Facing the problem that fine instruments, especially string instruments, are way too expensive for fine musicians to buy, the Music Council of Australia has instruments available for loan to musicians who have the verve and virtuosity to play them. Sounds good, doesn’t it? You don’t have to be an established player to qualify for the loan, but you have to earn the right through excellence. We’re not talking the $AUD16 million a 1721 Stradivarius recently acquired at auction, but we are talking seriously good instruments.