Discussion is relevant to a lot of us in the current climate I expect. But it's not just down to affordability.
If we look back to Jaco Pastorius, he only used two or three essentially similar basses, Rotosound strings, a few specific effects occasionally, and primarily Acoustic amps.
There are advantages to simplifying what you are working with and to really master them.
OTOH, there is so much great gear around today and so many sounds to get our attention, so as consumers, we suffer GAS attacks!
I've only got one bass that I use, with a backup, but it doesn't stop me looking !