I've posted and discussed this topic before. To hit the high points:
1. everybody has preferences based on style and personal taste
2. Gibson made a bunch of buckers that do pretty well for most people for most styles
3. I'm never giving up my 480 neck pup in my 79' Paul. And that was a fairly crappy year in the land of Gibson!
I've seen people here in the forum who like 500T's and some people who have went from JB's back to 490/98's in SG's often, for some reason. Some people like Invaders for metal, some Distortions and some Pearly Gates. They all work. And some like 500T's. It's a strange thing between the guitar, the amp, the style and the player. I've played Gibsons with stock pups that were great. But if I were trying to overdrive an old Marshall, I'd need something hotter. Or, if I were a Jazzer, something fatter.
I think the best thing is to figure out what it is you need more of in terms of bass/mid/treble/presence, and output, and then figure out why you aren't getting it. For example, those all Mahogony Pauls are gonna sound dark no matter what. A really trebly pickup would likely just sound shrill, but still dark (yuk!). A Custom, on the other hand, is a fairly bright creature with the maple cap and ebony board. As for Hot enough, most amps today can melt your face off with a single coil. You don't need a flaming hot pup to scorch. See some postings on the Dimebucker and Screamin' Demon.
If I pulled a random Duncan out of a hat and dropped it in your Paul, you might think that sucked too, if it wasn't what you are into. And Duncan makes a lot of pups! Gibson makes only a few. And I hear a lot of good things about the burstbuckers out here. And the Dirty Fingers seems to be a fave of many people - and is again available.
So, In Conclusion: There is not only a better pup out there somewhere that is your kabala/holy grail-of-all-that-is-tone, but there is probably a better axe too. And that same pup/guitar combo is someone the ultimate turd-tone humsucker and plank-o-crapcaster.
