Basswood as a Stratwood

[Sam SG]

So what is everyone's thoughts on Basswood bodied strats( mij main wood).
I have had many strats through the years. Squiers MIA MIJ MIC MIK etc etc few 70s strats etc.
I always seem to get on most with Alder. My 2 most" wanna kick myself for selling" strats were Alder. A 2004 American Standard and a 74' usa neck on an Alder oly white body with 69 custom shop pups.
Anyhow I've been toying around with this HRR 50 strat of mine with the floyd and I'm noticing it's dull not horrible but dull. Kinda too warm and not snappy enough unplugged. Think maybe befor I play with pickups maybe I'll just send it and get another. Reminds me of an E series strat I sold a few years ago.

So what's the general concensus on Basswood as a Stratwood.
Sounds same to you?
Sucks?
You prefer it?
Sounds good in certain scenarios?
Who cares stop asking stupid questions on a pickup forum?

 

[Mincer]

Its soft, so it dents easy. It is also kinda ugly, so it is used mostly for solid color finishes. But other than that, it should work fine as a guitar wood- Ibanez uses it all the time. Sound-wise, it has less lows than something like mahogany, but is also more plentiful than swamp ash.

 

[ICTGoober]

And yet Ibanez has made multi-thousands of RG's out of basswood. It's not much to look at, but it carves nicely, and the tone is bright and meaty. I see no problem at all with it.

 

[Chistopher]

Basswood is great so long you don't tell anyone

 

[beaubrummels]

My experience is they are brighter than typical Strats. Not a bad thing, but different. Really good for 80's metal, e.g. tapping and tight muted chords.

 

[Juanhanglo]

I like basswood. I'd build with it.

Alder and mahogany are the others I use.

I have 2 basswood guitars currently. They arent any more beat up and dented than my other guitars.

One has a light low end and a nice upper mid push. Its super light.
the other is about 1 lb heavier, and has a much bigger, solid low end. Super balanced sounding.