What should be I replace first, my amp or pickups?

[earthmud]

I'm tonally frustrated with my current set up. It's just not what I hear in my head. My amp is a traynor ycv40wr (vintage 30 and JJ's high gain tubes) and my main guitar is a strat ultra http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page4.html with the stock laces, blue neck, gold middle, and red dually in the bridge. I play mostly rock( no metal) and blues. All opinions and input is welcome.

[cyb3rvampire]

Hmm, what sound are you going for? More specifics.

(Join the club)

[earthmud]

Originally Posted by cyb3rvampire

Hmm, what sound are you going for? More specifics.

(Join the club)

Something fat. In the vein of Warren haynes or Marc ford. I like to use a lot of overdrive. The pickups sound to thin or maybe the amp is just not fat enough. I've thought about replacing the speaker also.

[aarockla]

i think amp. pickups are hard to change, they may be cheaper to change, but first you have to pick them out, get them changed and if you don't like you have to keep doing that.

What I'd do, to really figure it out, is take your guitar to a music shop, one you like in your area with a good selection of amps, not even one you specifically want, and just plug your gutiar in from amp to amp. If you see any improvement keep going, research a few of the amps, check out ones you really want. If it still not working out then try changing out the pickups.

[XKnight]

I'd try a different speaker and different tubes.

[Janglin_Jack]

Warren Uses a Les Paul and a Soldano, (and Marshalls). I think to get those tones, you need to sell both. If you have some pedals you like, then you can get humbuckers and get a thicker sound, but a Strat with Humbuckers won't sound like a Les Paul.

Jack

[Benlevy]

Borrow a Les Paul or some mahogany humbucker type guitar. Maybe the Strat vibe is not for you afterall. Or maybe try an OCD. The v3 is the only one I've played, and it's plenty fat....

[orogeny]

Marc Ford and Warren = Humbuckers

Try a really cheap epiphone for starters. My brother is hooked on his $200 LP100.

Bring your amp to the music store and plug in diff guitars maybe.

[Plexihead]

I agree with what others said, you're wanting Humbucker tone out of a Strat, that's tough to come by. If you know anyone with a Les Paul ask if you could bring your amp over and try out his guitar through it, or at least see if he'd be willing to play his guitar through your amp.

[jgnov99]

There is a nice selection of single coil sized humbuckers out there. That would be worth consideration if you really enjoy the feel of your Strat. My experience with Lace sensors is mostly negative compared to standard style pickups. There are also some fine overwound single coil pups too. If you really like the FEEL of a Strat then find a pickup that you like.
There is also a HUGE selection of boost, overdrive and distortion devices to be had. Many roads to enhance the tone.
I also recommend pickup change as a cheaper alternative to buying a new amp, although you very well may end up wanting to replace the whole rig. It's a sickness you know......

[Fixxxer]

Amp

[Lolaviola]

I pick...pedal. (This is the gear page, remember?)

You have a decent guitar and the dually is a humbucker, right?

I think there is a lot more difference in the feel of a gibson than just the pickup's sound.

If you are comfortable on that guitar, improve your tone with a simple pedal. The amp you have is loud enough and sturdy enough to take a good distortion box.

The Fender is very flexible, should be able to cover a LOT of ground w/ that, not to mention be able to play on stage w/out hum!

Now ask me what pedal? How about a Rat? sustain and NOT like the overdrive on the amp...

[xroads]

You guys are really helping; every response gives different advice. I like that (just kidding, of course).

[Waltmon]

I’ve never had an amp that I “hated” but, I bought a brand new CS Strat with a set of Vintage Noiseless pups in it and man, it sounded like #$@$%%. Even my guitar tech could not believe the poor tone of those things. I have since put in a set of Suhr FL pups, and it’s the best sounding Strat I’ve ever owned. I think the Clapton Strat uses the same pups that I had, but I also think the Clapton has some sort of mid boost circuit or something like that. Maybe if my guitar had had the Clapton wiring it would have sounded better. Maybe that could be an option for you as well. Wire it up like the Clapton Strat and keep your Lace pups. That would be the least expensive route to start with. The Buddy Guy Strat uses Lace pups with a mid boost as well. Maybe you could try that one. Again, a much cheaper way to start with rather that buying a set of new pups, or getting a different amp.
Good Luck!!!!

[Paul Conway]

I have the regular ycv40, and I think it's the amp causing the problems here. The shallow, open back cab doesn't lend itself to thick, punchy rock tones.