I have an American Strat and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and was wondering if upgrading my pickups might be a good idea. Is this a common thing to do? I am somewhat new to the mechanics of an electric guitar. Sometimes the Strat sounds wimpy like there is a problem with it. Is it possible there is something wrong with the pickups?

Can anyone tell me what I might find with different types of pickups?

I am a big fan of Buddy Guy. I love how he can weave in and out of the distorted tone, one second playing sweet and clean and the other screaming distorted.

I understand the volume knob on the Strat plays into this. Can you explain?