Welcome to the village. For my fretwork I use 1/8" - 1/4" baltic birch usually. some things I've cut from thin hardwoods as well. It depends on what you want to use and what is available.
looks great Marshall. I have to agree I hate to paint hardwoods. If I'm going to paint something I use cheap wood- pine, poplar or mdf. But then if thats what the customer wants what can you do.
And yuo save it from the burn pile even better.