| | |  | Saxophones | Home » » » Standard "Prelude" - Gold Lacquer Body And Keys, H | | | | | | | Description: | | The new entry-level instrument from Conn-Selmer, this saxophone features a gold lacquer body with high F#, rocking table keys and and articulated C#. Prelude is well designed, well build, has good intonation, and a beautiful full tone. Comes complete with mouthpiece, ligature, strap, and a hard shell carrying case. | | | Features: | |
• High F# key
• Articulated C# key
• Mouthpiece, ligature, carrying case
| | | Product Details: | | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 11 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 11 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 51 found the following review helpful:
 An excellent instrument for beginners or intermediates.May 26, 2007
By M. Guzman
"guideman62"
The Conn-Selmer Prelude Alto saxophone is an excellent instrument at a bargain price. Craftsmanship on this particular saxophone is superlative, quite above other similarly priced instruments by less reputable manufacturers. The keys are firm, in a good way. The tone is warm and even throughout the entire range, clear, just a bit this side of bright. Once you hold the instrument and play it for the first time, its obvious that the Conn-Selmer Prelude Alto is a well engineered saxophone in the tradition that is associated with those two great companies. Everything about this instrument exalts attention to detail and quality at an affordable price. Highly recommended.
21 of 24 found the following review helpful:
 Decent Price, Poor SoundJun 15, 2010
By Jeff
I've always taken an interest in learning the sax and finally mustered up the courage into buying one. After a bit of some research online, I learned that the "big four" brand names (according to the site I found anyway) were Selmer, Yamaha, Keilworth, and Yangisawa. Wile searching, I found a few other brands of Chinese made sax's below the $500 range but was skeptical of their quality and reputation, which led me to the reason for purchasing the Prelude AS-711. I figured that at the $500 price point, I'd be getting a pretty good sax from a well known company. I hate to say it, but I was a bit disappointed.
First of all, what I found out after I purchased this sax was that the Selmer name was not what it used to be. Second, I found out that this saxophone was made in China (which I completely blame myself for not researching thoroughly).
I initially thought the sound was fine once I started playing. But it wasn't until after when I demoed the Yamaha YAS-23 at a music store that I finally realized how inferior this horn really is. I wish I could describe the sound for you but I'm not familiar with the colloquialisms of saxophone acoustics.
Bottom Line:
I acknowledge that the new YAS-23's are made in China but the quality, sound, and ease of play from my experience validates the claim that this IS the definitive student sax. If you are merely purchasing a sax to learn to play, by all means, go ahead and purchase this. It's not a bad saxophone. But why have a hamburger when you can have a steak? I returned the Prelude back to the store and will wait a few months until I can afford the Yamaha Sax, or perhaps buy a used one (Japanese made).
11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
purchased for middle school band studentOct 14, 2008
By keg
Excellent option for beginning band student. Although the band director discouraged online instrument purchases; this instrument is in perfect condition, and is priced significantly less that a one year rental price. The instrument arrived as expected. A very good amazon.com purchase experience.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Selmer drops the ballAug 13, 2011
By Repairguy
I am a repairman of 28 years and I am shocked at the bad engineering in these horns.They are cheap chinese and not as good as the chinese stuff from ten years ago.They should never say selmer on them .The guys in charge do not care about the instruments anymore .They are selling a good reputation now. Shame on them
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Nice Student Alto SaxJul 04, 2010
By E. Estrada
"Single Dad of 4"
I purchased this sax through WWBW (Woodwinds and Brasswinds) an Amazon retailer for my son because of the Selmer name, good reviews and it was on sale. Its a good sounding Sax with clear tones especially with a good reed like Rico Royal or better. I gave it 4 stars because the first sax came "defective" from the factory with several sticking keys and bent springs which made the action slow. The musician/clerk at a Sister Store (Music & Arts) said it looked like it was "used" or perhaps a display unit which was repacked with shipping corks and all.
Customer service was great. They emailed a return label--I shipped it back. 2 weeks later another one arrived. It had one key sticking slightly contacting another key, it just needed a minor adjustment. In total there was a 3 week delay. From the sister store, I purchased an "IMA" Instrument Maintenance Agreement which covers adjustments and all labor for a year (I have to pay for parts if Selmer Warranty doesn't cover it); otherwise it would have cost $40 or more to have the minor "set-up" adjustments made to the new sax.
There are only two complaints, this instrument is made in China and if you buy from a brick and mortar store set-up is usually included in the purchase price. So, plan on paying for a set up adjustment or buy an IMA.
The reason I purchased my son his own sax was that renting a sax would cost $600 a year or more (where we live) and the school sax he used this last year was going to cost almost $300 to change couple of pads and make some adjustments. That is why I am planning on purchasing the IMA every year from the sister store (Music & Arts) and have the sax tuned up annually. Its only $65 (with tax) a year for a student instrument. Getting the instrument tuned up can cost that much or more. And according to the musicians at the store parts aren't that expensive but labor is what costs you. At $65 a year for an IMA to keep the instrument playing like new is a good investment, especially compared to $600 a year to rent!
The Selmer Prelude Alto Sax is made from good quality and weight brass, fairly well made, has good tone and intonation. Its a great instrument for the price.
FYI: Included with the "lightweight" case are two adjustable carrying straps. There are D-Rings sewn in on the side the case to carry over the shoulder and/or there are 3 D-Rings on the bottom so you carry the sax in the case like a back pack (really useful for younger players because the instrument is somewhat heavy). By "lightweight" I don't mean cheap case, its made from structural foam the kind used on car bumpers which is strong and light weight. If you had to buy a "lightweight" case they cost a pretty penny. The case has a zippered pouch on top to put your music and a storage compartment inside.
Also don't forget the cleaning kit, reeds and reed case (available from Amazon). I like the RICO case because it comes with a replaceable humidity control pack that keeps the reed from drying out (where we live) or getting too wet (where its humid). Even if you don't use the humidity control pack its a nice case and about half price here on Amazon compared to some music stores ($22 - $28) in my area.
See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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