[b]Fender[/b]: Reliable, solid, does the job and suits everything. The vanilla of basses, but who doesn't like vanilla ?
[b]Musicman[/b]: Battling it out with Fender but never winning, high quality basses but perhaps overpriced. Often misjudged as not being versatile.
[b]Lakland[/b]: Taking Fender's designs and improving the quality, nothing innovative but suits the bassist looking for a super Fender.
[b]Ibanez[/b]: Some great designs but seems to lack the kudos of the US manufacturers. Mainly played by metallers.
[b]Yamaha[/b]: Much like it's Japanese brother, Yamaha make some cracking instruments but they lack the history and street cred to be played by many bassists beyond their starter years.
[b]Warwick[/b]: The sound of wood ? Original designs (let's not mention the Streamer though !) and new models frequently. Chunky neck doesn't suit everyone, definitely a Marmite bass.
[b]Sadowsky[/b]: For Fender fans with too much cash .
[b]Washburn[/b]: Nothing wrong with them, good starter basses but I wouldn't be seen dead with one.