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Hatsubai « Modern sounding single »
Published on 05/18/11 at 14:44The Tom Anderson VA1 is part of the VA series that Anderson offers. It is a pickup aimed at the more modern vintage single coil crowd instead of the super vintage crowd. There are different models available, but the VA1 is probably the most recognized model he offers. It features extra large pole pieces which help give this pickup a unique look and tone.
The Anderson VA1 is a pickup that’s fairly bright sounding. To me, I find that it works best in the neck position than the bridge. Some like the extra brightness in the bridge, but I find it gets a bit too harsh sounding. It has a good output, but it’s not super hot like certain other single coils out there. It’s still very much a classic sounding output when compared to the hotter ones Tom offers.
I tried this pickup in the neck (VA1R) and middle, and they seem to suit these positions best. The pickup has a great vowely sounding character, but it’s not overly woody to the point where you can only play classic blues sounding riffs. It’s clear and precise enough to do super fast solo runs without muddying up like certain singles can do. It combines nicely with both another single and a humbucker to deliver that great in between “quack” sound that Jimi Hendrix helped make famous.
I find that it works best in neutral sounding woods like alder or basswood. To me, these really help make the VA1 shine and give it its true character. Woods like swamp ash and mahogany either mask the characteristics of the VA1 or make it a bit too overly hyped in certain frequencies.
If you’re looking for a more modern sounding single coil that still retains those classic overtones, check out this for the neck or middle position. It should work out perfectly for you.
The Anderson VA1 is a pickup that’s fairly bright sounding. To me, I find that it works best in the neck position than the bridge. Some like the extra brightness in the bridge, but I find it gets a bit too harsh sounding. It has a good output, but it’s not super hot like certain other single coils out there. It’s still very much a classic sounding output when compared to the hotter ones Tom offers.
I tried this pickup in the neck (VA1R) and middle, and they seem to suit these positions best. The pickup has a great vowely sounding character, but it’s not overly woody to the point where you can only play classic blues sounding riffs. It’s clear and precise enough to do super fast solo runs without muddying up like certain singles can do. It combines nicely with both another single and a humbucker to deliver that great in between “quack” sound that Jimi Hendrix helped make famous.
I find that it works best in neutral sounding woods like alder or basswood. To me, these really help make the VA1 shine and give it its true character. Woods like swamp ash and mahogany either mask the characteristics of the VA1 or make it a bit too overly hyped in certain frequencies.
If you’re looking for a more modern sounding single coil that still retains those classic overtones, check out this for the neck or middle position. It should work out perfectly for you.