I’m almost scared to try one. Guitars too…I mean, that’s the bass I want to want, and I’ve a terrible weakness for a twelve-string jangle but I’ve never played a Rick. I kind of feel like I don’t want to ask the girl out in case she says no…
amazon sells basses including Squier and Fender. They pay return shipping too. Right now they are allowing most returns up to June 1st.
They pay return shipping on defective items. Something you just decided you don’t care for, they don’t.
First, do you prefer a Jazz Bass or P Bass? The Neck is different and they sound different. Btw, a Jazz Bass is fine for any style music. It’s not just for jazz music. 
Many brands & models are knock offs of either a Jazz Bass or P Bass.
Another big consideration is weight. A Bass can be a boat anchor around your neck. Players get back, shoulder, and neck injuries from years of playing a 11 lb bass.
Sweetwater weighs every guitar and bass. The weight is posted on the instrument’s web page.
I’d suggest staying under 9 lbs.
I really like Ibanez. This one is 9lbs 8oz. Too heavy IMHO
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BTB20TH6BTL--ibanez-limited-edition-20th-anniversary-btb20th6-6-string-brown-topaz-burst-low-gloss
8 lbs 11oz. Your back and neck will appreciate the difference in weight.
I like this 4 string. Pickups look like a jazz bass style. They’re Aguilar pickups
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR2400FNL--ibanez-premium-sr2400-florid-natural-low-gloss
P/J pickups 9lbs 1 oz
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TMB505MG--ibanez-standard-tmb505-metallic-gray
Anybody: Should I buy a new musical instrument?
Me: Yes
Not true. They post the weight of some instruments, usually pricier ones. Lesser instruments they don’t. I don’t know what the threshold is. e.g. Squier Jazz Bass ($399), no weight or serial #. Fender Vintera Bass ($949), weight and serial# shown.
They don’t post the weight on a Hofner bass, but sources say about 4 pounds.
I havn’t run into this problem with my own Shopping at Sweetwater.
Interesting that they don’t weigh every instrument.
I wouldn’t buy an instrument without knowing the weight. It can vary a lot. Dryer wood is usually lighter.
I have back issues and the weight is a very big deal.
Sounds like you should pick the brains of your brothers for their recommendations.
Higher end basses tend to use better electronics, have better fit and finish, better tuning stability, use nicer woods, have superior parts and hopefully just play and sound better. That is not always true.
For light weight you want a short scale and/or semi-hollow body bass.
I have an old Musicmaster short scale bass which is what Squire was before it was Squire. It is light enough and plays ridiculously easy.
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=musicmaster%20bass
If I were going to upgrade my bass I would go as high end as I could reasonably afford. In general, I have been much happier with higher end instruments than lower end ones.
The brands I would look at initially are Vigier, Zon, Suhr, Ernie Ball and Willcox.
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=Saber%20Bass
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=Zon%20bass
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=vigier%20Bass
The Willcox Saber is supposed to be pretty lightweight. The Zon’s sound incredible. I have a Vigier electric guitar and it plays wonderfully. They are well known for their basses. Suhr makes high quality guitars, with plekked, stainless steel frets and nice pickups, so I would guess that their basses would be very good as well. Ernie Ball is famous for their Stingray bass but they are heavy.
I know someone up thread had a bad experience with Yamaha but I bought an entry level Yamaha bass for my friend, for his birthday and he really likes it.
Some people are modding Ibanez Mirkos with better electronics and are happy about them. It doesn’t get much lighter, except for an Ashbory or Steinberger. I would love a Steinberger but I would think those tuners would be a serious pain!
One short scale that sometimes gets mentioned is the Gibson SG bass.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BASGSHCCH–gibson-sg-standard-bass-heritage-cherry
Good luck.
Oops, I got your post mixed up with ZonexandScout’s post. He mentioned his brothers being bass players.
Looking over some of the Ibanez 4 string basses on Sweetwater: some of them are surprisingly lightweight.
I would take advantage of Sweetwater’s setup service if I bought one there.
Thanks, everyone! I knew this was the place to ask. I posted a thread on Talkbass and it didn’t get any responses. 
You all have given me a lot to think about! I’ll do some research and report back if I pull the trigger. Like any other passion, there are so many choices in every possible price range.
Can’t recall ever hearing a picker complain that he/she bought TOO GOOD of an instrument, but I could count off any number of instance of the opposite. What you might think is TOO MUCH instrument for you today, likely will not bee too much in a year or 2.
Re: no response in Talkbass - wait a bit. Or post your own follow-up. My impression is those guys on the BG side will debate endlessly over what they had for breakfast!
On edit - just looked, and there are nearly 60 active threads in the main forum THIS MORNING! So - yeah, those guys will talk. 
I didn’t readily see your thread. What name did you post under, and in which forum?
RitterSport, of course! It’s already on the fifth page. I wasn’t sure if I’m allowed to bump a thread over there.
Hopefully, it’s OK to link from there to here:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/should-i-buy-an-new-electric-bass-any-recommendations.1458565/
They’re probably tired of questions like mine by now. This thread is so helpful already, so I’m not sure if I really need any answers over there.
Sure you can bump. But I’ll do it for ya.
Scott’s Bass is a excellent resource for learning and improving your skills. Scott teaches a lot of the classes. He also brings in pro players to teach mini courses. For example he brought in a guest teacher for a mini course on Motown style.
The forum is very active at Scott’s. The students encourage each other. It’s quite a fun place to learn.
Scott was a pro musician for many years. He developed Dystonia, a nerve condition that makes his hand shake. Wearing a glove allows him to continue playing. He can’t risk playing full time anymore and started teaching.
Dystonia is quite interesting. There’s no cure and it can get worse. Pressure on the hand stops the trembling. A tight glove allows people to function normally.
Why would someone mount the rest below the strings?
I’m a guitar player and decided to try a bass. I found an inexpensive G&L on Craigslist and have enjoyed it. I use the front PU as my thumb rest for finger picking.
I have bought other instruments and amps from Sweetwater and definitely recommend them if going new. They used to list all the weights and detailed photos of even lower-priced instruments like Squier (some still have them). I’m wondering if it C-19 related that they aren’t currently doing that for all?
I’d wondered the same thing. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Nah, it’s been hit or miss for years, but there seems to be some lower price threshold where they don’t bother, and above that they do. Or perhaps they sell so many cheaper instruments there’s no way in hell they can unbox, weigh, photo and rebox all of them.
Glad to see you are confused as well. I sat down with my bass and couldn’t figure out the why.
I guess I haven’t looked at Sweetwater that much, so maybe it has always been that way. I actively try NOT to look at Sweetwater, if you know what I mean.
How about a Ritter?