I think it depends on what you grew up on- and no matter what, feel is inherently subjective and multigame cabinets (especially for titles with different controls originally) are always a compromise.
A great excuse for more than one cabinet though!
If you were born in the US in 1970 like me then you played a lot of Happ and Wico sticked games probably, but what you actually like is up to you.
To cover a decent amount of games we wound up with Mag Stik Plus units in the machine in the house presently.
Most of the games we play are 4-way ones, but we have a few favorites that are 8 ways and for us, those sticks are a great and functional compromise.
No complaints.
That machine first had U360s to try to do it all, but the feel wasn't right for all those classic 4 way games.
I could tell immediately, but it was also affecting enjoyment of the machine with everyone else (who wasn't born in 1970) so I switched them out.
If I can make an improvement on the U360s by making Andy's restrictor inserts out of urethane (thereby improving the feel) than I will be putting them back in there, but everyone is happier with the Mag Stik Plus ones at the moment.
Seems like maybe the people who don't like those are more vocal about it than people who do, but I bet it is more a microswitch vs leaf switch complaint than anything else.
There are numerous other switchable sticks out there too, but I believe nearly all others require access underneath your control panel to switch them (which may or may not be a deal breaker for you.)
Except the ServoStik, which I haven't tried yet.
The two stick panel for my multi-panel machine has 8 way Leaf-Pro units from GroovyGameGear and for a relatively inexpensive stick they are great- but those are only available as dedicated 4 or 8 way sticks.
They are 8 ways, but I think the leaf switches make it so that they are really pretty good for playing 4 way games actually.
Maybe Randy's Dominux as an 8 way is even better as a compromise.
If you want quality, I have only wound up with really nice components from both Ultimarc and GroovyGameGear myself.
I see a fair amount of 3 stick panels also (8 ways on the outsides with one dedicated 4 way in the middle- which is probably a best scenario compromise.)
That is if you don't want a trackball.
Doubling up input wiring like you are asking about works if done properly- as long as nobody bumps the other stick during play.
Buy and try as many as you can afford to!