My advice would be to get it set up right the way you want it first, especially string height & pickup height & string gauge, way before you go changing any parts. You may well find that it really is fine for playing everything that you want to play, inc. Shads music. Changing pickups etc. may not make that much difference to the sound, if you have a decent amp, with a decent speaker, & the right echoes. The Classic series Strats are a really good buy for what you pay, & are the value route to a great '50s/'60s vintage sound.
Tony.