[quote name='JTUK' post='837526' date='May 14 2010, 07:25 PM']Those two aren't arbiters of tone, IMV anyway, but..[/quote]
I didn't say they were.... I simply pointed out that the individual tone each of them is known for is generally very popular and often pursued.... they were simply 'examples'....re-read my post.
[quote name='JTUK' post='837526' date='May 14 2010, 07:25 PM']If you spend your £700 in a shop, you'll be getting a bass that cost...what..? half that to make..and you'll skimp on a few components, maybe average tuners or pups..[/quote]
There are plenty of basses in the £700-£1000 range that are SUPERBLY made with no skimping on comoponents, tuners, hardware, woods, build quality etc...
I'm not knocking boutique luthiers - simply pointing out that after a certain price point you aren't necessarily getting that much better an instrument, indeed you are often paying for the name/supposed associated prestige.....