SC1's vs VA5's

[curtisjames]

anyone..can you try and explain if possible the difference between the two for an Anderson classic?

[dannopelli]

anyone..can you try and explain if possible the difference between the two for an Anderson classic?

I have both in two different Classics.

The VA5's sound to me nearly identical to Fender Custom Shop 60's, the kind that come in Fender Custom Shop 60's Time Machine guitars. Really meaty and sparkly.

The SC1's sound very similar, but without some of the high end sizzle and sparkle. You can dial some in with the presence and treble, but that Fender "glassiness" will be missing. That said, they really are quiet. It is more than worth the trade off.

In a gig or recording situation you won't notice. In fact, you won't notice unless you do a side by side.

[mdrs]

The VA5's in my Classic were about as close to a real '60's Strat tone as I've heard.

And, of course, it played like an Anderson.

A difficult combination to surpass.

[curtisjames]

I have both in two different Classics.

The VA5's sound to me nearly identical to Fender Custom Shop 60's, the kind that come in Fender Custom Shop 60's Time Machine guitars. Really meaty and sparkly.

The SC1's sound very similar, but without some of the high end sizzle and sparkle. You can dial some in with the presence and treble, but that Fender "glassiness" will be missing. That said, they really are quiet. It is more than worth the trade off.

In a gig or recording situation you won't notice. In fact, you won't notice unless you do a side by side.
So...you prefer the sc's then?

[John Price]

I've had the VA5's as well as the VA7's and found both sets to be fantastic pickups. I find the SF pickups to be a bit tighter in feel than traditional single coils but have great musical presence to them. I just recently picked up a classic with the SC1's in the neck and middle with a HC3 in the bridge and WOW! These pickups are exceptional. I think they capture the single coil vibe perfectly for what I want from them. I'm pretty picky as far as capturing the response and feel of a true single coil pickup and always missed that with any stacked single coil pickup until I tried the SC1's. I'm Very impressed with the tone and feel. Plus no hum....

[pipedwho]

I love the SFs in my Drop Top, but like every other hum-cancelling single I've tried, they are missing that top end sparkle and chime that is the domain of the VAs. The SF/SCs don't in any way sound 'dead', they are still lively and have 'presence'. The top end is just a little more compressed and controlled than the hairy out-of-control feel you get from the VAs.

It's not something that you'd notice when playing live. But, if you love slouching on your studio couch with your eyes closed, basking in the sensual glory and organic tone of a great single coil (like the VA5/7), then any hum-cancelling single coil is likely to disappoint.

Of course, for most of the venues I play in, I need hum-cancelling or I get whacky feedback from hearing aid induction loops and/or nasty hum. For this, the SFs in my Drop Top are fine sounding pickups. Once things are in full swing, I'm more worried about what my fingers are doing and that I'm not too loud/soft compared to the surrounding cacophony.

[curtisjames]

I love the SFs in my Drop Top, but like every other hum-cancelling single I've tried, they are missing that top end sparkle and chime that is the domain of the VAs. The SF/SCs don't in any way sound 'dead', they are still lively and have 'presence'. The top end is just a little more compressed and controlled than the hairy out-of-control feel you get from the VAs.

It's not something that you'd notice when playing live. But, if you love slouching on your studio couch with your eyes closed, basking in the sensual glory and organic tone of a great single coil (like the VA5/7), then any hum-cancelling single coil is likely to disappoint.

Of course, for most of the venues I play in, I need hum-cancelling or I get whacky feedback from hearing aid induction loops and/or nasty hum. For this, the SFs in my Drop Top are fine sounding pickups. Once things are in full swing, I'm more worried about what my fingers are doing and that I'm not too loud/soft compared to the surrounding cacophony.

So stinking true. my hands are the only gear I can't sell or I would have years ago. The other nite, the club was so hot, I actually got serious muscle cramps and my fingers in my left hand started locking up. Try bending the wire with the pads from your middle knuckle.

[pipedwho]

So stinking true. my hands are the only gear I can't sell or I would have years ago. The other nite, the club was so hot, I actually got serious muscle cramps and my fingers in my left hand started locking up. Try bending the wire with the pads from your middle knuckle.
Ouch! I've never had that, but last night it was so cold and my hands so numb that by the time my fingers could be wrangled to the fret/string, the opportunity for playing the note had passed. ;)

[dannopelli]

So...you prefer the sc's then?


I love the SFs in my Drop Top, but like every other hum-cancelling single I've tried, they are missing that top end sparkle and chime that is the domain of the VAs. The SF/SCs don't in any way sound 'dead', they are still lively and have 'presence'. The top end is just a little more compressed and controlled than the hairy out-of-control feel you get from the VAs.

It's not something that you'd notice when playing live. But, if you love slouching on your studio couch with your eyes closed, basking in the sensual glory and organic tone of a great single coil (like the VA5/7), then any hum-cancelling single coil is likely to disappoint.

Of course, for most of the venues I play in, I need hum-cancelling or I get whacky feedback from hearing aid induction loops and/or nasty hum. For this, the SFs in my Drop Top are fine sounding pickups. Once things are in full swing, I'm more worried about what my fingers are doing and that I'm not too loud/soft compared to the surrounding cacophony.

I don't "prefer" one over the other. I like them both. But if you want true single coil goodness, then yes, what Piped said holds true.

But since I have two similar guitars with different PUPS, I get the best of both worlds!