I think 12 string basses are cool ....but for me...they tend to get muddy...swishy....I've played Tom Petersson's Electrical Guitar Company 12ver on stage through his rig during soundcheck...as well as his Peacock Waterstone 12ver....Nice instruments, especially the EGC...but I tell ya...It still has the tendency to get drowned out and muddy. I like the B12A acoustic body 12ver the best...BUT.....I have Tom's Old Candy Apple Red Hamer Thunderbird 8 string bass, the only T Bird 8 string Hamer ever made, and I can play that baby (with a Pick) on ANY song. Period. It cuts through like a knife, but can also sound Like a Sherman tank!! VERY versatile for me...But then again...Chip Z'Nuff from Enuff Z Nuff plays his 12ver with his fingers...So..I really think it all boils down to what each indibidual band likes. My last band, which I left, didn't like the 8 on most songs. The guitar player preferred a bassy tone as opposed to my Cut throat Crunch Buzz Saw bass tone. Whether a T bird 4 String or a T bird 8, I have a raw dirty tone....No effects.....Just raw dirt.
So....I too have my issues with any bass that is other than 4 8 or 12...Like 5vers...I don't get it....But however I do dig those Fender Bass VI's!!! That what makes us all so COOL!!! We like different basses!!!