There is room for both, Fender's design ingenuity in reapproaching the concept of a bass stringed instrument for the invention of the electric bass guitar and Gibson's more daring and desperation-fueled policy of "this didn't work, let's try this then" in the aftermath of '51.
Leo gave us bassists a rich sounding E string through his choice of scale. There is a reason why short, medium and even Ric-scale only cater for miniscule minorities. Likewise, the - obscenely utilitarian - bolt-on concept has left an imprint in the psyche of that great many of bassists who don't give a damn about how their bass sounds above the 12th fret because they never go there anyway, but appreciate added bolt-on attack for sheer audibility at the 5th fret.
That said, Gibson already built credible P type basses 40 (Grabber) to 30 (Victory) years ago while Fender keeps us waiting with their take on a TBird. But let's not be unfair, perfecting the art of drilling four holes into an inert ash or alder body is one thing, getting a set or bolt-on neck right quite another. And perhaps one day, even Fender will begin to be enlightened by realization that there are perhaps more elegant and artisan ways to compensate for lack of string to nut pressure than the clamping down of strings. Alas! Though, the mystery of the angled headstock doed not unfold to everyone!!!
: - )