... you know what i'm changing my answer...
i've come to realize that a pinoy artist i look up to has influence me in terms of buying a bass..
i remember back in high school -- after seeing razorback perform in our school, i started wanting a wood finish bass similar to what master louie was using -- didn't realize it's a 'wick; my bass is currently wood finish hehehe!
then just last year, i saw louie using his dame bass with natural finish == that made me wanna buy the exact same model
hahaha i guess i'm influenced by a local artist after all...