Best
Student
Saxophone
-
Overall: Perfect For Students
-
Best Feature: Great Value for Money
-
TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Intermediate Level Saxophone
-
Overall: Advancing Students Looking for an upgrade.
-
Best Feature: Rich sound due to heavier brass body.
-
TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Professional Level Saxophone
-
Overall: Classy instrument with a brilliant sound over the entire range.
-
Best Feature: Mechanism coated in fluororesin for exceptionally smooth action.
-
TedScore™: 10/10
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?
If you’re a beginner, there are a few things to consider that can help you make the right choice.
What Does “Best” Mean?
A good question!
It depends on where you are on your saxophone-playing journey. If you are a beginner, you probably don’t want to buy a professional-level saxophone, even if they might be considered the “best”. I think even the saxophone inventor, Adolphe Sax, would agree with that!
A good thing to look for is a brand that makes instruments at a few different levels and price ranges. If a brand only makes cheap beginner saxophones, they will not be as high quality as a brand that also makes intermediate saxophone or professional saxophone or woodwind instruments – even if the beginner instrument itself is in a similar price range.
What To Look For In Buying A Saxophone?
The right choice of saxophone for you 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 saxophone 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 saxophones 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.
What Are The Best Saxophone Brands?
Of all the saxophone brands out there, there are a few which really stand out with a reputation for excellence and reliability. You can be confident in trusting anything from these companies, all of which are well-established in the industry.
YANAGISAWA
Yanagisawa makes saxophones exclusively at the professional saxophone level and is widely considered to be top saxophone brands of the range in the saxophone world. 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.
History of Yanagisawa
Yanagisawa is a Japanese company, family-run company that was founded in 1894 as a repairer of woodwind instruments. They started manufacturing instruments a few years later. Their first saxophone prototype was made in 1951, and they have gone on to specialize in a big way.
High-end craftsmanship is what sets Yanagisawa apart as a brand – their motto is that the making process “starts in the hands, passes through machines, and ends back in the hands”.
Yanagisawa has produced saxophones using many precious metals, including a 14K gold saxophone produced in 2006 (more for the exhibition of developments in saxophone manufacturers rather than everyday use)!
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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!
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 of musical instruments, and it is an excellent brand at all levels, suitable for all players, from beginners to professional musicians. They produce many different musical instruments and related accessories such as mouthpieces.
History of Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation is another Japanese Company, which has grown enormously over the years with a rock-solid reputation for quality and affordability. Founded in 1887 with the production of a reed organ, the company expanded into other musical instruments (& non-musical instrument products like motorbikes!) and has been producing woodwind instruments since 1965.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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.
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.
History of Conn-Selmer
This brand was created fairly recently through the merger of two companies. United Musical Instruments (UMI) and the Selmer Paris Company USA were both companies that comprised of and distributed several different saxophone brands, including Selmer Paris (a distinctive sound and top-level brand that specializes in professional saxophones) and Conn.
In 2002 the two companies merged to become Conn-Selmer. While producing saxophones and other instruments at all levels, Conn-Selmer specializes in resources for music education.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Good response.
- Resonance due to ribbed construction.
- A popular instrument with warm sound.
- A bit more expensive than other student-level saxophones.
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.
History of Jupiter
Jupiter’s philosophy is to support music education and community music-making. Their range of instruments offers fantastic affordability with quality that can be relied on. They are very popular with beginners, as they combine easy playability with durability, and are recognized by teachers as a great option for student saxophone players.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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
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.
History of Trevor James
Trevor James has been making saxophones since the 1990s and continues with the development of new models to enable players to get the best saxophone brands from their sax.
While their instruments are reliable at all levels, of particular note is the work they have done to enable younger players to begin playing – the Alphasax is a smaller, lighter instrument designed for small hands, making the instrument much more more accessible.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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.
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™.
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.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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.
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.
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
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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.
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.
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)
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- 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
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
We hope this article has been helpful!
As you search for your perfect new saxophone, stick to manufacturers with a good reputation for quality instruments – even at the beginner level. And in the end, it’ll be a personal preference of what beautiful instrument you choose from the top saxophone brands.
The right decision is then whichever instrument feels and sounds the best saxophone brands to you. Good luck!
