[quote name='johnnylager' post='443885' date='Mar 24 2009, 03:26 PM']No, no, no.
1. Does it have a famous name on the headstock?
2. Does it have kudos in the bass playing community?
3. I agree on 3.
4. Can I get it in the house under the wife-dar?[/quote]
No. 4 especially!!
Must say that I voted No.4 in the OP's poll - it's what plays/feels/sounds right that matters IMO.. I've had loads of big brand name basses in the past and have a few now, but that doesn't mean anything at the end of the day if you don't enjoy it when you pick up the instrument and play it.
I had a Fender '66 Jazz about 14 years ago and I just didn't like it, so I sold it on.. Conversely, I had a short-scale, cheap old Kay bass some years ago that I sold and I still wish I had it because it was great fun to play..