va5's compared to Va12, 12, 23?

[spitalny]

Anyone made the switch to VA5's?

The Numbering system in the VA's used to mean that the higher the number (like, 1 , 2 or 3) the higher the output (and less quack, to my ear at least). So, Does the "5" in VA5 mean higher output than the Va12,Va12, Va23? Then, do the VA5's have less "quack" and "cluck" ?


Also, does the VA12, its "1" mode sound exactly like a VA1?

To my ear, my Va's sound a little bit on the harsh side (as played through Old Fender Blackface amps) and I am contemplating a pickup change.

Thanks,

P.

[tom]

5's are the same output as the 1. the 5+ is like the 2. the 1 side of the 12 is the same as the 1. the top end on the 5's is softer than the 1's.

[dannopelli]

Is there a comparable PUP for the T syle guitars?

[tom]

so far we really like the way the TV's sound so we haven't considered changing them. they don't have the harder top end the VA's did. we may do a tv2 because some have asked for a brighter bridge pu.

[John Price]

Anyone made the switch to VA5's?


To my ear, my Va's sound a little bit on the harsh side (as played through Old Fender Blackface amps) and I am contemplating a pickup change.

Thanks,

P.


I'm in a Love/Hate relationship with these pickups! I have them in my classic and it seems like somethings missing! There seems to be a top end bite that I can't get rid of. I tried messing around with my amps settings particularly the presence and got it to a likable setting but then I start hearing something else that needs to be adjusted. I'm totally satisfied with the VA5+ in the bridge it really sounds big and cuts through especially with higher gain settings so I'm not sure if its the pickups or the guitar. hoping it's in the pickups. It's an alder classic maple/rosewood neck. Somedays I'll pick it up and go Yeah! that's it! And then the next day go Hmmmm! When I play out at a gig everything seems fine but when I sit at home that's when the tweaking begins.. For some reason I can't stop playing this guitar......It's driving me mad I tell yah!!!!!


What are you hearing?

[tom]

that comment about home and gig being different is worth talking about. stuff i love at home is not always what works best at the gig, so it's important for me to keep that in mind when choosing gear. at home i'm always going for fat and lush, and at the gig i need brighter edgier stuff to cut through the band and not get in the way of the other instruments. this doesn't mean that we all need two sets of gear(but wouldn't that be fun?), but it does make me temper what i'm listening for at home.

[dannopelli]

that comment about home and gig being different is worth talking about. stuff i love at home is not always what works best at the gig, so it's important for me to keep that in mind when choosing gear. at home i'm always going for fat and lush, and at the gig i need brighter edgier stuff to cut through the band and not get in the way of the other instruments. this doesn't mean that we all need two sets of gear(but wouldn't that be fun?), but it does make me temper what i'm listening for at home.

MY GOSH! HOW TRUE!

I have been in so many bands that before the sound check the other players would say, "you are too loud." So I would turn down. Then when we started the sound guy, or folks in the audience would say, we can't hear the lead guitarist.

I find that it is because the "live" sound, when you are just playing by yourself, has to be a bit brighter, more midrangy. A friend of mine calls it more "musical." It is actually a bit annoying, but perceived as "loud."

So I have taken to getting my sound, then "lowering" the presensce, (adding cut in my case with a DR Z), after getting the "too loud comment." Then just before we hit the first note I set it back to where it was.

[tom]

pretty sneaky danno;)

[John Price]

Why is it always the guitar player?
I get that all the time! Meanwhile the drummer is killing us with his crashes and the bass is so loud from the other side of the stage and we haven't put anything through the PA yet! The owner comes up and say's "Hey can you keep it down? I still have customers!"

I usually start off at low volumes especially in a familiar venue, let the other players get comfortable and then I turn it up......

I love Rock N' Roll baby!.......:D

[Harry]

Why is it the drummers always complain about the volume??

[dannopelli]

And you always have to go looking for them after the break!

This is TOO comical!

[tom]

we've been thinking about putting a leash on our bass player. he's often late to the second set.

[Suriel Zayas]

drummers and bass players are usually the ones who upset the mix. drummers hitting the snare, as if they are angry at it, right in the critical range. bass players forget that bass frequencies travel omnidirectionally and get in everyone's way. but we can't live without them.:D

[spitalny]

Hi Johnprice,
I wasn't clear in your post if you have the VA 12 1,2 2,3 or you have the newer VA5 va5 va5+. I had heard from Roy and Tom tha tthe VA5's have a little bit more tame high frequency response compared to the VA1,2 va1,2 va2,3 pickups? So, I am surpised if you are saying that the 5's have a high end that seems over the top.


My experience with the VA 1,2 va1,2 va2,3 setup is as follows:

Middle/bridge - perfect, love it.
bridge - I use it more than in my old Fender strat, very nice with tube screamer or Zen drive

Neck and neck/middle are the settings where I feel like there is too much "attack"

That is why I have been mulling-over the possibility of getting a new pick guard loaded with the VA5's and the VA5 mid range "boost." So, I am surprised from your post (if I read it correctly) that the 5's have too much (to your ear) high end.

The tone obsession continues!!

Paul

[John Price]

Hey Paul!
I have the VA5/VA5/VA5+ with the booster! setup.
What I'm hearing is a high end peak! I'm not saying that these pickups are "brittle/biting/harsh/piercing" whatever term we musicians use! in any way! I do think they are very musical and usable! but I do hear this high peak frequency that I'm not used to hearing! Again it's the Love/Hate thing that keeps me wanting to keep these pickups! Tonight at rehearsal they performed great. It's when I sit down at home/Studio when my ears start to dial it in.
As far as the booster goes it reminds me of how a humbucker reacts. And for me it tightens up the feel adding just a little roundness to the notes... If that means anything!?

It's funny! This last weekend I did a big cable test and was surprised at how the length of cables had an effect on how the booster sounded! some gave it a pronounced mid boost and others were very transparent!.....

OK! I'm starting to rant!

Later! Let us know if you try the pickups!


John

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, if I can chime in with another question,

I have a clasic with Va1's in neck and middle, and a va12 in bridge. I want a fatter bridg tone, more tele like if possible, and wouldn't mind beefing up the neck and middle as well. I switch between this guitar and my droptop which has fullsized hums in it, so the change is a tad bit more than I'd like. I'm wondering, if the va5's with the booster are the way to go or if I should try the va23s. Also, can you get the booster on the va23s, or is it just on the va5's? Is that enough mindless questioning, sorry guys!!!!
Thanks all,
Kurt

[spitalny]

Kurt,
I have VA12, VA12 and VA23 (neck middle bridge) pickups. I also have the older style boost. The prevoious VA boost (the one I have, before they came-up with the VA5 boost) is done with a mini switch that connects extra coil windings to generate more output. The increase in output (to my ear) is also accompanied by a small (but I notice it) loss of "Stratiness." You know, that kind of clucky quacky thing gets reduced a little while in boost mode. But, I do use it from time to time and it does warm-up the bridge pickup a bit.

My understanding of pups is that, at least with single coils, the more windings you have, the less quack and cluck you'll get. On the other hand, often the pups with lower winding counts can be excessively trebly. I am not 100% sure on this. Perhaps someone else can chime-in, or cluck-in!! ;-)

[korinabill]

I have a salmon/fiesta red classic that came out a few years back with VA12, VA12, VA3, & containing the VA Booster switch. I have A/B'd it with VA5/VA5+ guitars, and still really like my VA's just as much. It reminds me a little of Texas Specials when in the boosted setting. I think that particular guitar & its Eb tuning compliments the pickups a little as well.

[kurt1981]

I guess I am hoping for a bit more umph without losing too much of the nice top end. I do a ton of clean work, funk and soul music, so that's crucial to me, but I'd like to have the more midrangey tone for soloing, maybe fatten up my overdriven tones. I wonder what a new set of pickups would run me with the boost circuit?

[Rob C.]

Tom,

We started this docking system a few years ago for when people are late getting back from set break.

More then 5 minutes late and it's $15 dock from your pay to be paid to the other members in the band. There are 4 members in the band so basically everyone else gets a $5 raise when someone is more then 5 minutes late.

If someone is late enough before the show to actually push back start time the fine is doubled. We used to have a habitual problem with tardiness - a couple of members were late once and that was all it took.

Funny how things change when it effects the pocket?!

See ya, Rob

[tom]

unfortunately we all play for free, so money won't be a motivator.

[mbrown3]

unfortunately we all play for free, so money won't be a motivator.

How about anyone late brings coffee for everyone the next time?

[tom]

we don't get paid, but we do have coffee!

[csd]

Oh Ya, did someone say coffee!! I'll have a large with 2 cream!