Hi graeme,
You are right man...
The Space Bass came after he created his own band. I was not aware of Bootsy during the era of James Brown. In those day's, I was checking Jimi Hendrix. It was not until I started listening to the Funkadelics and their Rock-forms of soul when I understood Bootsy as a serious on-time James Brown bassman.
However, as the story goes, on his first solo album, Bootsy surprised me with his brand new bass, and he stuck with me.
In those funk-years Bootsy's took the bass: front and center like no other performer I'd ever seen, and it was good.
I love Bootsy for it, because the bass is so much more than what most people understanding were (myself included)...
Then when I was aware of Stanley Clarke, I had already accepted a lead bass bass man.
So, when I heard Bootsy play and seen him live at the Oakland Colosseum, I was blown away because of the look, and sounds of his bass effects. It was hard thunder and smooth like rain...
But for me to go out and buy a space bass, it would be a collection and a conversation piece; but as far as playing them, only Bootsy looks great with them.
I love a plain wood and metal...bass You heard of a company called: Alembic?