Beginner Bass scales question

So I was watching a 15 year old play guitar (not bass) the other day
and was amazed at how well they could improvise while playing. I
asked him later if he like, knew exactly how every note sounded all
over the neck and just played what was in is head he he said,
"kinda... I just know all the scales"

I've always been inspired by how well some bassists (like Flea for
example) have the ability to play the same way. I took a quick look
online about some bass scales and was blows away by how many different
scales there are (not keys, but actual scales/shapes).

Do professional bassists know all these? It must take a lifetime to
learn?!?
.

Relevant Pages

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