Hello!
I'm a 7th grade r's mom who is looking for a double horn for my son. He's been playing 4 years, currently on the school's ancient Olds double. I've read many of the posts here incl the article by Dr Matlick about horn buying and I'm overwhelmed and terrified! My son is of medium stocky build, very athletic, and has always complained that the horns he has played( F single & the Olds) always feel "clogged" like there's too much resistance. The band director (a trumpet player) wants to give him private lessons himself and insists on a Conn 8D. After reading info online, it sounds like I should find him a professional horn teacher who could both teach him and help us with finding a horn. We live in northern Nj. Any suggestions?

Find him as professional a horn teacher as you can. I have a snotty remark/story about that at the end here.

As far as horns go Conn 8D's are nice in their time and place. I don't know what your budget is but the King's are almost exactly like the Conns and usually cheaper and in better shape. Most people who have Conn 8D's can't play them properly.

There is nothing wrong with a Conn 6D, Yamaha 667 or 668. Reynolds contempora (if you can find one). I will also mention Holton - but I find some Holtons about as resistent as the Olds.

Now for my snotty, snarky story. Of all my private stuents there are two schools where I teach all the horn players except one. At each of those schools the one student I don't teach takes private lessons from someone else (one takes from a trumpet player and one takes from a trombone teacher). Both these 'other' students have been playing longer and taking private lessons longer than my private students. And at both schools my students sit 1st, 2nd, and 3rd chair. The 'other' students sit 4th chair and never qualify for honor bands. Enough said?

Get a french horn playing teacher. And yes they can help you find an appropriate horn for your son.