I may have posted my entire knowledge of guitars in one short sentence Adam, but I will rest happy in the knowledge that it totally exceeded yours 
To be fair, that’s true of 90% of subjects, except Raspberry Pi’s, open baffle speakers and climbing walls. Adam’s your man for those. 
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Graham’s response basically sums it up.
In general the ‘feel’ is all important to most players. The neck profile is a big factor and everyone will have their own preference. Pickups can make a huge difference to the sound. (Think quality SUTs) The acoustic properties of the body factor far more for an acoustic guitar where structure and wood choice becomes more dominant this is not to say these things are not important on an electric.
I would say the most important factor overall is quality control. The PRS further up the thread is a prime example (although that one is mega expensive). It’s almost impossible to buy a bad PRS whereas Gibson for example even with its legendary status have had issues in the past so buyers become more selective on the year they were produced.
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This^^^
There is also a massive argument around Tonewoods. The diametrically apposing views are like the geetar version of Cable Wars.
YouTube is full of 'em…
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I’d of thought tone of wood was more important on an acoustic over electric.
Should add,I know absolutely nothing about guitars
Wood has an effect on sustain and (in my mind) the grain and structure of different woods should change the tone relative the same type of pickup.
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Such an effect, if it exists, should be readily measurable.
This chap chops away the majority of the guitar’s body. No worthwhile change in tone or sustain. Actual measurements show this as well as listening tests.
Ime pickups, bridge type and where you pick the strings makes the difference, I cant hear the type of wood*.
*acoustic guitars aren’t part of my sweeping statement.
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Interesting selection of Guitars at a local’ish auction coming up…
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Its time for another update…
For a few hours this weekend I’ve been drilling some particularly accurate holes, staining the body poo brown and then trying to backtrack.
Testing a water based stain in various dilution levels on a body blank off cut.
I had no idea what I was doing, which is why I ended up with a poo brown guitar - yay
Better rub that off.
While I was contemplating my next brown move, I decided to drill the holes for the stings to pass through the body, a job I’ve be procrastinating over for a couple of weeks. String ferrules are installed in the back of guitars to hold the strings in place, they need to line up otherwise they look dreadful.
You do not want this…
A trick from Youtube I picked up is to use the bridge as a guide to drill the 2.5mm holes though the body.
That worked - 6 small holes evenly spaced. Granted I didn’t need YouTube to figure that bit out
How do you open an 2.5mm hole on the back of the guitar to 8mm and maintain precise alignment?
A 2.5mm pin in a sacrificial drill press table that’s lined up with the tip of an 8mm brad point bit means you can carefully lower the body on the pin (6 times) and simply drill the holes, in this case they’re 10.1mm deep to accommodate the ferrules
As you can see I’d rubbed off more or less all the brown stain from the top and back.
Drilled a couple of holes for the wiring to pass through with my extra long drill bit.
having sanded the body front and back to death again (80, 120, 180. 240, 320 grit) it actually started to look good, the poo brown stain remained within the deeper pores accentuating grain.
CBA to sand the side, thats staying brown.
Decided to go for it and apply the penetrating oil to finish it…
It’ll need 3 to 5 coats, but after just 2 it looks great. Considering I’m totally winging it, I’m happy with how this has turned out. Should end up with a decent stain sheen.
Also began to apply Tru Oil to the back of the neck, that’s starting to look good too.
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Great progress Graham 
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To someone coming to it cold, not immediately knowing how you got there, the dark edges, and the accentuated grain looks fucking fantastic - “happy little accidents”… 
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Looks fantastic Graham, and given the skill and effort you’re putting into this project it’ll look a million dollars when it’s finished - like a custom shop instrument I reckon 
“happy little accidents”
Could always paint a big tree in the foreground, right at the end.
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Continuing to follow this journey with great interest and admiration.
My own journey some years ago comprised of a tea chest, long brush handle and a piece of string, no faffing about with frets, machine heads or electronics, then again it was a dismal failure 
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Looks like it might also come in handy if the audience turned awkward …
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More ‘when’ than ‘if’ 
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Sensible - if one is going to inflict progressive rock on hapless victims - it is wise to use an instrument that doubles-up as a defensive weapon…
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