I really do think Fender are damned of they do and damned if they don't.
They are in many ways cursed by having the 2 if not 3 most popular (and well used) bass designs ever! P,J, T.
Like many of us on here, I spend most of my time playing a P bass and when I'm not I'm sort of wishing I was.
I say good on them for at least trying to offer something slightly different.