Moving to Short Scale Permanently/5 String Short Scale?

This can certainly be filed under "hypotheticals that can't/don't need to be decided soon". But I'm just curious if anyone has thoughts.

Quick background: I'm 36, I teach music for a living, and have had wrist/tendon issues for a few years. I've been seeing a doctor, but the bottom line is we're treating the symptoms right now, without a real clear answer for what's causing the issues beyond probably overuse and maybe a tendency to get inflamed easily.

I've been playing 34" scale forever (tried 35" 5 string for a year but found it to be too much), and my main bass was a 5 string Carvin that I love and works great for everything. In January I got a short scale to see if that would relieve my issues, and along with lower tension strings, it has been much easier to play without having issues. I'm playing this bass full time now.

I don't need a 5 string a lot, but I like having it for when I need it. And I like the idea of using one bass that can do everything, which is why I got the Carvin. I keep on coming back to the idea that I have this bass that I just don't know if I'll use again, and I hate the idea of it just sitting here. I've contemplated selling it and getting a short scale 5 string, and probably the things that are keeping me from doing this are 1) there aren't many options in the ~$1000 range, and 2) They seem to have pretty wide necks for some reason, which I'm not sure I will like. My favorite 5 string to play was an EBMM stringray 5, I love that neck. I got used to playing the Carvin, but now when I pick it up, compared to the 1.5" Mustang PJ neck, it feels like an aircraft carrier.

So now that I've dumped all of these thoughts out, what do you think? If there was a $1000 short scale 5 string with narrow string spacing and a narrow nut width, I think it would be a no-brainer for me.

 

The Kiesel is the only one I've found around that price, and unfortunately that shape is just a little too wild for me. I wish they would make their Zeus short scale. I'm also a little nervous that between the wide spacing and the nut being the same width as my 5er, it'll be too big of a stretch long term.

Those Sereks look awesome, I would get one in a heartbeat if I had the cash. I'll check out the Atelier Z too.

I tried this. The sound is good, but the width of the neck is just a lot. It's worse because it's further down the neck of course, a 30" 5 string would be more narrow.

I already have a Mustang PJ, I'm a big fan.

 

I'm leaning toward getting one of the Ibanez, either the TMB or the Mezzo, and just seeing how it goes. At least if I decide I don't like it or do want to upgrade, I won't take as big a hit on a flip.

 

I have a 34” 5 string I like, actually. When I say short scale, I mean 30-32”.