So I'm getting a bass guitar ... any advice?

Memorize this if you haven't already for guitar

I'm going to assume, from previous conversations, you're getting a bass more so because you need something for recording rather than wanting to be the next Billy Sheehan.
Just going through a lot of scale exercises as you would on a guitar or whatever helps, obviously instead picking with a pick just via the fingers.
It's obvious, but just record yourself playing and listen to picking and fretting hand consistency.
Be wary about playing the F Major scale starting on the first fret, 3 note per string pattern ascending/descending starting on the E string, because that is quite a big stretch on a scale length like that. It's entirely possible, even for a guy with medium sized hands like me, but I don't recommend you make it part of your daily regime unless you want to injure yourself. Of course you can learn to do it via the low B string and ascending from there.
When you play 3 note per string stuff, try to stick with A major (when starting on the E string) and higher, still a good stretch but nothing that will risk injury.

And why not learn YYZ? No one says you have to learn it all full speed first off. You can slow the song down by 30 per cent of whatever, and learn it that way.
FWIW, my friend has that exact same bass, they have decent playability for what they are, you should enjoy it.

Negoba wrote: Memorize this if you haven't already for guitar   -----flat 2nd---------2nd------------Minor 3rd-----Maj 3rd---4th-------tritone-------5th -----Minor 6th------Major 6th-----Minor 7th-----Maj 7th----Root----flat 2nd------2nd -----Minor 3rd------Major 3d-----4th--------------tritone-----5th------Minor 6th----Major 6th -----Minor 7th------Major 7th-----Root-----------flat 2nd----2nd-----Minor 3rd----Major3rd   You probably already know it.....but if you don't it will change your life.

Thanks! Yes, I already know it ... I've been practicing scales for about 20 years. I agree, it's very important to know the intervals, especially for bass lines. I've always been consciously listening to to the bass lines in my favorite music.

I think my main problem will be the finger picking/plucking technique.

Err Mike, The Hot For Teacher stretches aren't that big anyway, at least not compared to a 1st-3rd-5th fret stretch on a bass