Check this out - Neck through body construction, mahogany neck with maple stringers, imbuya body, passive (but good sounding) pickups...
$500.
I played one the other day, and it ruled. Now if only Peavey had picked a better name for it...

http://www.peavey.com/products/amps_mi/bassguitars/grindbass4_ntb.cfm