I can see where you are coming from... I sometimes play a lot, and as you know, i own and go through quite a few high end bass...
I did a gig the other day, guy calls me... " btw man for the gig, really, you got a Pbass with flats???"
I do have one... a £100 bass..... ended up taking it to the gig and the guy was super happy with the sound and look etc...
made me wonder....