Bought my Distillate 5 from Danno just going off the pics in his profile and man is it way better than the s2 i bought in the early 90's that i picked out at Rockley's in Denver when i was a dumb little pipsqueak. 32 vs. 36scale makes all the difference. By the way i know i keep saying it but THANKS AGAIN DANNO!!!!! Best bass i have ever had, they will have to pry my cold dead hands off it to get me to sell it. So i also have a persuader with alot of mojo(read: wear) that i got off the bay seller was very honest said bass was in a very played but perfect working condition, and sold it accordingly, welll it's one of my fav. 4 strings to play next to my starfires, which i have also bought more than a few unplayed and all have been worth it so far. Each is like a different friend with all thier little individual quirks e.t.c. ,but all are my friends my kinda peoples(Basses that is)>Only bass i didn't like iv'e bought over the years unplayed was an epi Jack C. model that hurt the F%*& out of my forearm cause the body binding was hella sharp, needed a banjo forarm rest!!

Both of my series I (one long scale, I sold... after 10 years of lugging the heavy monster...) was strapped on, fitted, and I spent hours before dropping the Benjamin Franklin's without any disappointments, or low expectations what so ever.

i know it's a different playing field, but i bought my first 5 string and bass with active electronics(Traben Array Premium)for $550, note that i had never even played a 5 string or a bass with active EQ, and it was the best decision i ever made and now play it almost exclusively(still give my other basses a whirl ever couple days). now i also strung it with the tuning EADGC(which is currently tuned a half step down, LOVE IT!!!!!) and will probly never go back to BEADG, so it all depends on the risks you want to take.
 
Mike, how could i not compliment such a beautiful instrument??? ;-)
 
~Taylor Watterson
 
(Message edited by tmoney61092 on August 11, 2009)

Update to bassilisk and others re: my post 194 above...I got the XL2 a few days ago, and I must say, it was another good eBay gamble!  Clear, articulate sounds.  Great condition.  Still in tune out of the shipping box.  Definitely the perfect '80's-sounding twangy, synthy thing I'm getting into now...it's now my #2 (after my SCSD, of course...I ain't no blasphemer).