Musical snobbery (and instrument snobbery) is utterly pointless and entirely against what should be the spirit of music making.
I’ve played carved basses badly, ply basses badly and even aluminium basses badly - but I’ve had fun with other people while doing so, which is what music is about.
For the vast majority of people and playing situations a ply bass is more than adequate. (The 100% ply David Gage Czech Ease bass I sold is going to be used on a global arena tour playing to more people in one day than many classical orchestras will reach in a year.)
Get bass. Play bass. Love bass.
If you can afford a fully carved bass then buy one. But many of us started on (and remain fans of) basic beaten up ply basses.