Based on Your list alone it would be Sire or Boxer. Quality, features, Playability, and Comfort. Again mostly Subjective
Otherwise, IMHO, its Yamaha BB or MusicMan Caprice
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Oh Iām with the Caprice for sure but itās not very easy to find one and almost impossible to find one at the right price. Lol.
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Available here in SE Asia but not cheap. $2100 USD
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Thatās cheap at $2100. Itās not just discontinued they are not bringing them back anymore.
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My vote would be for the Sire if thatās your final list of options, but definitely check out more from their range if you can!
Iāve recently bought a new Sire V5R (Iāve realised Iām deffo a jazz bass kinda guy) and Iām now a solid fan of the brand; their current line of basses are quality way above the price imo
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If you go Charvel, tell the shop you will only buy it if they dress the frets unless you like to do that stuff.
Can readily confirm this for my short scale Sire U5. Comparing to EBMM Sterling Stingray (also a high quality shortie) the Sire definitely has better build quality and was over $100 less. (And as I previously mentioned - the Sire is noticeably better fit/finish than the MIM P-bass I have - which is my go-to full scale).
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Iāve really wanted to try out the U5! Iāve only got one store that stocks Sires near me and have never made it there when theyāve any in stock, so they seem to be pretty darn popular 
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The U5 is particularly hard to find - in fact Iāve never seen one in a store. I bought mine used online based on playing a P7 in the store - and knowing that I like the smaller fingerboard and lower tension of a short scale (based on having the EBMM Sterling Stingray, Ibanez Mikro and an SX medium scale J-bass). It took me a minute to get used to the U5ās more bright/modern sound because Iād been playing a P-bass (with old flats) for a few months almost exclusively - but I am definitely a fan. I did get a set of flats for the U5 - but havenāt put them on yet.
The combination of Sire being popular and the lower overall numbers of U5ās probably accounts for scarcity in stores. But if you can get your hands on a P7 and you already like short scale youāll be able to make a good decision. Those lower tension strings arenāt for everyone and can make some playing styles harder - i.e. The Ramones catalog fingerstyle on a SS would be frustrating.
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I like the mustang. I have the American performer mustang and it feels and sounds great. The hot little mustang pickup cuts through the mix really well.
Another unique pj is the G&L SB2. You can fine the tribute series for less. Itās 2 knobs volume/ volume no tone knob the bridge pickup control kinda act like a brightness control. MFD pickup sounds awesome.
Hereās my short scales
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Nice collection! Whereād you get the custom knobs on your Sterling Stingray? (I have that same Daphne Blue). Oh wait - just noticing that it looks like you have the same style custom knobs on all of those?
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Itās a custom dipped from BlackZapp store on Reberb. They are quite awesome people.
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Thanks - these are some great options!
i am in san diego and most of the basses that i mentioned and some other ones here are in stock at pitbull audio. so this weekend i hope to be able to get down there and finally figure out which one i like the best - and either purchase new or used based on what i like. hope to have an update for you all!
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legend says the hunt never stops lol
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Charvel comes with rolled frets just like Sire these days
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Sire for the win.
The 3 I tied sure as heck didnāt seem rolled. They were horrible.