Just an update on the search. Tracked down a Ken Smith dealer in Dallas (harder than you might think) and went and played two high end 5 string Smiths, neck-thru and bolt-on. They are nice basses, but I just couldn't get excited about them and even through a very nice Eden rig, the tonal palatte seemed so limited compared to other basses, particularly Alembics. Olie was kind enough to let me come play his Balance K 5 string just to be doubly sure, and that Alembic magic was there the moment I picked it up . . . so I bought a 5 string Mark King Balance K from Bass Central two days before Christmas!
Pics and description are posted in the Swap Shop and Wish Lists topic under Wanted, Wishing, and Watching in a post named Wanted Mark King with Balance K Body Style. Enjoy.
Thanks to Rory and Olie and everyone else for their input and help in finding the next great bass!
