That is a lot of cash for that bass. My Exploiter cost about the same new, difference being is that it doesn't have a graphite neck, no VAT, etc. I ordered mine a bit under 6 years ago, and there have been price increases as well.
As for the controls, my Exploiter has two master volumes on the lower horn with a switch to choose between them, and the pan pot for pickup selection is there as well. The other controls (v/f/Q) are all better (my opinion, anyway) placed as a result. When I was going through the build process Mica and I discussed several control placement scenarios, and we arrived at what I have today, which works well for me at least.