The salutory learning point for me was my Rickenbacker. I had always loved the look and on top of that some of my favourites bassists played them. After 4 years of squirrelling away spare cash I eventually saved up enough to be able to afford a lovely Jetglo 4003, as apart from Mr Squire's white one there is no other colour - ducks behind the sofa...
The neck was sweet and stable, the bass was in grest condition and I could live with the frankly weird bridge, but the real nightmare was that I couldn't find a comfortable position for my right hand. As a finger style player taking the pickup cover off would have worked, but in doing that you loose the whole look imo, so after much agonising I sold it (at a modest profit which helped a bit).
When I was trying it out the first time (about 30 minutes or so of playing) I was not focussed on this in particular, more worried about drooling over it pre-purchase. Now I try to be more objective and try to use all my senses when afflicted by GAS.
Colour wise my preference is for natural wood, but as only one of my basses is finished in this way I will now claim that I am cured of the "must have one" thing - I hope . I'm not a big fan of blue basses or guitars for some reason, completely irrational I know.