I think most bass players like to keep their setup relatively simple and want an instant good sound. Bringing the Axe fx to the gig makes it somewhat more complicated. Doesn't mean it can't sound good but the results are less predicable than with an amp. If you are using a lot of effects though the Axe fx might be your best choice.
Exactly, and I couldn't agree with you more WRT the AxeFxII being a top choice for bassists who rely heavily on lots of special effects.
An example of the frustration with the AxeFxII is that there has NEVER (to my knowledge, and I'm happy to stand corrected) been a single STOCK preset (out of the 300+ provided) dedicated for bass. It sends a pretty clear message to bassists when the manufacturer of a product includes "bass" amp models + cabs, but has not offered at least a handful of serviceable presets showcasing them...for the entire LIFE SPAN of the AxeFx (Standard, Ultra, II, II+, or the AX8) product line (10 years?).
I'll grant you that for many new users, stock presets are a crap shoot as to whether they work or not, but at least they provide some sort of starting point, and demonstrate that someone actually has taken the time to care enough about the bass amp/cab/fx to provide a preset. Is it really that difficult do call up the SVBass, one of the cabs, and then a handful of common bass effects to be switched in and out (comp, drive, chorus, pitch shift chorus, octave, small room/ambience, etc.)? And because it is bass guitar, split/parallel path routing and wet/dry blending can be the key to get to the next level. Many bassists simply don't understand the techniques and are obviously not being supplied with a road map from FAS. Thankfully, you have guys like
@SeeD doing the leg work for FAS, worthy of much praise, but still not "officially" embraced by FAS to the point any user-created presets (some really good ones!) are considered for inclusion as a STOCK preset.
I do recall
@Admin M@ describing a few cases where top pros in the industry thought the AxeFx was stellar for bass, but then offered no further guidance as to exactly the manner these professionals implemented the AxeFx. I understand that there may be some confidentiality involved, but bassists who have been looking for "next level" tones (and struggling to get there) would be very appreciative to have a bit more insight as to what made it stellar for bass in their opinion. Or perhaps it is so simple-stupid that it would come across as embarrassingly condescending. We don't really know because there's never been an engaged conversation or "bass tone showcase" from Fractal itself to demonstrate how THEY feel the AxeFx is best used for 100% modeled bass tones.
Other than that, I have no opinions. LOL. ;-)