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What wood is good for solid body electric guitars? I am mainly concerned with sustain. I am planning on having some sort of veneer for the top so I don't really care what the wood looks like as long as it's got lots of sustain and is affordable.


Thanks,

Sean

What tony said is great advice. the joinery needs to be secure. If your joinery is clean and tight you will be fine. I personally like the bolt on for electrics.

Don't kid yourself Tony, all the sustain in that guitar comes from the Derringer hidden in the back...

Leo used Swamp Ash for most early Strats and Telecasters and the majority of the folks who re-create those guitars either use Swamp Ash or Alder.
Bodies and blanks of Basswood and "Other" woods and neck combinations are available but if you search it out you'll find the wood of choice for a Strat or Tele is Swamp Ash (#1) or Alder (#2) in the 3.8 -5 LB range with maple/maple neck for sustain and "That" sound.
More and more Telecasters and SOME Strat are being made with Mahogany bodies and necks using humbuckers, the sound is what one would expect.
Even EIRW is being used for bodies coupled with Maple & RW necks to produce some really great guitars.
To get a feel of the most "Asked for" and used combinations, visit the Warmoth and USA Custom Guitar sites and browse through their "Body Showcases" There's a lot of information there.

http://www.warmoth.com/
http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

Ray

if you want that "vintage" strat sound, go with alder (w/an opaque finish) or ash (w/a clear, see-thru finish). alder is a little denser/heavier than ash, which affects tone and sustain.

only the cheaper guitar bodies are made from basswood, poplar and the like.

+1 on USACustom guitars. i've bought several of their "web specials" (bodies and necks). it's high quality stuff for a great price. even Bill Nash builds w/their bodies and necks (but don't tell anyone i told you...
Regards.
Pete

Then on the other hand, there ARE those who say it just doesn't matter much, it's possible to get a good sound no matter what you use if you strike the right combination...
Here's a case in point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyQXy74xz4

#:O)8>
(Smile...it's a SMILE ye be needin' here!!)

My Strat is Alder and my Tele is Ash. Both partscasters. I like to build things!

Tim