"All amplified instruments have a volume control on them..."

"...if the player has a realistic idea of what kinds of stuff one sounds good on and can control his impulses with regard to the volume knob."

Be it noted that maturity may be well defined as that age when one realizes that volume knobs also operate in a counter-clockwise direction!

On the subject of basses; I have a very nice acoustic bass guitar but it simply does not have the volume to hold its own in a multi-guitar session. So the electric goes with me. It's unusual that I'll go to any session without knowing some of the players; but if it's a first-time session for me, I'll just go in and listen for a bit and then ask if I can bring the technology to bear.

Sidenote: While setting up for one of the esteemed Mr. Fielding's radio shows, I asked if my bass was too loud. A (mock) amazed look passed over him as he said, "Good Lord, the next thing you'll be asking is if you're playing too many notes!"