As for your fender comment you must of had a really bottom of the line fender. Anything from mex series and up are great. Especially the made in america strats they are amazing. You know Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Malmsteen all play them?

Anyway battery powered pickups? Yeah the EMG's I told you to get are battery powered or "live" pickups and rule. The pickups I have now are not and still rule. You need to try out a "real" fender not whatever you tried out that gave you the misconception that fender is anything but amazing quality.

Hey Fendermonkey77 how did you like your tele you sold?

I am going to get a les paul next but have nothing bad to say about fender.

Good luck