i happe n to own the 5-string fretless walnut top version of this. it's the only small-body bass i have these days. the lightest one as well. makes it kind of a neckdriver but sometimes it's a relief to play something (relatively) light and petite that still feels like her big (really, really big) sisters.
if ya wanna get on the alembic neck-thru bass train this is probably as cheep as yer gonna be able to do it these days it seems. don't see too much lace wood. looks like an easy repair. i'm jsut sayin'