Lucky Stars are our answer to the rental racket. These are fun Chinese violins available from 1/8 to full-size. Unlike most inexpensive violins these come with real ebony fingerboards and pegs. Most starter outfits have painted whitewood pegs and fingerboards, which do not stand up, and are almost impossible to tune in humid weather.

These violins have a bright, clear, powerful tone. Four fine-tuners are fitted to the tailpiece. They come with a dart-shaped foam case, a starter bow and a cake of rosin. These outfits can be purchased for $120, the price most rental companies want for a nine month rental.

They can be upgraded with Pirastro Piranito metal strings or Dominant perlon core strings, as well as a fiberglass bow with horsehair. Lucky Stars also make good school or second violins when one doesn't want to expose a better violin to undue stress.