I think this is the best thing I've heard in this thread. Music is about making songs not about throwing a bunch of notes and technically challenging things together. They may sound awesome and way better but I believe that there are bands and things that only somewhat experienced and enlightened musicians can truly appreciate.
So you don't like Wentz's music (you could make the same case for mark hoppus bass from blink182)... ok. You don't have to like it. So you don't like his playing. He sells records and that's what its about. Making music people can like and be entertained to. KISS knew that a long time ago and Fall Out Boy know it now.
Who are we to judge who gets his name put on a mass marketed instrument? If you want a bass that goes specifically to innovating players go buy boutique, elitist, like the attitude many tbers have toward who should get a signature bass. Buy a stanley clarke alembic or jhon enwhistle alembic spider, if you're up for the challenge buy michael mannrig's zon hyperbass. But be sure to get ready to take out a big chunk out of your kids' college fund for it... i think a stanley clarke model goes somewhere around 10 grand and can run up as high as 20something.
Mass marketed instruments will make signatures for mass marketed players, people popular, that will in some part get people interested enough in one to pick it up. Geddy Lee and Rush are very popular and thats what I think got geddy his bass. Not his technical savy. Jaco was very popular and legendary and thats what probably got him his bass.
Ask a kid into a music store.... or hell a mid 20s guy for that matter with little information on bass playing or just starting out, which bass he'd rather buy or like... what some of the bands he likes artists use or a michael mannrig zon bass?
i think the point is clear...
