I bought a Conn 8D on Ebay and it hasn't arrived. The tracking info says it never left the UPS store and the seller told me that the UPS worker was begging to buy it from her. He really wanted it because it was the nickel silver- any reason why that one is more sought after? I am sick to my stomach thinking that someone working at the store would do something like that!

Well, if the tracking information shows acceptance and yet it never left I would file a claim with UPS to start. Then I would also file a report with the local police authority. UPS may do a simple investigation and may try to solve the issue monetarily. It's quicker and easier. The police however do not have 'insurance' and may be bale to apply a little encouragement to the person who 'accepted' the instrument. You might be surprised.

Your actual question - Conn 8D's in nickel are a well known standard. Many people want them because they feel they play wonderfully. The nickle allows for a slightly different tone color and articulation speaking ability than the brass. Certain models of course are favored more than others (900 series, 300 series, K series, N series). Is this not why you bought yours?

Many Conn 8D's are very good horns (but don't think they are the only ones).

I am a band director and flute player but fell in love with playing the horn about 3 months ago. I didn't want to waste money on a student horn so I was looking for either a Conn 8D or a Holtan Farkas H179. I have played both in the nickel but am not good enough yet to know the difference

Hey! I play a Conn 8D! The silver one's are really good I think; but I haven't really had any experience with gold one's. But the other horn players at my school, all having gold dorns, envy my silver horn. That really, really stinks that you can't find out where your horn is! I would be sick to my stomach too!

Soooo.... any news about the missing horn? Inquiring minds want to know.

Valerie Wells
"The Balanced Embouchure" for French Horn

It finally showed up TODAY!!! My husband spent countless hours on the phone tracking it down and it finally made it. We were given so many different versions of the story that I won't bother to recount them here- I am just happy to have it!