I plays basses which have the tones I like regardless of where I turn the knobs, and unlike over 90% of other bass players, I know how all those controls work, but rather than obsess over a trend, I just practice more and put the knobs where I like them.
Well said. The silly search for "tone" offends me with its obsessive-compulsive elements.
Play a bass you like and adjust the bass and amp so you like the sound. It doesn't have to be the same sound every time, it just needs to sound like you.
