I think that Fenders cost WAY to much, just like gibsons. Try alternative brands (Ibanez, or in your case, Grass Roots, who have made Metallica's guitar for some time). It used to be true that they were low quality copies, but they now have a personallity on their own...
PS: To anyone who will try to rip my heart out, I have never said that Fender and Gibsons were better or worse than other brands. I just said they cost too much...