**Rick Beato posted a short bass tips video yesterday. Very fundamental stuff that often gets overlooked.
**Rick is a former record producer. Has his own studio.
Bio
That is one nice-looking thumb rest, and an impressive shop you have there!
I’m really glad you posted to this thread. What do you think of the Yamaha I’m looking at? (Don’t think you can just show off your beautiful work without answering a few questions!)
Also, Sweetwater doesn’t have the color I like, but some smaller music stores may have it – anyone ever work with Island Music in Maryland or Heidi Music in Wisconsin? Or, should I stick with SW?
Have you looked on Reverb?
You may find the exact model you’ve picked out and in the right color.
A lot of music stores list on Reverb. Use the search filter to select brand and condition (new or used)
They have the one from Island in Maryland listed, at least. What does that mean? Does Reverb screen sellers or back any sales?
I’ve bought from Reverb several times. Sellers have ratings just like eBay.
I’ve bought from Chicago Music Exchange. It’s a well known store.
I feel more comfortable buying New equipment from stores. Used from individuals with a good rating.
Reverbs protection policy
It’s similar to eBay.
You also have PayPal’s protection policy for Sales on either auction site. Assuming you use that form of payment.
I’m this close to pulling the trigger on that Yamaha TRBX-604FM in the dark red color that I like. I like the active-passive switch, the LED low battery warning, and the idea of playing with active pickups. Seems like you could shape the sound how you want. When in passive mode, the treble knob becomes a tone knob.
Am I a jerk for not buying from Sweetwater? I would, but they don’t have the color I want, and don’t have any shipments arriving anytime soon.
Tell me why I’m being silly for not getting the Fender or Squier. Tell me I’m a jerk for not buying from SW.
This bass seems to get good reviews for sound and playability, although all basses I’ve looked at get very positive reviews – very different from camera equipment.
Happy to oblige - You, sir, are a silly jerk!
Sorry, no opins on the brands/vendor. 
If it were me, I’d still wait till I was able to put my hands on one. Maybe I’d look to rent in the interim. JMO.
IMHO you shouldn’t hesitate to buy what you want. A Bass is a purchase you’ll be living with for a long time. I wouldn’t settle for a color you’re not happy with.
Sweetwater usually keeps a good stock. Right now it’s low. That’s their problem to solve
Yamaha makes a very good bass. They’ve been popular since the 80’s.
Usually the factory setup is pretty good. A new bass should play good out of the box. Do you have a local Guitar shop that can setup the bass? You may want to get one after the virus settles down. There’s no rush.
Hey, I’ve already given you permission to buy an axe 3 times in this thread, don’t look at me. 
The only proviso I’d make for you is to look for a good return policy. Sweetwater lets you play the bass for a month with returns no questions asked (but you pay the shipping both ways if you return). Last I looked so did Guitar Center / Musicians Friend. Basically you can rent that bass for a month, cheap. Keep it if you like it. Other shops also do the same, but you should ask specifically what the policy is.
This Island place had free shipping and you pay for one-way shipping if you return it. At least, that’s what I got from a phone call today.
Then get it in writing and pull the pin already. 
that’s four times now
Ritter are you looking at the Bass from Empire Guitars?
I agree it has a really nice finish. I like a Natural finish. 5 star seller review.
I’d try and see if they’d sweeten the deal. Throw in a free set of D’Addario strings. It can’t hurt to ask. Either way it’s a good price with free shipping.
I don’t know whether I need more friends like you or fewer!
Just pulled the pin! I ordered from Island Music – seem to be pretty nice on the phone, I have 30 days to send it back if I don’t like it, just pay for my own shipping.
I’ll report back with how much I love it, because otherwise I’ll have too much cognitive dissonance.
Yay!
Hope you enjoy the new toy, Rittersport!
Thanks! And, thanks to everyone for all the help!
I’m going to buy a nice wide strap from Sweetwater, just to pay them back for the help they gave me, too. I assume a new bass would come with strings, right? Should I get strings from SW as well? I don’t even know what strings I like, but I’m trying to play faster, so thinner, I guess?
Your instrument will definitely come with strings from the factory. I’d play them and see how they feel. New strings actually annoy some people, too bright. There was a poster on here that would apply chapstick to new bass strings to dull them up properly.
New instruments come with strings. I had suggested earlier getting a free extra set for purchasing the bass.
Bass Strings are a very personal choice. Flats or Rounds? Tape Wound? Lights, Medium or Heavy? a lot of choices.
It’ll often change with experience. I’m still experimenting with strings. I change my bass strings at least once a year. I like seeing how the feel and tone changes with different strings.
I haven’t been keeping up with the thread, but did anyone see the recent news linking Yamaha basses w/ coronavirus?
:o
No personal experience, but mighty sweet looking.
Should have the capacity to take you retty far in any number of directions.
Play the heck outta it!
I remember when I played bass guitar, and I thought strings were pricey.
Now that I play upright … just dropped $320 for a new set of guts. :smack:
Jazz/fusion virtuoso Stanley Clarke plays a short-scale bass. I’m not sure why. It can’t be because he can’t handle the long scale – he’s well over six feet tall, with (probably) proportionate hands, and he plays the standup bass, too.