One of the best parts about mountain biking is innovation. The downside is cost. If you are willing to try some new things and risk the cost, you might come up with something really rideable and unique. Downside is that you might put money into a pit that never works. Everyone around here likes projects and pictures. We are all pretty much not concerned about names unless they are Huffy, Pacific or Yeti! (just kidding about the Yeti part.) Frames are pretty much all from GIANT in China, so a DB is no big concern.

Bikes are built around a specific geometry. Messing with that would be my big concern. Have you considered 27.5 tires. They seem to be gaining ground.