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I actually swapped that for a mayones 6 string fretless that I found in a cash converters. Couldn't play it at all but even then I could tell it was really high quality.
Whether that means bassists spend more on an individual bass because they can - not thinking they need so many - or that companies charge more because they're not under such price pressure, I don't know. There are also very good basses that are surprisingly cheap too.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Spend 300 cabbage wisely on a second hand bass, and you'll have a great bass
I've certainly known bassists use cheap gear, or relatively cheap gear. The bassist in my old band had used some pretty expensive kit in the past (playing in Butlins backing bands)but he'd settled on a Squire. Set up how he liked he felt it was as good as his old expensive basses.
As a tool though many cheap basses are fine. A couple of my friends are session bass players and generally just use standard Fender jazz or precisions. My own stepson is starting to make money as a session bass player and all he uses is a Squire Jazz which cost me £225
Now double bass, well you can spend some serious money there!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
And a new hand carved Martin DB is about £100,000
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
As for instruments and traditions I notice the same trend I have noticed on this forum. Most players seem to use either P or J basses in some form so its not like we bassists are more open minded. Also if you look at the sale forum its mostly these basses for sale in general like its on here. I would guess around 80% of guitars here are Fender, Gibson and PRS and then add Suhr and Tom Anderson.
As for using one bass yes I can agree to that. I studied jazz for years so you wanted to have an instrument that was very versatile being able to do walking bass lines, do chords and solo both up high to replicate different instruments (sax etc.) and lower end so I wanted one bass to cover all. So to me 5 string was essential and later I got the same model in 6 string fretless and that was all I ever needed. I later added another 5 string to have as a backup and not just backup but also to give variations to a sound palate I already have. When gigging I want to travel light so my rig reflects that plus the reliability of my basses so I often take just one bass to a gig and up until now it has never failed.
My approach to guitar is totally different. I play music on bass but rock out on guitar so I just want a superstrat and distortion pedal so I am not fussy but I have also started enjoying experimenting with pickups and I do not want to mess about with my basses so I do that on guitars as well.
Sorry for the long rant but I just wanted to add that yes I was fortunate enough to be able to buy the bass that I saw fit for me (got it cheap in 1997) but I could just as well play anything and enjoy music just as much on an entry level 4 string bass. For me its all about enjoying playing and making music so the instrument is just a vehicle for me to be able to take part.
The majority of bassists, doing paid work, need something that fulfils a function within an ensemble situation. For the most part, this function confines the bass instrument to a limited range of frequencies. Excessive upper frequency information is easy enough to generate from a bass guitar but it detracts from the function.
Much of the sonic variety required for a bass instrument can be achieved through either multiple pickups or active equalisation. Thus, one well-specified instrument will probably handle an entire set.
There is also a personality difference between bassists and guitarists. One sub-species seems inclined to obsess about things far more than the other. (Face it, duckie. The average audience member neither knows nor cares whether your fingerboard is Brazilian Rosewood, Macassar Ebony or IKEA ply.) The advantage of playing both guitar and bass guitar is that I know the sort of bass line by which my guitar would prefer to be supported.
The bottom line - pun intended - is that bass is aimed at yo' ass. It is the element in the overall band arrangement that makes you want to dance.
I've been fortunate to meet two proper bassists recently. Couldn't be more different people/musically. Yet it was really apparent that their thought processes are totally alien to guitarists.
First time I met the one guy, we ate lunch and had coffee for over an hour and we didn't talk about gear *at all*.
Can you imagine that happening with a guitarist?
I read guitar mags on the train. Occasionally passing guitarists notice and have short conversations with me. They always tell me "what they have". One guy started listing his immense collection of amps, his gaff must look like JoBo's!