Yep, nothing like actually building a prototype and playing it vs laying it out on paper or, shudder, a computer IMO. I'd do another pine one, it's an excellent light tone wood. My white JAEbird is pine as are all my final prototypes, it finishes up very well. I'd spend the $$ on pickups vs wood. I use 2x4s and laminate them, the bodies end up costing less than $5.
There are many supposed kinds of mahogany, honduras is the real stuff. A body blank will cost $100 or more. The other stuff they call mahogany isn't really and is generally heavy. Ash is great also just make sure it's the light, "swamp" ash vs the heavy "northern" ash. A rule of thumb is the wilder the grain the lighter the ash.
Keep up the great work!
