Current and recent main and project basses:
5-string:
- Dingwall ABZ 5-string, ash/maple: approx. 7 lb 8 oz (3.4 Kg)
- Squier 4-string VM Frankenjazz, fretless body, 60's fretted neck: 8 lb 4 oz (3.74 Kg)
- Home-made 5-string singlecut, maple/ebony/bubinga: 9 lb 14 oz (4.48 Kg)
- Fender MIM Jazz V, alder/maple/rosewood: 10 lb+ (5 Kg)
- Ibanez ATK305 5-string, ash/maple, active: 11 lb+ (5+ Kg)
Ranking for sustain, best to worst:
1. Dingwall
2. Homemade
3. Ibanez
4. Fender
5. Squier
Dead spots and even tone from string to string:
1. Homemade/Dingwall
2. Fender
3. Ibanez
4. Squier
Heft of tone (tone controls flat):
1. Homemade
2. Dingwall*
3. ATK
4. Jazz V
5. Squier Frankenjazz
Note that there's no consistent correlation between my lightest and heaviest basses in terms of sustain and tone.
The Dingwall's slip in the "heft" rankings is mainly because of the modern-voiced pickups. With the tone control racked back, it's tied for first.
My conclusions:
1. Getting a solid, "big boy" tone is more dependent on electronics, quality of construction and setup, than weight.
2. Overall weight and tone have more to do with thoughtful design and the particular pieces of lumber chosen, than on particular tonewood species.
3. When you play out at least 3 or 4 times per week, and set lengths are typically between 2 and 4 hours, weight quickly moves from the bottom to the top of your priority list.
