Before the latest update - I would of said to do some of the quest just to raise your HP levels so as weapons came up higher and you needed the more HP to take on larger enemies it would be there...
Now - with the HP 'bump' - you can basically get away with not questing too much at all and still keep going... the only thing I would of done different is your pistol level - you'll need that Hex Shot at Level 12 for easier leveling with Voodoo Enemies to keep going with other weapons.
As for the 'dirty 30's' the Staff Levelling takes care of Levels 31-32-33, then the slow start to the Quest (plus the new side quests also giving REP - you don't have to complete them if you're worried about newer Weapons taking some of the REP away, just doing some of the side quests items gives more REP before you start into the Quest just around Level 34-35 range)
Guess that's how I see it today
