Couldn't help but post a bit of Wooten in defence (It's Vic on bass and his brother Reg on guitar), there's certainly a bit more than smoke on the water that can be done. In the end you can experiment and create on any instrument (but as with any instrument the best way to learn is eventually to play with other people).
Personally I've always just loved the sound of the bass
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YouTube - victor wooten awesome thump battle
Couldnt get embeding to work