i agree with you whole heartedly, but i would realy like to KNOW what i've got. bets are on basswood when i find out.
couldn't be any worse than an old kalamazoo caliber but even that wasn't too bad a bass from what i've read as i have never played one; it is serving its purpose though and doing it rather inexpensively.
From the Warmoth site:
"Basswood (Tilia americana):
This is a lighter weight wood normally producing Strat® bodies under 4 lbs. The color is white, but often has nasty green mineral streaks in it. This is a closed-grain wood, but it can absorb a lot of finish. This is not a good wood for clear finishes since there is little figure. It is quite soft, and does not take abuse well. Sound-wise, Basswood has a nice, growley, warm tone with good mids. A favorite tone wood for shredders in the 80s since its defined sound cuts through a mix well."