NBD: New(ish) member with questions

When you get the chance post a closeup pic of the headstock.
I'll let someone else answer the Duncan pickup question.
One thing though, you might want to experiment with different types of foam under the strings by the bridge to help get the sound you want.

 

I tried three or four different types.
Some people use a/c window insulation, a regular sponge, etc. You might be surprised what you find around the house.
Fender makes them, too...$10 or less and there's a nice one I found on ebay called The Mufler for $12.50.

 

Regarding the string problem, you may need new strings. It sounds like you cut the current ones too short. You want to have a few wraps around the tuner post to push the string down onto the nut, if that makes sense.

 

Your wraps are going up the post. You want them to go down successively.

 

You should be able to salvage those strings though, so that's good news

 

I never put strings on until recently. I found plenty of online sites showing how to do it...some with pics.
Another important thing with flatwounds is...bend then cut, not cut and bend.

 

Before you spend money on the pup, try messing around with some foam. I use a/c insulation foam, and cut different sizes until I found the right amount of deadening.

 

17 and you're married?
That winding the strings top of the post down is important, the string "break" at the nut is a big part of your intonation!
Check out the Kent Armstrong pickups, this dude has been hand winding pups since he was a kid and his dad was Dan Armstrong, the man behind many great pups. Also if you're looking to drop some dough Curtis Novak is a killer pickup builder as well. You can also hop on eBay and try your hand at winning some legitimate 60's-70's vintage ones.
You can do some fun stuff too, take it to get it set up, send it out to get it PLEK'd, buy new pickguards, change the tone capacitor value, buy a new neck, get a racing stripe painted on it, sand the back of the neck for comfort. The world is your oyster sir.

 

This is what I use and it works well.

 

Firstly, welcome.

did the re-string work? Coz I was worried you may have put heavier guage strings on, as the E string is sitting pretty high on the nut, it may just be coz of the wrong windings on the post.

I just ordered The Mufler today, now I wait for it to cross the Pacific........

 

Yes, definitely wrap your strings downwards - this will give you much better tension.

As well as the other excellent suggestions here, have a think about where your plucking hand is actually playing. You can get an excellent Double Bass sound from playing more over the end of the fingerboard where there is much less string tension. I'll try and attach a pic showing how i wind the strings from top to bottom of the peg ...

 

You probably don't need to spend that kind of money. I've gotten good results using socks, underpants and foam from an old mattress