Already had a 4-string Samick bass for 12 years. Wanted to try a 5-string fanned fret guitar in a higher category. This guitar is beautifully manufactured, can be passive or active, overall quality matches the expectations in this price range. Watch out when changing strings! It needs the Long version of d'Addario strings (from which there is a much smaller selection than from normal length bass guitar strings). It is equipped with such d'Addarios in the factory. I can fully recommend this guitar.