I would say that comparing P90s to PAFs like that might be problematic because the construction is so different...one being a true single coil, the other a double coil. Comparing singles to singles and humbuckers to humbuckers would be fine. If you could find an example of two pickups of similar design (both singles or both hummers) that had one pickup with higher inductance, but with the other pickup being louder and darker, your point would be more properly supported, IMO.

But rereading your post, let me back up a little...we are much closer to agreeing here anyway. If I'm correct you are saying you can't compare inductances of P90s and L49xs for precisely that reason, which I would heartily agree with (the 490 being a double coil).

Which reminds me...did we ever get a confirmation on the coil layout of the 490? Is it stacked, side by side, sidewinder, etc?