of you for contributing to this thread. After a lengthy discussion with Roy at TAG, I decided to go with an alder body/maple fretboard with M-series PUPS in all three positions. Since it is a classic, I can change out the PUPS to VA5s or whatever if I want to. Due to arrive in February. I'll let all know the verdict then.

James

[tom]

fortunately or unfortunately we're not all you gary. the va's or any alnico single coil would be the wrong choice for me. but we're not all like me either.
here's my advise james. if you've been chasing that tone, and have been super close with many single coil equipped guitars, the VA5's would be my choice. if you've tried guitars like that and they always sound or feel too thin, then the m's would be the choice. my m1 on my atom special, about as un strat like a guitar as you can get, through my rig, gives me the best strat neck pickup tone i've ever had in my life. and i've owned lots of old strats.

[GaryMcT]

fortunately or unfortunately we're not all you gary.

Fortunately, I'd say! That would be pretty scary. :)

[kurt1981]

So, are the M series pickups much darker than my Va1's? I've been wanting a beefier bridge pickup in my clasic, but I don't really want to put a full humbucker in there. How do the M's sound split? Thanks and sorry to highjack,
Kurt

[Dave K]

I have an alder classic m/rw that came with M1's in the middle and neck, and I struggled trying to get big single coil tones out of it. I love fat single coil tone like SRV, and for me putting in real single coils was the answer.

For reference I played thru a vintage BFSR, Bassman, '72 Super Lead, various plexi style amps, all at gig volume.

Good luck on your quest, and remember the waiting is the hardest part. ;)