I wasn't looking for it, but an Epic came under my radar this last summer, and viol?, I am an Alembic owner. I love the Epic. I am in no rush to get my next Alembic, but I am always on the lookout. If I wanted a neck-through, LPF electronics, 5 string instrument, at the lower end of the price spectrum, what would you suggest?

Neck through have a very different sound but I'm happy with my Excels. I can vouch for Spoilers, Excels, Distillates, SC's Europas and Essence models. I would look for a model with a  bridgeblock.  Some early Spoilers don't have them. C'est la guerre.

The lower end of the neck through Spectrum includes Persuader, Spoiler, Essence and Elan.