I have to laugh at all this nonsense.
Some people can hear the difference and some people can't. I would love to be able to NOT hear the difference, it would make life easier.
Applying too much science to it is also a bit pointless.
Everyone should gig a Steinberger bass, just once. Once is all you need to know that, the material an electric instrument is made of, does indeed make a massive difference to the tone. Those of us that have had a Steinberger ( a proper one) will understand what I mean about the truest fundamental note.
me, personally, my number 1 P bass is alder, rosewood board. All my favourire sounding P basses have been this, except my first which had a maple board. I have a great band video, shot in 1988/89 using this maple board P bass. It sounds like a maple board and alder body P bass. Slightly glassier is the sound than the rosewood board bass.
I don't particularly like ash bodied P basses but I do have one with a fretless maple board. It lacks the punch of alder.
Now, an ash bodied telecaster (guitar) with a rosewood board really floats my boat, but a maple boarded one will cut your head of at 30 yards
Enjoy everyone and happy Friday