VA5's versus VA 12's

[Kid Metric]

Anyone have any input on these?
I have a Classic, 04-16-06P, which has the VA12'/VA 23.
Has anyone had a chance to compare to the VA5's?
Thanks, as always!

[coaltrain]

I think that if you just search this forum for this topic you'll find that it has been talked about a lot.

In a nut shell, the VA5s sound more like the best vintage single coils and the 12/23s sound like fat single coils.

[spitalny]

VA12/23:
I've been playing VA12, VA12 and VA23 (N, M, B) for a couple of years in an Alder TA classic (rosewood fret board). I recently tried some other well known aftermarket vintage style pups in my TA classic. Two different sets..and I have to tell you that it really made me appreciate the VA12, Va23's. The VA12/23's have indeed a fatter sound. Not as classic or vintage (or whatever word you want to use) but when I tried the other pups I missed the fatness of the VA's. Sometimes I feel like the VA's have too sharp an attack..but that feeling comes and goes. They are very good pickups!

VA5: I tried at a local TA dealer. They definitely sound more vintage...they are the most vintage sounding Anderson pups set I have heard to date. But now I am not so sure I want that sound after my VA12/VA23 learning experience! I wouldn't say VA5's are better, just different. More classic/vintage sounding. It all depends what sound you are after. I have come to highly apprecaite the VA12/VA12/VA23 set.

All pickup opinions subject to change without notice due to weather, mood, stock market, etc. !

[dannopelli]

If you go down to reply 10 in the post linked below I do a comparison. And there are all kinds of discussions about these pups on this site.

Bottom line is they sound very vintage like.

http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=5338