Re: Pickup height help
You'd be surprised, actually. Many people still do adjust high output pickups to match the output level of the originals, effectively negating the higher output.
However, you'd still get the new pickup's tonal curve, so it's not a total WTF.
Another point to consider is that higher output pickups (by their nature) have a greater string pull, which can make notes and chords seem to be out of intonation. This is mostly a problem with Major/Open chords, however, as well as runs along the lower frets. For 3-note Power Chords and upper-fret solos, it's not so much an issue.
High output pickups may also produce feedback sooner, so there's another point to consider.