Alder

This is the common name for a genus of flowering trees and plants called Alnus, which belong to the birch (Betula) family. While the earliest Fender guitar bodies were almost exclusively crafted from ash, the company eventually began to also use alder in its top-of-the-line instruments, including the Stratocaster and Jaguar. Alder is an excellent choice when a brighter sound is desired, though it is not a particularly dense wood. It does provide a resonant, well-rounded tone with very good sustain and a lively attack. Today Fender uses both ash and alder on various models throughout its line.