This is true. Assuming, that Sadowsky is your tone goal. Like I mentioned previously, Sadowsky wasn't for me tone wise. But for others, it's the holy grail. I will say this, and take it FWIW.....the people/bar patrons you play for can't tell a Rondo from a Fodera tone wise. And frankly, they font give two ***** what you play. As long as the beer's cold, there are girls in the bar, and the music sounds good and isn't too loud; the placard on your headstock is the last thing they will notice.
However, if there are musicians in the club; then yes, that little placard might affect their opinion of you and their opinion of your tone. Having great tone and the appropriate gear might be the difference between fitting in with the right band, or not getting the gig at all. I failed an audition once because I brought my Lakland 5594 deluxe to the audition. The band was kinda a Wilco wannabe original group. Great sound, songs, talented musicians. They wanted a 4 string player. Prob wanted a vintage J bass or P bass. They didn't know I had a USA Lakland Hollowbody 4 sitting at home:roll eyes: It kinda pissed me off when I saw their craigslist add a few days after my audition that said "no 5 string players". I didn't bother telling them that I had 4 bangers at home. I won't play in a band where some guitar player dictates what kinda bass I play. Hell, maybe he looked at my headstock placard and thought "what the hell is a Lakland? Maybe it's some cheap $200 musicians friend guitar". IMO, I sound like me no matter what bass I play. So having a 4 banger would have made no difference in my tone. Let alone, having a Fender.
Additionally, I think your amp plays more of an influence on your tone than XYZ bass will. Granted, different pup configurations/style (MM, humbucker, single coils, etc) will affect the tone of a bass guitar. I would venture to say that a passive Fender, Sadosky, Lull, Lakland, Alleva, etc. will pretty much sound the same in a mix played through the same amp than most would like to admit. Again; I'm talking all passive, blind listening test. Active preamps, start to change things a bit. But even with the preamp engaged, I still feel a J bass will still pretty much sound like a J bass in any given mix. Again, I think the biggest difference is your amp. This is where the rubber hits the road so to speak.
One other factor people fail to remember is the influence of "you". As I stated previously, I sound like "me" no matter what I play. Along with my amp, my fingers are the next biggest influence over my tone. The way I play/approach/attack a bass has bigger impact over my tone than any bass build could ever have. Again, a MM will sound like a MM, a J will wound like a J; but chances are in a mix both basses would sound more similar than not if I played both basses on two different tracks and had somebody do a blind listening test.
As I stated previously, I own a Lakland 5594. I have owned this bass since 01' I bought her off flea bay used for $1500 (she's a 99' model). She came with a std body. I had Dan and crew install the deluxe body shortly after I bought her. I got $2 bills wrapped up in her. I am not opposed to buying expensive gear (I've owned Zon, Modulus, Elrick, Sadowsky, LEJ, in the past). Usually in any given band, I am the guy with the most expensive tastes. I can thank TB for that!! I guess it all boils down what feels the best in my hands. My Metro felt horrible to me. I couldn't get rid of that bass fast enough. My 99' Lakland is the std for what all other basses I buy are judged by.
