I think as long as Gibson has influence over Epiphone, Epiphone will never reach its full potential as a bass manufacturer.
Gibson also never came anywhere close to where it could have been as a bass manufacturer.
Many times over the years, they would introduce a new, and different style bass (the RD series, the Victory) then, not give these new models sufficient time to catch on, label them as failures, and quickly discontinue them.
I know any business is in business to make money, and I never studied business or economics, but from my point of view, Gibson seemed to treat their bass models as red-headed step children, almost expecting them to fail.
What would I have done differently?
Polled bass players as much as possible, and if there seemed as if there was enough interest, offer certain bass models on a pre-paid arrangement.
I know, this would not have been so easy years ago but today, with the internet, instantaneous E-mails, and electronic funds tranfers?
But, what do I know?
I want both Epiphone and Gibson to succeed.
Mike