It really depends on the song, does it not? What type of over all feel one is aiming at would be my criteria... 😋

Mike. Fair point well made.

Hofner.

If all your hands can get from a Fender Jazz bass is a dull thud you don’t need a Ricky. Just saying.

I am afraid I am both and more-horses for courses

I will always think of the 70s as being my decade and back then I was aware of a friendly rivalry between fender players and Ricky players. I guess we have all outgrown such childish things.

The go-to bass for me the past almost 40 years has been my Peavey. Say what you will about Peavey but that thing could survive a nuclear blast (and lots of spilled beer.)

Jgurner: I hear you. Other basses are available. I have it on good authority that Aria basses are excellent value.

I have only ever used a P-bass, so I can't make a comparison. I will say, though, that the P-bass just always seems to get the job done.

My wife asks "why so many guitars" and the answer is.. not every guitar voice is right for every song... and it is the same with bass for me... not trying to be snide... but I have employed several different bass tones through the years... some fat and bottom heavy and some sharp to cut through a mix

Oh, I consider my fretless Fender Jazz bass a thing of joy and beauty.

Each bass has different capabilities, for sure: The strong fundamental of a Fender P fits into so many situations that it has been long considered an industry standard. I have a split pickup on my heavily modified Vantage fretless which I enjoy playing with for ballads, downplaying the attack by playing with the flat side of the thumb in the middle of the string. Lately I've been experimenting with wearing knit gloves on my left hand to lessen friction to be able to slide between notes or do octave glissandi. I also have a Fender Jazz Bass which has quite a knarly attack with the bridge pickup selected although admittedly short of the pick driven Rickki tone of Chris Squier. While I'm at it, I also enjoy the extended range of my active five string and the ability to bow my upright . . . I guess tone is more or less dictated by what you hear in your head which is unique to every individual depending on their level of experience. There is a tremendous range of tone possible with any fixed amp/monitor set up by using various right hand techniques (alternating index and middle fingers, using a pick, slap, finger sticks, thumb, strumming etc.) as well as choosing the spot on the string to play given the bridge to fret string length. An interesting discussion, thanks, @Smileygeezer

Setting aside the difference in tone, the different neck cross sections are to me very noticeable. I know some people just don’t like the thicker, chunkier Ricky neck but I love it.

Bilingual :) Mostly play P Bass, but sure love the amazing sound of Rickenbacker 4001. Agree with Wyndsok that it depends on the song.