Does a new bass "break in" over time.

[andydye]

The feel of basses alters more over time than the sound which I agree only really changes with string vitality...

Rosewood fingerboards change more than maple ones as they absorb your skin oils and sweat, a new rosewood fingerboard feels a lot different to one I've been playing for a couple of years...

Ebony doesn't really change either...wenge does a bit...

After a while of playing a particular bass it feels like home and a new one if the same would feel different as would someone else's version of the same in my experience

 

[SJan3]

Well, Yamaha believes that wood's tonal characteristics change over time as it is subjected to vibrations. As such, they actually have a process on their high end BB series that speeds up this tonal "maturity" and yields a more open tone.
I do believe that my older basses vibrate more freely and yield a fuller tone with more blossom. This is, of course, my feeble and humble opinion but I do honestly detect a difference between say my "04 P Bass and a new one in terms of ability to vibrate more freely.