Hi,
I love a robust discussion !!!!! remember that The Ibanez Jems and JS series guitars are Basswood and look what Satch and Vai ( I know there are some Alder jems out there too) can produce from them. Herman Li as well now I come to think of it with his S series. My son has a tele copy made by Legacy, which is so light it might be veneer wrapped round cardboard, but for £40 it sounds amazing, and it doesn't even have a string through body. The fact is, getting back to the original point, the photo veneers look amazing, some of the flame is so deep you can dive into them, and you guitar guys know it is all in the finger right? If the axe feels right to you and plays for you, what the hell.
j
Still not a guitar player but you should see my anorack.