that's surprising. The pickups on the wild horse site were up around $200-290 mark. We've just gone down to one income (wife's maternity pay has run out) and our rent has gone up, so funds are tight!

I think my plan of attack is going to be:

1) see how the tele sounds through my laney amp. If I'm happy at this point, I'll stay at this point until I am no longer satisfied.
2) If I'm not happy with the sound, compare my tele through the Laney with playing it through either/or an Epiphone Valve Junior or a Fender Super Champ XD. If I like either of those better, sell my Laney and replace with whichever tube amp sounds better. The Epiphone is about AU$300 and the Fender is about AU$650ish.
3) If after playing through the Laney at home, the Epiphone and Fender at the shop and I'm still not happy with any of those, start exploring different pickup options.

Interestingly, I cracked out my old Boss DS-1 tonight, and was pleasantly surprised with it's sound. Who needs a T-Rex Alberta!?!?