In 1975 (ish?) I bought an Ibanez Artist second hand, and, as was customary back then, promptly had the Flying Finger PUPs removed and Super Distortions installed. IIRC, the "signal chain" was guitar -> distortion pedal -> amp with master vol set to mush. It sounded like a huge out of tune mosquito dying a slow death. Since I had long hair and wore hard rock tee shirts, I was fairly certain I was not the part of the tone problem (my idols had long hair and hard rock tee shirts too). Darn DiMarzios!
Slow forward to 3 years ago, and I bought a parts Tele that sounded terrific. It (or course) had a Pre B1 in the bridge. Hmmm, I thought, this must be the only good PUP they make. And then I got a 36th Anniversary in trade...so, it appeared they now make 2 good models. And then of set of Airs...and then...
...apparently I was the problem all along.
I'm back.