Been there. When I had the two Alembic five-strings, going looking at basses was like jumping the in Ferrari 512 to go look at Chevys . . . . . nothing at GC or Corner Music or anywhere else was 'better' or had something I lacked at the time. Hard to get excited about a GSX/R when I rode up on an MV F4i.
But at the same time I'd been at this long enough, and had studied and examined enough instruments to have a sense of what worked, what was solid, what was useable, and what worked for me inside that knowledge base. After that, it was quick enough to spot BS or things that just weren't necessary or just window dressing.
So now, IF I darken the door of a music store, I know what I'm looking at, and the ardor, as they say, has cooled, and it's down to something interestingly cost-effective, which these days has been several remarkable Squiers that punch way above their weight for their price range.
I was never one to idolize axes; I enjoyed them if they were well-made tools, but was never truly obsessive or had a 'bass for life', as I've had several different lives. They all had their day, I enjoyed what they taught and told me, and then it was time for them to move on.
