line6man said:
NARB, as well. Though I currently have more basses than guitars. :blob7:
I'm NARG but have played mainly guitar lately... :dontknow:
I agree that the new VM Jaguars are a great value and offer a lot of versatility for the price point.
For me, I prefer 5-strings mainly for reasons mentioned: having more notes in each position, plus it gives you plenty of versatility if you happen to play with folks who tune down a lot. String-wise my progression has basically gone Hohner Jazz Bass copy* (4) > MIM P Bass** (4) > MIM Jazz V (5) > Ibanez SR605*** (5) > EB MM Stingray (5) > Fender/Warmoth Geddy Lee Jazz (4) > Warmoth Jaguar (5-String Deluxe)
* Now in parts in my basement
** Sold to a friend who won't sell it back
*** Got forgotten/snagged after a gig
So all-time I've owned 3 4-strings and 4 5-strings.
With the 4-strings, I think the P-bass did about everything you want a bass to do, but as mentioned a PJ setup gives you the versatility to get most of both sounds, which is something the VM Jaguar offers. The Precision is wider at the nut, and i prefer both that spacing and the more baseball bat-like profile of its neck. MusicMan now has the Sterling by Musicman line, too, which are priced in the mid $500 range, and though I haven't played any, if the quality is consistent with OLP, they're very good basses for the money as well. Personally, I'm most apt to get a P-Bass next for both comfort (I have large hands) and covering the range of sounds it does.
Of the 5's, the Ibanez had the nicest slim spacing and probably the most consistent neck, but crappy electronics, and playing the Stingray was great for a long time, but ultimately can really only do the Stringray sound, and it also left me wanting a slightly wider spacing. The Warmoth is a great marriage of both the specs and aesthetics I want, along with exotic woods that simply aren't an option on any basses I can touch for the price I paid, but it took playing all the other basses I've had or tried to know it was what I wanted.
TL

R - I vote for a MIM P-Bass or VM Jaguar.