Very thought provoking and deep post.... Being a bass player for over 40 years, when I cam to the STICK, the instrument initially overwhelmed me as I never played guitar or Keyboards. It has only been since it was suggested to me to tune melody in 5th's that the instrument just "opened up" to me!! For me, 5th's straight across makes it easier for me to view the STICK as one large instrument instead of it being bass and melody side... but that is just me... I am having SO much fun playing and feeling more confident on the instrument....