[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1482231495' post='3198594']
How is Fender or the shop going to set up a bass? High or low action, lightweight rounds or heavy duty flats? Either way they'll be wrong for someone.
I can tell if a bass is one I'd like to play even with a mile high or stupidly low action.
Fender have given people too much ammunition over the years but set up is personal and easy to work through.
[/quote]Isn't it all about a mid way. I don't want to play a bass that is buzzing neither do I want to play a bass that I have to reach for the strings to play a note. I think the general consensus for a shop is to put some roundwounds on the bass as there the most popular string, and if a customer wants a flat wound set put on so be it. Or to lower or lift the action to where she/he wants. It should be playable to the general public. I've been into shops where there is a G string was missing off the bass, then another experience in Guitar Guitar was where I wanted to play a Sadowsky and the guy has played the bass for me with some sh*te machine gun slap. The point is it should be a good retail experience. The times ive been to see Mark at Bass Direct and everything has been spot on. It's the old, when sales get bigger, the bigger the shop, the bigger the staff, the less care is taken. It's the nature of the beast. This rings true with companies that make instruments. Not always of course. Music Man seem to buck that trend. Mmm. I wonder why.