Someone else has mentioned that most professional players do NOT play on boutique basses. I am not a pro myself but I'm going to take a stab at explaining why this is. I'm guessing professionals find gear that works for them and stick with it, as opposed to us laymen who love to always be trying out the latest and the greatest. Also, by definition, a professional bassist would be one who makes their living playing bass, correct? Well, unfortunately this type of career may not be the most lucrative and probably most of these cats have other priorities (raising a family) more important than owning a boutique bass.
Not bashing the boutiques or their owners in anyway. I myself some day hope to own a US Masters...
Your missing a big reason here, as to why "pros" don't use boutique basses. Lets say your rock band is on a world tour, you land in Austrailia on Friday and you have a sold out stadium to play on Monday. Your Overwater bass is distroyed by, lets say , Untied Airlines (Hey, I hear they destroy guitars, why not basses?). Guess what, you aren't going to get a replacement axe in time for the concert! On the other hand, if you use a Fender CS, A high end Ibby, a Yamaha, or whatever. You axe gets destroyed, you can walk down to Joe's music, pickup an off the shelf Fender, Ibby, Yamaha, or whatever and your tech will get it "pretty" close so the girls still scream on Monday.
Its the same reason that you see so many Ibanez Sound Geras in studios. If you have played one of a particular model, you have played them all. Good, decent, factory bass. Fast neck, consistent build , same sound instrument to instrument. Not that it is the best bass, or the most desired bass, or the best finish and fit, just a good solid instrument that gives you consistentency.
My "tongue in cheek" (we really need a Smiley with a tongue in cheek) post earlier not with standing, I think the reason that those who choose to play boutique basses (I don't really have a boutique bass unless a Fender CS counts) aren't trying to "show off" or flaunt our money, talent, or superior ability (my talent is strictly middle of the road and some say it should stay there in the hopes that it'll be hit by the next Dog heading out of town). Its because we have a notion or love of the craft that CAN go into an instrument. We want that every finish isn't the same, that every route isn't necessarily perfect, that every screw head isn't aligned or body cut by a computer so they are all alike. We want those little foilibles that make people human and art art.
Same reason concert violinists search out a Stradivarius or an Amatti. Although I have heard these same violinists ID one of these instruments in blind taste tests.
I don't take my instruments for granted. I usually pick a bass first for the way it "feels" when I pick it up. Someone here said, the way "it talks to me". And not all of my basses would be considered "collectors" or high end or even desirable. I mean, I have basses that cost $49 when a standard Fender went for $300. Supros, Guyatones, Danos etc...But they talk to me, they have personality. Maybe the personality of a stew bum, but personality all the same.
There is nothing wrong with your SX, Your Jay Turser, Your Eastwood. It serves you well. And no one is dising you because thats your ax.But if you are the type of musician that appreciates his axe for more than making pretty noise, I'd bet a dollar to a donut (that saying really needs updating) that someday, you'll have a few extra bucks and you'll go to Sadowskys site, or Laklands, or Overwater (My latest add to the GAS list) and think about it.
There's no smileys in there though, so I'm worried.
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