The phase formation and microstructure of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 1 0 + δ fibers are affected by the phase content and morphology of the starting precursor powders which modify reaction pathway and kinetics. A solid state precursor reaction process has been used to prepare (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O powders with varying phase composition. These powders were isostatically compacted and the resulting cylinders transformed into textured fibers using a laser floating zone melting apparatus. The results demonstrated that a Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 1 0 + δ precursor mixture containing Bi 2 Sr 2 CuO 6 and submicrometer-sized CaCuO 2 particles leads to textured fibers exhibiting high critical current density (J c ) values.