After obtaining a Ric 360/12 (12 string) 2 years ago I have been on the Ric site. Its a fun place, and they are congenial to other Ric players, especially new recruits. There are a lot of bass players there. My own questions to the bass players have revealed that the playing style, and looks of the Ric basses were a big consideration (if anyone would actually care to admit it).
Think of what "we" grew up with. It was pretty much one bass sound = Fender bass through an Ampeg B-15. Very uniform, until we got to hear when Casady & Lesh migrated over to Bisonics. But there was another sound that appeared around then, first via Entwhistle using Rotos on any number of basses and then Chris Squier.
Yeah, Ricky basses look cool, but I'd wager that 90% of guys my age bought Ricks because of Yes.
In my case, I made the switch from my Jack Bruce inspired EB-3 to Rickenbacker in 1976 partly because of Yes. But also partly because the '68 4005 bass hanging in the pawnshop window looked very, very lovely. Like the bass version of a 360-12! But also because I realized that rock music was changing and I wanted to play punk. A Ricky was outstanding for that.
A long-winded way of saying looks were not all that a decisive factor for most of us.... though I guess those Rickenbackers do have a nice look.
I still use one, for the sound.
