Swamp Ash has always been a favorite but yo might also consider mahogany. I just finished a Les Paul build that uses a mahogany body and a one-piece mahogany (quarter sawn) neck and it is LOUD with tons of sustain and a very full tone. I see that Stewart-MacDonald is offering mahogany Strat bodies, along with swamp ash and alder.
Something to think about anyway.

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Tom Hintz, owner
Geezerguitar.com
NewWoodworker.com
NewMetalworker.com

You can see how good my Ash Strat sounds.



....Mark.

I have two MIA Alder Strats and one custom Ash body Strat. For me, the Ash has the better tone. There are some major differences which add to the tonal differences. The Ash body is heavier than the my Alder Strats by a pound and a half. 6 point trem. Maple neck with Ebony Fretboard. Pickups are Fender Alnico from the same era as the MIA's.

I could easily give up my two Alder Strats but not my Ash bodied Strat. When you play it the whole thing vibrates in your hands.

I've owned Ash and Alder bodies... both very nice, a few years back I returned an Ash strat back to the dealer because it sounded too shrilly... YMMV... Currently I have a maple neck on Alder with Dimazrio Area 58-67-61 .. nice combination ...

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