I've seen some right recent stinkers, my mate had an SG a couple of years ago brand new, I presumed although it had Gibson on the headstock that it was a new budget range made in the far east, in fact that would be doing the far east an injustice!
They've never made a bass I've enjoyed playing, their current build quality is rubbish and Tokai have been building better versions of their flagship Les Pauls at all price points for years. Probably best to just sell T Shirts from now on.
Last time this came up most of the people saying it's wrong that musicman fit them hadn't and wouldn't remove their own necks on various makes to check.
I can see how the poor design leaves that chunk of wood vulnerable.
I'd point out to them that if you had caused the damage then you would have just bolted it back together and sent it back under the distance selling rules and they'd be non the wiser rather than highlighting the problem.
I enjoy both, nailing something on the DB is great but I'd probably not play live 'upright' as often without the EUB, some gigs I just can't fit the big bass on the stage area, one regular gig doesn't have enough height! Lol.
I agree with you, I lasted six months before ordering a DB after getting my Stagg!
I think the clumsy Stagg neck is a good introduction to the awkward real thing if you go that way later.
A Stagg sounds perfect to me for what you want, I still think the Stagg is good if you want to move onto an acoustic upright later as the neck is fairly deep and the finger board arched, a fretless bass on it's end it ain't!
I'm glad I moved exclusively to fives, much less effort than swapping basses, swapping tunings, fitting D tuners and relearning to play around the new positions.