Took me a while to get used to the neck. The m2000, does apparently have a slimmer neck but the US ones can have a number of different neck options, but not easy to come by.
AFAIK the prices are similar to the sterling by musicman (confusing name) but I don't keep track so might be wrong, they are very good too from the couple of times I've tried them.
On the l2000 though, very very powerful and versatile basses but it won't sound like a stingray. I had some dry joints after several years on my tribute but mine is from the Korean period but beyond those minor crackles no issues. Reacts quite different to different string, currently back using Thomastik Infeld super alloys which seem to complement better than anything else after trying a few out.