Hah I won't lie, I was really surprised to see the alder comment! No alder?? How can you get simpler than alder? Ash is far more showy I think. Plus everybody knows that to do it RIGHT you have to have a solid color finished PINE telecaster. And a one piece maple neck without a trussrod. Having a walnut skunk stripe on your guitar is only for strumpets!
I think any basic wood looks pretty when it's a telecaster. And alder is a pretty basic wood. Sounds good too!