It's far easier if one is not so fussy about details, and with wider tastes. Fretboard..? If it's not backed with sandpaper, I say 'Whatever...'. I've never found any difference whether ebony, rosewood, maple, other... Pickups..? They make sounds I can use; that's all I ask of 'em. I can use sounds from 'P'-style, 'J'-style, 'MM'-style, 'H'-style or 'Other'. It's my ears that tell my fingers how to get whatever 'tone' I want from whatever bass I'm wearing, with, maybe, a little help from EQ, on the bass or from the amp/DAW. It's all good. Scale length..? I play long-scale fretless sixer, long-scale fretted fiver, long-scale four, medium-scale four, several six-string guitars and baritone guitars, 12-string electric, folk guitars, nylon classical... I adapt to the instrument, and play 'em accordingly. It's true I'm far from virtuoso on any of these, but it's my playing that is the issue, not the scale length, nor neck width, weight, neck profile or whatever. I enjoy the moment, or even the challenge, and am not looking for, nor expecting, perfection in any one aspect. I'm looking to get the best I can with what I have under my fingers, and, for the past half-century and more, it's my fingers that are the weak link in the equation.
Disclaimer : I'm a drummer; I don't spend any time or even thought trying to get 'whatever' tone from a kit. I play to make the best I can with the kit I have. Should I use a chrome snare, or wood, or Vistalite..? Which hoops..? Nylon tip sticks, or hickory, or oak..? Which grade of metal is good for cymbales..? Should they be mirror-finish, or hand-hammered..? 16" crash..? Or 17"..? or 18"..? Don't get started on pedals... Chain..? Direct..? Webbing strap..? Felt beater or nylon..?
It's all irrelevant. Choose what suits best within budget and enjoy it, whatever it is, for what it is, or don't buy it at all. Simple, really.