I can only comment on my 2013 N.S. Starfire I bass.
This is in reference to playing clean with fingers, and not an overdriven sound.
It can sound good, but doesn't have the punch and clarity of a (industry standard) Pbass or a 4003 (non-industry standard) bass if that is what you are looking for.
It has a much mellower, softer spoken, less aggressive tone. But then it is a semi-hollow bass.
It needed to be heavily modded to silence the RF and AC noise for recording and live DI to board playing. But worked out in the end.
However, it plays on the left hand like a dream even way up above the 12th fret. The neck is superb. It is a very fun bass to play. So comfortable on the left hand. It will definitely make it easier to play difficult passages with it's closer string spacing and shortscale.
It definitely has it's own voice. Got it's own sound. Great for folk/folk rock. Anything mellow.
Hard to intonate low estring as the saddle doesn't have enough travel. But works good enough. Others say theirs are fine.
Other shortscale thoughts:
1. My shortscale Gibson Les Paul Tribute Double Cutaway Bass in worn brown sounds like half way between a 4003 and a Pbass. It has all the plusses of a shortscale bass and tonally blows away my Starfire I. But then I like a more aggressive tiger growly tone. Your taste may be different.
2. Mustangs sound (like a Pbass) and play great, too. But neck is better on my Gibson.
3. 2011 Gibson SG bass - plays like a dream, looks great, mine sounded awful.
If I was looking for a punchy, clear, powerful sounding shortscale bass, I would get the Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway Tribute bass currently produced by Gibson.
If you are looking for a mellow sounding shortscale bass, then the Bisonic Starfire is where it's at.