So not to highjack this thread or anything, but let me pose this question/scenario:
Lots of times if I go see local bands in my area, I will see someone that plays in a band, that is technically an extremely good player, but they don't have the passion or the heart in it, and it comes across. On the flip side, I will see someone who's maybe not technically nearly as good, but has passion and plays with their heart on their sleeve.
Here's my question, do you think that these two types of people correlate to the two types of people that hold on to basses (or instruments in general) for sentimental reasons, and those that just see them as a tool? As in, the people that have the passion, have a sentimental connection to their instrument, and vice versa? I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything, and I hope I don't offend anyone here, I'm just curious is all.
Me personally, I do have sentimental instruments. I have my first student trombone that got me into music in the first place, that holds a very sentimental place in my heart. The first bass I bought, the first bass I built (well assembled is more like it), my Grandpa's old acoustic and banjo, things like that. I do have some that don't hold as much of a sentimental place that I might be willing to part with, but at the same time, they fill a need, so unless I'm upgrading, they're not going anywhere.