Strat p.ups are definitely hotter than mustang p.ups....the lowest output fender p.up AFAIK.
I hate ALL fender guitars stock, they all require modifications of all the electronics (and the bridges on the Jag,Mustang)to be playable to me. That said, the exception is if I'm playing clean, which is rarely. then a stock jaguar will suffice.
I'm a hardcore humbucker fan, they just sound better with any kind of heavy saturated distortion. Plus, I hate the noise of single coils.
Gibson leads in pickups IMO and they also lead in heavy rock/punk guitars.
Fenders can be made to sound good obviously and that is what I've done to all mine, gutted them, rewired them, and put high output humbuckers in them.
About the only fender I'm impressed with in stock condition is the BT (black top) Jaguars...they have HB's, are hardtail (which contributes to a better sound for heavy music) and have a 9.5 fretboard radius.And, anyone can afford one!
If I wasn't saving for a Gibson, or two, I would go out and buy two BT Jags today.They really are a big improvement over the AVRI jag if you play anything heavy and saturated.
Made in mexico....who gives a #### where a guitar is made so long is sounds/feels good!
So, my alltime favorite Fender would be my modified Jaguar or Mustang.
If the guitar had to be stock, I'll take a Toranado or BT Jaguar.
