I've been scouring eBay for a decent first french horn for my trumpeter wife (she plays, I learn all about the different horns and procure - I guess it's the hunter/gatherer thing!). With trumpets you can't go wrong with an Olds Ambassador - easy to play, great valves, solid. Is the same true for the horn? I'll need to get her a Bb or a double. I see compensating doubles and "real" doubles. Any particular downside with compensating? Seen also models which have an interchangable slide section to change from Bb to F. Want to keep it relatively inexpensive. I see vintage Ambassadors and other models ranging from $125-$400. Thanks for any info.

Without knowing what sort of music/ensemble you wife plans to play it is difficult to offer the best advice. However, the upper price limit does restrict choice. Normally, I would favour a branded "quality" second hand instrument - often the less well known brands such as a 1980s Hans Hoyer offer the best value. The older Hoyers come up for sale every few months but tend to be significantly more than $400.

Some horn teachers dislike beginner's learning on a Bb horn. In addition, migrating from trumpet probably means that F horn side (using the same fingering as Trumpet) will be the obvious starting place. She'll probably need the Bb side within months and so a single F horn would be a poor investment.

A compensating F/Bb is lighter than a full double and is sometimes best thought of as a Bb horn with a F additions. Especially with cheaper compensating horns the tone and intonation may suffer compared to the corresponding double.

I have to admit that I would be tempted by the Selman doubles such 7412043897. (Note: these horns dont have a 5th stopping valve so you can't hand stop on the Bb side which may be relevant for orchestral playing). Other horn players and obviously most competiting retailers would advise avoiding Chinese/Taiwanese instruments even if they have been imported by a reputable dealer. Frankly, I've had more problems with "superior branded" instruments than with Chinese manufactured ones - but my statistical sample is small!