So I watched the Michael Rhodes clip, and honestly heard nothing remarkable about the bass tone - although I was listening on my computer.
The thing about a Sadowsky or other boutique Fender style bass is not so much that it sounds different, it just really optimizes the traditional sound in a way a regular Fender cannot. I remember last week when I heard KJung on his Alleva-Coppolo, it sounded like a Jazz, but it was one incredible jazz.
Jazzdogg, I like the way you put it. The best is nice, but I too would like the eat and not lose my house when I retire because I just had to have the coolest gear.