Renting costs £37 a month inc insurance @ Thwaites (don't quote me on that just from memory but to be safe £40/m) like a 1/m rolling phone contract you use it for however as long as you'd like... i.e 1st March - 1 April 1 month fee and if you want to send it back do so... etc... . renting form your council is the other alternative.. My mum pays £40 a year for a cello from Kent music for my bro.. or £80 a year for adults... Might I add, If you was to advance forward in the Contrabasse please steer away from any Thomann, G4Music or Gewa... Cos end of the day its just a waste of good cash... tame the Gas Because you buy... Unless you find a craking bass that is £500 or £1200 the difference isn't all that... However, you having a £4000+ bass compared to a £2500+ bass is a big leap. The Bryant is true value... Any other Luthier in uk starts at around 10k + being made soley in the uk..