Suggestions on buying a new bass?

[thesneakyjesus]

Hello all,
I'm looking at buying a new upright. I currently have an mid ranged eastman... I don't recall the model number.

I live in northern virginia, but I go to school in Tennessee, outside nashville, so I can look into both locations for a good bass (Dustin's shop in Nashville and Bob's House of Basses... even Brobpst in Virginia).

So this is my deal...
I'm playing about 90% jazz music, but I really require a good sound with the bow. (I'm also looking into buying a new bow). The bass I have now doesn't really bow well at all. I've tried a handful of strings, and really enjoy obligatos (but I somehow eneded up with light gauge Oblis... which aren't loud enough). I digress

I'm looking for a bass that
-has a strong sustain and good pizz tone
-bows well
-is loud
-is fully carved

Cosmetically, I'll do anything, but I like darker finishes and Busetto corners.

I'm looking at really steping up the price range and getting an instrument that can take me through the rest of my bass playing career. Maybe 8k or less?

So I ask...

What should I be looking for and where should I start? I'm skeptical to just walk into a shop (as I have done before) and play a bunch of basses and then buy one.

I'm just kinda scared