Is'nt the AP2 and 59 the same wind but one uses a A2 mag and one using an A5 mag ?
I wonder which SD pickup is a middle ground between a JB and a 59, probably the 59/custom Hybrid?
I like both the JB and 59 in the bridge, but i feel the JB is a bit too hot and not defined enough and the 59 needs a little more kick and mids
I'd give a thought to the DiMarzio Imperium. Far from hot and compressed and quite a dose of mids.
I don't know what that means, but the Pegasus isn't especially compressed sounding or feeling. Not as much as a Custom or JB. It It also has more bass and treble than mids to me, although the lows are certainly in the modern category.
YouTube compresses the hell out of videos and most recordings are done with cell phones or cheap computer mics. Gotta take it for what it's worth. The only way to know for sure is to try it.
i'm checking out all brands, but i haven't heard a dimarzio that i liked personally.
"modern" would be a good way to describe it, it sounds like the opposite of loose to me, a bit too tight, like the low end is really choked, i think i'm going to take my chances with the 59/custom, it seems to be universally loved and it should be fine on paper, although the youtube videos haven't really convinced me 100% but it's probably the closest to what i have in mind, the only pickup i'm 100% sure would be perfect is the GG signature bridge but that's not for sale unless you get lucky on the used market.
Let us know how this project turns out. I am a big Hybrid fan, too.
Check the Distortion neck god damn it. It doesn't have the problems that you are mentioning from the Pegasus or hybrid. I don't like that tight choked feel either. I haven't tried any of the metal pickups, but I tried the Benedetto and it was like that and I couldn't get it out of my guitar fast enough. I think I would like the hybrid, but you say you want some mid grind and the DDn has that.