| Matched up with warm/gutsy sounding pickups, alder or poplar is AMAZING. Perfect for 7-strings too since it keeps the low end snappy and tight. My Parker Fly Deluxes had poplar bodies and basswood necks, the sound was unbelievable. As I've mentioned before, my Bernie Rico Jr Vixen customs have poplar wings as well, but I suspect the majority of the tone I'm getting is from the maple since it's a neck-thru guitar (and the ebony board). Most Seymour Duncan pickups are friendly to alder in my experiences. DiMarzios fair better in darker configurations. |