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What will improve my tone most, new pups or a new speaker in my amp? I know there are more variables than I can list that could affect the answer, but here's some info that will help anyone willing to help me out here.

Equipment:
1993 Gibson LP Standard
490R neck pup
498T bridge pup
Crate VFX5112 tube amp ( 50W 1x12 combo w/ 4 12AX7 amp; 2 EL34 tubes)
Fulltone '69 fuzz pedal

I play mostly blues/rock styles, and I was thinking of swapping my stock pups with a Pearly Gates neck and a Custom Custom bridge. I don't know much about speakers, but it seems that they make a huge difference in your overall tone. I had a Celestion Vintage 30 or G12 Century Vintage in mind. Any thoughts?

I'd say speakers. Pickups sound differences are often subtle, especially if you don't have the best speakers.

That's kind of what I was beginning to think. You get the most bang for your buck with a good speaker swap.

I'd say speaker too. Depends what speaker you've got in there now of course. But a great speaker like the Celestion Vintage 30 or G12H30 will usually improve the volume, the bass and the clean headroom of most amps compared to most inexpensive stock speakers. Most amps have fairly inexpensive speakers that are nothing special. The Vintage 30 is one of my favorite speakers but the G12H30 does have a little smoother and deeper tone with more mids. It's my VERY favorite...but the V30 is great too. Lew

Eventually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get that great sounding CC/PG set, then recoup half the cost by selling off the 498T/490. Save your stock speaker, so if you ever sell the amp, you can save your Celestion for the next amp.


Originally Posted by StevoI'd say speakers. Pickups sound differences are often subtle, especially if you don't have the best speakers.

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I had a Crate V32 Palomino .......... Without a doubt G12H30! Go to Avatar on th web and get thier Hellatone broken in, aged version, it sounds great out of the box! Also, I changed the tubes to JJ's, what a super combo!

The Vintage 30 is one of my favorite speakers but the G12H30 does have a little smoother and deeper tone with more mids. It's my VERY favorite...but the V30 is great too. Lew

Since my amp is a 1x12 50W, wouldn't that prevent me from using a speaker rated for less than 50W, like the G12H? That's why I was leaning toward the V30 or G12 Century Vintage, both are 60W.

I'd replace both. Speaker first if there is a money issue.


Originally Posted by Big BlueSince my amp is a 1x12 50W, wouldn't that prevent me from using a speaker rated for less than 50W, like the G12H? That's why I was leaning toward the V30 or G12 Century Vintage, both are 60W.

My experience with the V30 in a 50 watt amp is that it holds up just fine. I've never blown one. I have one in a handbuilt 1 x12quot; 50 watt amp my brother Bruce and I designed called the Mission Crusader...it's kind of like a single channel cross between a Super Reverb and a Marshall Plexi or Tweed Bassman. Has the Marshall Plexi/Tweed Bassman tone stack. I have not tried the G12H30 in that amp...you're right: it is rated at 30 watts. I think it will handle a little more than that but you'd probably be safer with the Vintage 30. Lew