TONE-QUEST:Lowest-Output Strat PUPs?

I've been in the market for a set of replacement PUPs for my Strat for quite a while, but I can't seem to find exactly what I've been looking for.

I spend at least half of my time playing finger-style, which means that dynamic response is crucial. I usually roll the volume and the tone knobs back to three for clean playing, which seems to be the sweet-spot on these factory pickups now in place. The main issue is that my current pick-ups seem really hot. This guitar is a Hot Rod '62 Strat, and according to the Fender website, the PUPs are "American Vintage Strat" style, whatever that means. I haven't been able to dig up any additional specs.

I'm looking for the lightest, lowest output pickups I can find. I want a rounder, darker, fatter, sound with more mid-range, while also retaining the characteristics of a single-coil guitar when rolling the volume up to 10 to break up my tube amps.

I do play a lot of jazz on the neck pickup, but I'm also enamored with the sound I get playing finger-style in the second (neck/middle) position. I love the ethereal, airy sound that Ted Greene used to get from his Telecasters(Jeff Buckley too). This almost sounds like a harp to my ears, and I've been obsessed with trying to channel this sound in my own playing. But, I should make note of the fact that I also love Buddy Guy and Hendrixian blues noodling, and I spend time breaking up tube amps as much as the next guy.

Am I delusional for thinking that I can get dark, harp-like, shimmering clean tones (that don't bite) through the same pickups that will allow me roll the volume up and break up my favorite tube-amps to achieve creamier, fatter distortion than you usually hear with modern Strats? I do like the "quacky" attack sound you get in the the out-of-phase positions, but I'm not very fond of the brittle, harsh, over-trebled distortion that comes out of middle and bridge pick-ups that are too hot.

When it comes to distortion, I adhere to the "let the amp do the work" philosophy (no pedals). Consequently, I tend to gravitate toward quieter pickups, which facilitate higher amp volumes :)

Any recommendations for the lowest-output single coil pickups with the most mids will be highly appreciated. I've been looking mainly at Bill Lawrence lately.

Low output pickups are usually called "vintage style" pickups. 50's style pickups were the weakest. The 50's sound a bit bright though and not as fat as 60's style pickups. If I were you I would either try 60's style pickups... or you could put a 50's middle pu in the bridge
position, a neck in the mid position etc...

Set the pups you have now down low and see how that sounds. You might also look for a set using Alnico II magnets and low winds. Between pickup height and your amp settings, you should be able to dial a sound that meets your needs without swapping the pickups. I would certainly experiment with that first.

I agree with the previous.. lower approx 1/8" at a time until you find your "happy" place
those are great pickups and are very user friendly : )

I'm looking for the lightest, lowest output pickups I can find. I want a rounder, darker, fatter, sound with more mid-range, while also retaining the characteristics of a single-coil guitar when rolling the volume up to 10 to break up my tube amps.

First off, 50's style pickups will have more mids as they usually have more winds than 60's style pickups. Mid-Late 60's pickups also had a change in polepiece size. The lowest wind ones I've seen are in my '65: all around 5k.

Try CS69's. I think they'll float yer boat.

I agree with the previous.. lower approx 1/8" at a time until you find your "happy" place
those are great pickups and are very user friendly : )

Agreed. Start by lowering your pickups and see where that gets you. If that doesn't work, then start looking at underwound Alnico II Strat pickups. But I suspect the stockers will get the job done.

Agree with the above and Alnico II's. I have a set of Seymour Duncan's Alnico II's in a guitar for a few years but now it's to the point were I think they're too warm.

http://wildepickups.com/

Look at Bill Lawrence's Microcoil pickups for your Strat! (scroll down the page to see some details--though not many)

I have a set of ultra-low pickups made by Pete at VintageVibe. The bridge pickup is 3.63 ohms, that's low. I had Pete wind me a matching bridge humbucker, so that's how I use them. Very picking-attack sensitive. Anything else, talk to Pete and he will customize them for you. Really good, and he's as reasonable (and really fast) as they come.