Zz top bass player has his tongue in cheek hold my beer bass moment in concert on a 17 string bass he found.
Looks like fun is still alive and well in the group of elder rock states men.
Oh it’s a real instrument. There are guys who will blow your mind playing one of those “Extended range” guitars/basses.
I have a nice 6 string bass. That’s as far as I think I need to go on the extended range thing. I much prefer the super fast 4 string neck on my Spector.