Robert, it seems this thread has gotten away from pickups and moved on to speakers, but I'd like to revisit the pickup part for just a moment.
My USA Peavey Reactor (Hartley's take on a tele) had thin sounding pickups. I wanted the sound of Albert Collins. To that end, I did some major surgery on my Reactor. The result was great!
I'm not suggesting that you route your body for a rhythm humbucker, but I am suggesting that you check out the pickup I used in the bridge position. That pickup, a TAPPED version of Seymour Duncan's Hot Tele Lead, is phenomenal! When running tapped, I get all the syrupy vintage tele twang that I can handle, but when I switch to the full-on it sings with a powerful twanging voice that definitely qualifies as Texas hot. I've found it to be quite versatile which is why I chose it in the first place.
Just a thought.
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass