Scalp just seems such a perfect match for what you’ve described. Doesn’t need to be the CCDB. In fact I’d suggest you go with the stock vivid, but upgrade the spring.
The scalp frame is a work of art for the price, the linkage is the best i’ve ever tried, it’s planted, it’s maneuverable, it’s fun and confidence building.
The CCDB is hard to set up and unforgiving if set up incorrectly, if anything goes wrong with it you’re buggered too because the internals aren’t exactly user friendly.
Something that rides brilliantly and is good value is never uncommon is it? You either buy something uncommon that fills a niche with particular riding style, i.e. the zerode or a gambler or something but lose out on the dh performance. What you’re asking for – fairly cheap, very fast AND unusual is pretty much an impossible task unless you buy 2nd hand, but you want an immaculate frame, so you have to compromise somewhere.
Having said that – K9 are very good frames, and are uncommon. They are expensive though. Or get a custom built Katipo – but they weigh a tonne and you have to wait ages.
A lot of the aston lads ride K9’s as they were tested there – and they are very, very fast if used right. http://www.k9industries.com/
Then of course v10’s are stunning frames, but expensive.
Then theres the mondraker summum which is again very good, but very slack and probably more suited to the flat out bike parks than technical british trails.
Lapierre as well. Con is expense.
Or the new gt bikes which the athertons are rocking.