Short scale shoot-out

I was recently in the market for a new, low-cost short scale bass. Luckily, the music store I went to had a good selection of them to choose from: Squier Bronco, Squier Jaguar Bass SS, Squier Mustang Bass, Gretsch Junior Jet and an Epiphone Allen Woody. I tried them all back-to-back through the same amp, a Traynor TB50; just a small, no-frills solid state amp, with the EQ left flat so I could get a good sense of the sound of the basses without any coloration. I played the same simple rock/blues riffs on all of them. I have given the prices as shown before taxes, in Canadian dollars. Here's what I found:

Bronco ($150): Had the weakest output, and the thinnest sound of the lot. Felt and looked cheap.

Jaguar ($200): For $50 more, it's a HUGE step up! It had the highest perceived output (from the P-bass pickup) and the fullest sound of the group. Had what I felt to be the nicest neck (splitting hairs here). Has the option of more sounds with a versatile P/J combo. Slight neck dive.

Mustang ($280): Nice sounding pickup, seemed slightly punchier and thinner than the Jaguar (marginally), and without any real tonal options. String-thru bridge, so needs medium scale strings...perhaps this equates to more sustain(?). No neck dive. Nice looking instrument.

Gretsch Junior Jet ($300): Alright sound and output, but for a single pickup instrument, I liked the sound and feel of the Mustang better.

Epi Allen Woody: ($480): Unique sound from the others, due to pickup placement and chambered body: very deep, void of highs. Nice neck and a beautiful instrument. Obviously, a bit pricier than the others.

...and I went with (*drum roll*) the Jaguar Bass! (I got the red one...looks great!) I found it to be the best value, with the nicest neck, and with the best compliment of sounds for my type of playing. (I'm really surprised at how much I'm enjoying having the J-bass bridge pickup...opens up all kinds of new sonic possibilities). Again, a slight neck dive is present, but this is easily fixed. I enjoyed playing them all (except the Bronco). Cheers.

Yeah, my first bass was a Bronco as well. I am a guitarist primarily and needed a bass for recording projects, so I went short-scale to ease the transition. I thought it was alright, only because I had nothing other to compare it to. Then, I got into gigging with live bands and needed something better. I made the leap to full-scale with a Fender P!! I LOVED the sound, but never really got used to the scale. Now, I feel like I have the best of both worlds with this Jag....and then some, due to the addition of the bridge pickup! Some full-scale elitists will always dismiss SS as a toy or a kids instrument, or will cite technical issues such as the reduction in harmonic overtones or whatever....who cares. To me, its sounds great and is easier to play, especially when I'm jumping back and forth with my acoustic guitar.

@AntAir267: Where are you located? They have been in stores here in the Hamilton, Ontario area for a couple of weeks now. I would be surprised if they're not available online on sites like Musician's Friend, ZZounds, etc. now or very shortly.

I will also mention that the Traynor TB50 is the same amp that I have at home. It's no frills for sure, but gets the job done and is tough as nails....although the somewhat sterile, solid state sound is uninspiring at times. Perhaps there is a tube emulator or preamp in my future...