It's entirely subjective, so I'm almost reluctant to offer yet another perspective. But I've played dozens of strats over my 40 years playing. I've gone off them, and back for all the reasons others have cited. I now have an American Fatstrat, plus a Gison ES339, PRS CE-24 and Baha Tele. Love'em all, but for gigging,a when I don't have room or hangars for more than a couple, the Strat is always #1 as it's just a bit more versatile. You definitely have to get comfortable with pickup changing on the fly, using theS1 system and making lots of tone knob adjustments. But when I do, it remains a fantastic guitar that can fatten up nicely, though not to LP proportions, while also offering shimmery and out of phase options.
helliott in Hamilton
Guitars -- 2 PRS CE 24s 85/15 pups, PRS semi-hollow CE 22, Fender Baja Telecaster; Gibson Les Paul Standard; 80s Strat updated with custom 69 pups, Anniversary Strat with Fat 50s, Epiphone Sheraton re-issue; Yamaha 5-string bass; Yamaha TBS 6 and 12 string acoustics,Takamine acoustic, Fender nylon string acoustic
Amps -- Mesa Boogie Lone Star; Boss Katana 100, Peavey Blueamaster 2x10, Line 6 Helix
Pedals etc: Mosfet Full Drive 2; Ibanez Tube Screamer; Fairfield Barbershop OD, Diamond Compressor; Voodo Sparkledrive, Boss Digital Delay DD7; Boss TU2 Chromatic Tuner; Cry Baby wah