Renting a Musical Instrument

We need to rent an instrument for next year. Would like any feedback on the different rental companies. Considering Music & Arts in Millburn or Elefante in New Providence. Does it really matter who we rent from?

We used to rent from Elefante but find Music and Arts more convenient. 

Music and Arts had a large selection of violins.  They ranged from fine old German instruments to much newer and flashy looking Suzuki products.  Guess which one my daughter wanted

Finlay + Gage recently opened on Springfield Ave., but is limited to string instruments

https://www.finlayandgage.com/

We rented a trumpet from Elephante but then bought a high quality trumpet we had repaired at Sam Ash (which I'm going to sell, if you need a trumpet). Buying was a much better value for us since she played for a few years.

What instrument?

theneighbor said:

What instrument?

Alto Sax

I don't know much about renting, but you can get a decent used student horn for dirt cheap and sell it down the line for about what you paid if the LO stops playing or upgrades. Someone is selling this one at a fair price: Selmer Bundy. Also I like Liberty Music in Mountainside (off 22) for maintenance/repairs, followed by the Rich Casey at Sam Ash on 22. USA Horns on Morris Ave in Union is good but pricey.

We have rented alto saxes from both Elefante and Music and Arts.  Kid said she didn't notice much difference in the instrument (but she also played as little as possible and is giving it up next year).  Price and convenience were comparable.

shh said:

We rented a trumpet from Elephante but then bought a high quality trumpet we had repaired at Sam Ash (which I'm going to sell, if you need a trumpet). Buying was a much better value for us since she played for a few years.

How was the quality of the trumpet you rented from Elefante? Were you happy with how it played?