Bridge Pickup on a Strat

I had been wondering why the bridge pickup on the Fender Strat is always set at an angle. I understand about post positioning, but not why they didn't make a shorter pickup. Then I realized it must be to change the tone of the lower strings. Is this assumption correct?

On a related note, the humbucker on the 'Fat Strat' is not at an angle. Is this because the opposing humbucker pickups need to be exactly parallel?

Yes, i think you're right.
I believe the angle is to give the bass string more bass and I would assume that on the 'fat strat' pickups that they already have more 'pickup' and may not need the angle.

Thanks, Neal. Nice lead on the Alphaville tune btw. :)

I'm slowly growing toward a goal of a build I want to do myself. These dumb questions are all part of it.

Hey Razbo, thanks! ..I didn't know if anyone was listening to it or not. It's got a bunch of plays but no one ever says anything. :)