I tend to feel like 75% of the "feel" of a bass is in the neck profile and dimensions, 20% is in balance, and 5% is in the shape of the body. You might feel differently, but that shapes my advice.
I understand that Musikraft is the thickest prefab parts neck.
But USA Custom Guitars' old equipment is now owned by MJT. I haven't worked with MJT, but I ordered a custom USACG neck for build several years ago with very specific dimensions--I was trying to copy a G&L neck I had: 1.5" nut width, .82-.92 depth, 12" radius, 21 medium frets. It came out great. I chose roasted maple and finished it myself with tru-oil and it still feels and looks amazing. Even smells good.
I had the body custom made by a local luthier -- I wanted a slightly longer upper horn so the bass would sit on me a little differently and offer better upper fret access with a slightly different cutaway. Piano black finish with tort/white binding. It worked out great and is my #1 4-string. I can't imagine ever not having it or using it. Lots of compliments from sound engineers as well.
I also built an instrument from Warmoth parts for the body and neck, and thought it was high quality. But ultimately I sold it off at a big loss because sometimes my own ideas don't work the way I think they will.
Finally, I own a Lull 5-string J that I modded with a P-pickup. Sounds amazing, wonderful to play, works as B-E or E-C, 5/5 would recommend. I played a 4-string P in the store once and almost bought it on the spot except I didn't need another 4-string.
So, if I were doing the 4-string P thing again:
If I felt like hiring a high end luthier, I would go to Lull and I wouldn't think twice about it. Mike actually played a P and the people in his shop "get it." Service is also really good.
If I wanted to really spec it out myself, I'd order the exact neck dimensions I wanted from MJT, and then buy a Warmoth body (personally I'd wait for the right weight/wood combo to pop up rather than pre-ordering), get the parts I want and have a local luthier assemble and set up.
I don't know who does and does not do rosewood at this point.
Other high end basses P-style basses I've tried: Maruczyzyk and Lakland are great sounding but had thin necks (front to back) for my personal taste. Fodera is a unique instrument with a P-shaped pickup but sounded and felt nothing like a P-bass. I played an old Modulus Bassstar for awhile and those are great but also their own thing.
Production instruments: G&L LB-100 is the one I like most. I also really liked the Fender American Standards and Deluxes from a few years back and have played some Mexican Fenders that were great. If I were in the market and stumbled across one I liked, I would buy it and then mod the electronics and hardware if I felt it necessary.
I probably won't keep up with this thread but quote me or PM me if you have questions. Good luck!
I understand that Musikraft is the thickest prefab parts neck.
But USA Custom Guitars' old equipment is now owned by MJT. I haven't worked with MJT, but I ordered a custom USACG neck for build several years ago with very specific dimensions--I was trying to copy a G&L neck I had: 1.5" nut width, .82-.92 depth, 12" radius, 21 medium frets. It came out great. I chose roasted maple and finished it myself with tru-oil and it still feels and looks amazing. Even smells good.
I had the body custom made by a local luthier -- I wanted a slightly longer upper horn so the bass would sit on me a little differently and offer better upper fret access with a slightly different cutaway. Piano black finish with tort/white binding. It worked out great and is my #1 4-string. I can't imagine ever not having it or using it. Lots of compliments from sound engineers as well.
I also built an instrument from Warmoth parts for the body and neck, and thought it was high quality. But ultimately I sold it off at a big loss because sometimes my own ideas don't work the way I think they will.
Finally, I own a Lull 5-string J that I modded with a P-pickup. Sounds amazing, wonderful to play, works as B-E or E-C, 5/5 would recommend. I played a 4-string P in the store once and almost bought it on the spot except I didn't need another 4-string.
So, if I were doing the 4-string P thing again:
If I felt like hiring a high end luthier, I would go to Lull and I wouldn't think twice about it. Mike actually played a P and the people in his shop "get it." Service is also really good.
If I wanted to really spec it out myself, I'd order the exact neck dimensions I wanted from MJT, and then buy a Warmoth body (personally I'd wait for the right weight/wood combo to pop up rather than pre-ordering), get the parts I want and have a local luthier assemble and set up.
I don't know who does and does not do rosewood at this point.
Other high end basses P-style basses I've tried: Maruczyzyk and Lakland are great sounding but had thin necks (front to back) for my personal taste. Fodera is a unique instrument with a P-shaped pickup but sounded and felt nothing like a P-bass. I played an old Modulus Bassstar for awhile and those are great but also their own thing.
Production instruments: G&L LB-100 is the one I like most. I also really liked the Fender American Standards and Deluxes from a few years back and have played some Mexican Fenders that were great. If I were in the market and stumbled across one I liked, I would buy it and then mod the electronics and hardware if I felt it necessary.
I probably won't keep up with this thread but quote me or PM me if you have questions. Good luck!
As in: I dreamed up a finish that they had never offered, and they said "yeah why not, let's try it!" 
