This topic strikes a chord and goes to the very heart of many a bass players vulnerability. Over the years I've owned them all. 80's fads, 90's fads, 00's fads etc, etc.Headless, 5 string, 6 string. Jazz, P, new world, extended range. All colours you can imagine. Ive spent a small fortune on basses and related stuff to meet my desire to be better, and find the tone!!!. My conclusion is this. Pickups matter, electronics matter. My ability and ears dwindle. The rest is a version of the emperors new clothes.
Having said all this, I'm returning to my deluded world and and very happy here