Saxophones Sonata (Selmer AS700 Prelude) Help Please

[tankie1rtr]

Hi All.
Can anybody please help me, I have been offered an ex lease sax, its 6 months old and in mint condition, its listed as a Sonata (Selmer AS700 Prelude) the guy says that he has compared it to the AS700 and its 100% identical in every way, can anybody please tell me did Selmer make an AS700 prelude under a different name, or is there a Sonata sax that is very close to the AS700 in every way, I have been offered it for £210, Any advice greatly appreciated, I only have today to make the purchase as I go away tomorrow for 2 weeks and if its worth the cash I do not want to lose it. the serial number is AD18107051. above it seems to be inscribed ASSON700.
Thank You

 

[richardfm]

My Conn-Selmer Prelude AS700 has 'AS700' engraved just above the serial number, and has a number of AD09607048 ... so at least the serial number you have been quoted is consistent with that.

 

[Phil Edwards]

Not sure if Sonata isn't a different make, but if it blows OK for £210 I'd get it. Any chance you can get someone local to take a look / blow if you're not sure?

Phil

 

[AlanU]

Hello?
If you're still there, I say get it.

Both are by Conn-Selmer, they are probably named differently for different World markets.

I have the Prelude, a friend just bought the Sonata, there are a few minor stylistic differences, such as the engraving, the lyre holder, slightly different pattern on the guards etc.
The ASSON merely indicates alto saxophone Sonata, the giveaway that it is the same is the 700

Fundamentally the same instrument, ie very good.
I played it top to bottom straight out of the case, it didn't even need the springs tweaking. No sticky pads, nothing.

Very good instrument at any price.
For £210 unmissable.

 

[tankie1rtr]

Hi Guys.
Thank you all who answered my question, and I have taken your advice, I have bought it, I think after all you great people have said, I would be a fool to miss it, just a pity I am away from 4am in the morning for two weeks, its just going to be sitting at my father in laws and I will be a few hundred miles away just itching to get my hands on it, oh well, at least I will be taking my trusty clarinet with me, so I wont be without something to annoy the other caravanners. Once again, Thank You to all that gave me advice, I will post again upon my return and let you know how the new horn is. I have just bought off fleabay a new Yamaha 5C mouthpiece, I hope this will help somewhat.
Regards
John

 

[AlanU]

I'm pleased that you bought it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
When I bought mine I was guided by the review on www.shwoodwind.co.uk and was delighted at its performance.

As the review says, you may like to get it 'tweaked' to set the response how you like it, and be sure to use a decent mouthpiece.

If you do, it is astonishing how much you can get for so little.

I do however have moments when I think how little the workers must be paid, how the workers at Conn-Selmer in Elkhart, Indiana were laid off and the lack of Civil Liberty there is in China.
I do feel complicit in this, however I wanted to buy a good alto on a limited budget.

What is a chap to do?