Sonora Saxophones? Any info

[blazenu]

I've run across a fellow who wants to sell his Sonora Soprano Sax, but before I buy it I want to find out all I can about the brand. I'm having a hard time finding any info on this horn. I'm play a Selmer Paris Alto right now and really want to get a good soprano, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

marc S.

[silver-sax]

"Sonora" - German trade mark of saxophones (to 1990 year). Saxes - middle quality.

Now "Sonora" - trade mark of "Gebruder Monnig - OscarAdler&Co".

[chunksmydog]

Sonora is an Adler stamp, made in East German before the wall fell down.
Jeff

[flat5]

I have a Sonora soprano saxophone.
Bought it in Eureka, California from an oil painter in 1976 or so, for $270 if
I remember right.

It is a tough horn, heavy with a very good sound.
Key action is hard to play even thoughout the range.
Intonation is not so good. With a lot of care I can play well with others
(I have a sax quartet) but the high notes are very difficult.
I use a Selmer C star mouthpiece with the beast.

I have just gotten access to a very good M6 Selmer so won't be using the Sonora. I do like it's tone, however.

[Dave Dolson]

I admit to never hearing of this brand before, but for someone who plays and enjoys a Selmer-Paris saxophone, I recommend buying a more traditional brand such as . . . Selmer. Or, look at Yanagisawa, Yamaha, Keilwerth, Rampone, or some of the better Taiwanese-made sopranos. Also, there are plenty of wonderful vintage sopranos out there (Buescher, Conn, Martin, Selmer) to choose from. DAVE

[Saxplayer67]

Sonora was made by B & S from GDR (East Germany). I have a Meister alto, which is the same as the Sonora. It's considered a student sax but I'm still playing mine as my main sax after over eleven years. They're built like a tank and stay in adjustment, quite a mellow sound overall. They don't use cork (except on the crook of course) but black rubber. I love it.