I was a bit disappointed with the factory setup, but honestly, what can I expect for $300? Like I said, I intended to do some of these things myself so it is fine. I jumped on the SDOTD because I wanted a tele style guitar and have figured out there are actually guitars not branded Fender that are quite good without having to pay up for the name! I saw lots of reviews and demos of various ASATs determined and wanted one with traditional tele pickups, something I could play for a while and be a platform to modify/upgrade when I want.
Right away I did not like the stock controls. The tone pot had a grinding feel and wasn't very responsive, it very quickly went from clear to muffled without much in between. I put in the 4-way switch with upgraded volume and tone pots and it sounds much better. I had been thinking of new pickups but now it is so much better I won't get into that for a long time. Those stock alnico pickups sound just fine.
The pic in my profile is the 2021 ASAT with the pickguard off from doing the electronic work. Actually I like it that way for now. I'm thinking about making a new pickguard from a license plate just for fun. The sibling guitars in the photo are a 1972 Les Paul Custom and 1997 Strat American Standard. I'm definitely set for guitars. Except I probably need a semi-hollow body of some type
. My daughter asked how many guitars I need and I said the answer is just one more than whatever I have.