UPDATE: I decided--since I hadn't bought a bass yet this month--to go ahead and pick up yet another 5-string (I've tried six times in the past). I went with an older MTD Kingston Artist 5 that I found. I've had a couple of the 4 string models, and they were great, so based on that I pulled the trigger. The fact that it was less than $400 didn't hurt either! I'm not a fan of the transparent yellow finish over such a plain looking piece of wood, but I'll refinish it it I decide it's a keeper. Who knows, maybe the 7th time is the charm?
