Pretty much any pickup will work with any wood...... The wood will however change the tonal quality of the pickup... or enhance it, you could say. Alder and Ash are pretty similar in the tonal qualities... Ash is used for it's slightly lighter weight and it's also used because it has a more aestetic grain pattern... that's why Fender uses it for their transparent finishes....... The tonal qualities don't differ much between the two though. They both generally have a brighter tone when compared to other woods... obviously less sustain than that of the heavy mahogany bodies... mahogany is generally a deeper or warmer tone wood.... due to it's weight. That's pretty much it though. There are no pickups out there that won't work with any wood... it's all personal preference really. I think you're on the right track with Ceramic magnets in the humbucker.... EMGs are great pickups.... They're just not very versatile outside of the rock/metal genre.... which is why I will never own a set... I have played numerous numerous guitars with EMGs.... and they sound great for rock and metal.. probably the best out there... but for versatility I wouldn't recommend them.... Look into Bare Knuckle pickups... they might be able to get your crazy hot pickups for you.