I was thinking about ordering a custom bass to play the high-C 5-string, but I bought this bass instead. It's probably less than 1/3 the price of custom ordering, but I'm very satisfied with the result. In particular, Ibanez's unique thin, flat neck and low setup structure make playing chords and melodies in a high-C setup very comfortable and fun. It feels a bit expensive for an instrument made in Indonesia, and there are some minor finishing touches that are disappointing. However, it has become my favorite instrument among the instruments I currently own, and it is an instrument that gives me pleasure when I play it every day.