I don't agree, especially in bass world. Any number of smaller / boutique manufacturers have come from nowhere and made a splash. Sincerely, good luck with your project.
Just started getting into this Trogly chap's channel. It's mostly guit*r, but he does the occasional bass thing, especially the MIJ oddities.
Check it out:
And, while where at it, here's his take on the Katana.
When I went fretless, I didn't think about it too much. I just picked it up and played it.*
*Important note: I'm not trying to cop Jaco parts or owt like that. Had that been the case, I suspect the transition would have been less successful.