Wood origin and combination on Epis is alway a wonderous thing. Maybe I just got lucky with mine. I'd buy another bass with the same wood in a heartbeat (though the after market spalted maple top addition has of course changed the original sound somewhat and given it more attack and focus).
I note you said maple-ish looking as opposed to maple-ish, but is there such a thing as soft, i.e. dent-prone maple? I always thought it was a very hard and stiff wood, hence its popular use for necks etc.