Still isn't in yet.
Now they tell me that it should be in my hot little hands by the end of the month.

In order to apologize for all the trouble, Fender are going to upgrade the pickups.
While a friend whom I trust has suggested that I install some Fralins, I am limited to what is offered by Fender, itself. Still, not bad.
I think that I'm going with either the Vintage Noiseless:
http://www.fender.com/accessories/picku ... -set-of-2/
or
Or the Custom Shop Nocasters:
http://www.fender.com/accessories/picku ... -set-of-2/
Leaning toward the Noiseless.