Best
Student
Saxophone
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Overall: Perfect For Students
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Best Feature: Great Value for Money
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Intermediate Level Saxophone
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Overall: Advancing Students Looking for an upgrade.
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Best Feature: Rich sound due to heavier brass body.
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Professional Level Saxophone
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Overall: Classy instrument with a brilliant sound over the entire range.
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Best Feature: Mechanism coated in fluororesin for exceptionally smooth action.
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TedScore™: 10/10
Imagine _sailing_ through a tune with one of the **top saxophone brands** in your hands—feels like a *dream come to life*, right? **Playing** this gleaming instrument is like _telling a story_, with each note etched into the very **metal** it’s crafted from.
Whether you are buying your first saxophone or looking to upgrade, there is a lot of choice out there! What are the best saxophone brands? Which saxophone brands should I avoid? What are the great saxophone manufacturers?
I’m starting this party with a saxophone brands list that will hit all the right notes for both new and experienced saxophone players. Finding the perfect saxophone is quite a journey, and I’m here to help you find the one that matches your style and budget.
So, keep reading because we’ll explore the details of top-notch saxophone craftsmanship. Trust me, you’ll want to hear what’s coming next – let the music of research begin!
What Are The Best Saxophone Brands?
Of all the saxophone brands available, a few really stand out, with a reputation for excellence and reliability.
These saxophone companies, such as Yamaha, Selmer, and Yanagisawa, are known for creating durable, well-crafted saxophones that produce a rich, full sound. You can be confident in trusting anything from these well-established companies.
YANAGISAWA
Yanagisawa makes saxophones exclusively at the professional saxophone level and is widely considered the best brand of saxophone in the world of sax. Saxophones are all they make, and they do not produce beginner versions – they are single-minded in their quest for perfection at the highest level.
Yanagisawa AWO10 Alto Saxophone
DESIGNED FOR: professional players looking for a classy instrument with a brilliant sound over the entire range.
FEATURES: mechanism coated in fluororesin for exceptionally smooth action.
OTHER INFO: comes in a choice of finishing.
Yanagisawa AWO10 Alto Saxophone
- High-quality saxophone
- Brass thumb rest to minimise the effect on tone.
- Metal reflectors enhance clarity and response. Key pillars on mounted ribs for extra strength.
- As you might expect, these instruments are not cheap!
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation is the biggest saxophone manufacturer on the planet. It is an excellent brand at all levels, suitable for all players, from beginners to professional musicians. Yamaha Corporation produces many different musical instruments and related accessories, such as mouthpieces.
Yamaha YAS480 Alto Saxophone
DESIGNED FOR: advancing students looking for an upgrade.
FEATURES: rich sound due to heavier brass instrument body.
OTHER INFO: Yamaha 4C mouthpiece included.
Yamaha YAS480 Alto Saxophone
- A great instrument with secure intonation.
- Features a handmade hand-engraved bell.
- Strong C#-B connection meaning good response in the lower range.
- More resistance can take time to get used to when you first upgrade.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
CONN-SELMER
Conn-Selmer is a manufacturer of multiple woodwind instruments at all levels, and also acts as a distributor of the top pro instrument saxophone brands.
Conn-SELMER DAS200 Alto Saxophone
DESIGNED FOR: students advancing towards the intermediate level.
FEATURES: large bell flare meaning low notes respond more easily.
OTHER INFO: comes in a hard case with backpack straps for safe and easy transportation.
Conn-SELMER DAS200 Alto Saxophone
- Good response.
- Resonance due to ribbed construction.
- A popular instrument with warm sound.
- A bit more expensive than other student-level saxophones.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Jupiter
Jupiter is a maker of woodwind instruments and brass instruments for beginner to intermediate players.
Jupiter JAS500 Alto Saxophone
DESIGNED FOR: students
FEATURES: great value for money
OTHER INFO: comes with advanced features including a detachable bell, making it easy to clean
Jupiter JAS500 Alto Saxophone
- Adjustable thumb hook.
- Accurate intonation.
- Great sound.
- Durable. Gig-bag style case for easy transportation.
- You'll need to upgrade once you reach an intermediate level
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
TREVOR JAMES
Trevor James is a UK manufacturer of wind and brass instruments at all levels, particularly good for beginner to intermediate instruments.
Alphasax Alto Saxophone
DESIGNED FOR: young beginners who would otherwise struggle with the size of an alto sax.
FEATURES: 33% lighter than a standard alto saxophone
OTHER INFO: with some keys removed, it has a 2-octave range, making it ideal for beginner to Grade 3.
Alphasax Alto Saxophone
- Key work designed to be easier to reach.
- Keys removed make it significantly lighter. Nice sound
- Harness enables young players to support the weight comfortably. Players can start at a younger
- Has a slightly reduced range due to keys being removed for lightness.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
What To Look For In Buying A Saxophone?
Making the right choice for you among many good saxophone brands will depend on a few different factors. Have a think about each of these as you make your decision.
Player Level
If you are a beginner, you will need something durable and free blowing, to help you get the best sound from the instrument straight away. There are some extremely affordable options out there, that don’t sacrifice quality for budget.
If you are a more advanced player, you should generally invest in the highest sound quality instrument you can afford. The reward you will get from the tone quality is significant, and well worth the cost!
If you are an intermediate saxophone player, a balance between the two will serve you the best sax brands.
Tone Quality & Intonation
The sound quality of the sound is hugely affected by the material that the saxophone is made from. The options range from brass or nickel at one end of the spectrum, to silver or even gold at the other!
Many saxophones use a combination of materials, to get the balance between rich sound tone and affordability; for example, some might be made of the brass instrument but have a gold lacquer finish for this brass instrument.
Intonation is affected by how the keys and sound holes are set up. This is the main difference you will notice with cheap saxophones – the tuning is often inconsistent within the range of the instrument, which means the player has to work harder to play in tune.
For this reason, it is worth avoiding the very cheapest saxophone brands on the market, if your budget allows it.
Action
The action describes the way the keys respond under your fingers. They should press down easily, and spring smoothly back into place as soon as you let go. Some saxophone brands have subtle differences in the action of the keys, which can make them feel lighter and more fluent.
For children, there is also a range of making woodwind instruments designed for small hands, with simplified key work to make it easier to handle.
Durability
Student saxophones are often more durable, which is important as there is a lot of metalwork on the instrument that has the potential for damage! To improve durability, make sure you store your saxophone in a hard case, rather than a soft gig bag.
Great Sax Accessories
Once you have chosen your new saxophone, there are a few other things you might need to get started.
Saxophone Stand
A stand to rest your saxophone on when not playing, is a useful bit of kit, for use at home or at rehearsals. Laying the saxophone on a table or in its case while assembled can damage the keyword – so using a stand is the safest option.
Ensure you get the right size for your instrument – some stands can take either professional alto saxophones or tenor saxophones, but several are designed for one particular size.
K&M 14300 Saxophone Stand
DESIGNED FOR: use at home and on stage.
FEATURES: sturdy construction means your precious instrument is safe when you're not playing it.
OTHER INFO: allows the attachment of pegs for other instruments if needed.
K&M 14300 Saxophone Stand
- Folds down for portability.
- The plastic coating won't mark your saxophone.
- Adjustable height to ensure the perfect fit.
- A little bulkier than other models.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Saxophone Strap
Saxophones often come with a neck strap, but this is usually a very basic one. I’d recommend buying one with padding, for comfort! For the younger saxophonist, you might consider a harness, so the weight is across the shoulders rather than around the neck.
BG Comfort Strap
DESIGNED FOR: teenagers or adult players of all levels.
FEATURES: padded strap makes it comfortable on the neck.
OTHER INFO: secure snap hook prevents the strap from coming off the saxophone accidentally.
BG Comfort Strap
- Perfect example of a product that fits both alto sax and tenor saxophones.
- Comfortable to wear. Affordable.
- Younger players might find this less comfortable than a full harness.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Saxophone Reeds
It’s a great idea to keep a few spares in your case at all times. Reeds can break very easily, particularly the case with beginner saxophonists. It’s essential to keep some ready in good condition.
Vandoren Traditional (Box of 10)
DESIGNED FOR: any level of player (in varying strengths)
FEATURES: ersatility across abilities and genres
OTHER INFO: Comes in individual flow packs sealed at the ideal humidity, for consistent results and durability.
Vandoren Traditional (Box of 10)
- High-quality cane.
- Makes a good-quality sound. Responsive over the whole dynamic range.
- Especially good for classical music. Good value.
- a little more expensive than entry-level reeds
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best Saxophone Brands
Summary
Choosing the perfect saxophone is a bit like finding a new friend; it’s personal and fascinating. I’ve wandered through a world of shiny brass and musical tones to bring you closer to your perfect match.
Yamaha stands out with its durable and aesthetically pleasing instruments that cater to various budgets. But I must tip my hat to the artisanal craftsmanship of Yanagisawa—each saxophone is handcrafted with a truly palpable passion.
Trevor James might be the new kid on the block, but they’re making waves with their dedication to student saxophonists. Their innovation has them cozying up with the best.
Remember, the best is subjective; your choice will serenade you through your musical journey. Taking these notes to heart will ensure your saxophone quest hits all the right notes. Now, go forth and make some beautiful music!
While I respect the list provided, I’ve personally found that lesser-known brands occasionally outperform the mainstream ones in both tone quality and durability, especially for intermediate players. Brands like YANAGISAWA and TREVOR JAMES indeed produce exceptional instruments, but I encourage fellow saxophonists to also consider trying out saxophones from newer manufacturers. Their innovative approaches to design and material often offer unique tones and ergonomics not found in traditional models. Would love to see those options explored more in future discussions.
I second this! Some of the best performances I’ve had were on less popular brands. Always worth exploring.
Interesting take, ToneQuester97! Gotta check out some of those new brands now.
The accessory recommendations were spot-on. Found a couple of gems for my performance setup. Much appreciated!
Always heard good things about Yamaha. Looks like I made a solid choice starting with one. Thanks for the write-up!
I appreciate the efforts in compiling the list of best saxophone brands, Mr. Emery. However, I was hoping you could expand on why each brand was chosen for this list? Specifically, I’m curious about the criteria for selection such as sound quality, ease of play for beginners, durability, and price range. It would greatly aid in making informed decisions for recommending instruments to my students.
Hey SaxyMel, from what I’ve seen, Yamaha and Selmer are usually top recommendations for quality and reliability. Jupiter’s good for beginners too!