I got to spend a an hour or so in the makers competition room at ISB in Kalamazoo 2005. There were noteworthy basses there. My favorite for workmanship was either the Hatchez or Kramer. Soundwise I am not a good judge but Arnolds and Nick's won a certificate for tone, as did Kramer and one or two others.
Nick won a certificate for tone at this years VSA in Baltimore, so congratulations to him. And that should up his price
I believe David Wiebe should be added to the list of great makers.
Of those already mentioned, Jeff Bollbach's workmanship is scary good! Edgework, corners etc.. all of the best quality.
Anybody see a bass by Mike Magee? He used to live around here but moved to Pittsburg.