A workhorse with Growl, Definition and full sound...

Before even reading your post I was gonna say that an EBMM Stingray is the way to go. After reading the post and learning about what you play and want out of a bass, there is no doubt in my mind you need to get a Stingray!

 

I mean...I guess the Stringray has some growl...but every one I have played hasn't even come CLOSE to the growl and definition of my Warwick...Get a 4 string thumb or streamer...and you'll have the growl and the full tone...and if you could get your hands on a used one, it would be very affordable
check out this clip... http://youtube.com/watch?v=T9sT5FnLyKs
watch his other videos for clips of his Streamer.

 

You also might want to try Spector. They have growl in spades.

 

I can't help but detect a hint of, "the bass I play is best at everything" from this thread. Every suggestion has come from someone whos main bass apparently provides everything the OP wants. My money would be on Warwick though.

 

stingrays have that weak g string
or else i would be owning one.

 

Mine doesn't.

 

mine doesn't either, and I've yet to play a StingRay that did. Personally, I think the weak G is a myth perpetuated by people that have poor technique (I'm not talking trash, this is just based on my experience with StingRays).

And StingRays have growl. Get one with active EQ, and make sure to start with the EQ flat. I think maybe people that thing SRs have no growl must be rolling the EQ all the way forward on all of the knobs.

Also, for more options, get the HS or maybe HH

 

since you can't play one, check this out:

http://bassplayer.tv/index.html?req=1&station=bpgear&video=bptv/gear/bptv_l07_stingray

 

For a Stingray+Warwick tone, look for an old FNA(not FNA Jazzman). MM in the sweet spot, wenge/ash, slim Jazzy neck. Vicious growl.

 

Reading your description, I hear a Sadowsky Modern 24 with Nordstrand Big Singles!
At least, that's how mine sounds to me!

But they are not available as a 4 string (as Metros).

 

Find a bass with good playability that is routed for soapbars (Skyline 55/44-01, MTD Z4/5, etc.) and add a set of Nordstrand DCs and an OBP3. Presto! Growl in spades.

 

I've played 4 or 5 different Stingrays and never come across it either. At one point I did think that my own SR4 had the weak G, but a change of strings resolved the problem, I just had a dead G. I also replaced the battery so that may have helped too.

 

It depends what kind of growl you like. The Spector basses have it in the mid-bass. Warwicks in the low-bass. Also, the strings play a big factor. DR Nickel Lo-Riders have great growl and strong mids. I love 'em on my Spector 5'er.

 

When I was reading i was thinking stingray too,

but I realize your looking for a lighter one?

Try the EBMM Sterling!

 

Could be a myth, but I have owned 2 stingrays (4 string single H, older model and a 5 string HH) that exhibited the same problem. I do not have this problem on any of my other basses. Not sure how it could be attributed to technique, do you mean that my technique leads me to play with less force on the G string? If so my technique is not failing me on any of my other basses.
I wanted to love the Stingray basses, I tried two of them, but found the same low output issues on the G string on both, and I moved on. I would love to check out one of the new Sterlings, however.

 

I'm a warwick guy and I'd say a warwick corvette $$. Powerful, full and growlier than a Stingray. Totally the way to go

 

yeah, and I realize how that makes me sound, but let me tell you why. When I play non EBMM basses, the G string seems ridiculously loud, like the output is much greater on the G than on the other strings. So my assumption has been that people don't play with enough force on the G string, companies like Fender compensate for defecencies in player technique by giving the G greater output, then when the player switches to EBMM and the strings all have the same output, they think that the G is too quiet.

I will not believe in the Myth until I experience it first hand, or if my good friend who also plays StingRays experiences it.