Why does the body need to be wood? Why not graphite or acoustic foam filled polycarbonate? Alder, Ash, Mahogany, Walnut are all viable for graphite necked instruments in my opinion, but this is not an exclusive list.
The wet dream of bass amps, lovely...... just lovely. I have had the pleasure of using the dove cage pre version..... one of the best preamps I ever tried.
Good idea! Although I have done the “what do you mean new, have had it for ages” routine too often and she has caught on. No the solution probably is to take her shoe shopping.... so I probably need to spend 600. Bargain ;