Tone/Sound Vs. Feel/Playability

[AlphaMale]

When you're choosing a bass what is more important?

Tone or Playability?
It would also be cool if you said the brand of bass you play.

[Deacon_Blues]

I don't care too much about the sound as long as it is good enough to satisfy my ears. I'm more picky with the playability/feel so I voted for that.

[AlphaMale]

Feel, Ibanez

[Valerus]

If I can't feel good playing it, I won't have it.

[jomahu]

feel feel feel. IMO, everything else can be changed.

i play an sx . still haven't found another bass that feels as good....

[mjolnir]

Feel. With a simple change of electronics and pups I can change the tone however I want.

[Unrepresented]

It depends on how unplayable and how great the tone is.

Not to upset any fans of these basses but I totally dig the recorded tone of the MusicMan basses but every time I pick one up I just can't get past the ergonomics of it. I felt similar about a Rick I tried out the other day, I love the tone these things get but the used one ('76 IIRC) I played on had the action so slammed in combination with the neck pickup being in the wrong place for me that I just couldn't find a sweet spot. Didn't even bother to plug either of them in.

On the other hand, I still don't love the tone on my Warwick as much as my jazz. It is more consistent and balanced, but lacks the mojo. However in terms of ergonomics it's much more comfy to play. If every band I've ever played the Warwick in front of didn't actively encourage me to go back to the Fender I'd probably use it more.

[Mutant Corn]

Feel.

I think there's enough left of it to call it a Squier...

[AlphaMale]

Hm.. the three tone people didn't post, I wonder why

[jimb213]

Feel, but it still has to sound good.