With its clear and pristine tone, the alto saxophone is one of the most common wind instruments in the jazz world.
We’ve already covered in depth the topic of alto saxophones for beginners, so in this guide we’ll take you through our top ten picks for the best professional alto saxophones on the market.
Don’t be fooled by the name though: you don’t have to be a ‘professional’ to buy one of these instruments. In fact, if you have a decent budget, a pro horn can turbo charge your progress as a beginner too!
And remember: if cared for properly, these instruments could (and possibly should!) last you forever!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most recommended  | Our #1 recommended alto saxophone for professionals or serious students based on its exceptional quality, comfort and sound. | Check Price on Amazon | |
Best value  | Newly launched professional model from one of the most budget-friendly manufacturers out there. | Jean Paul USA |
Due to their smaller size compared to the tenor and baritone saxophones, alto saxes are generally cheaper than their larger counterparts.
This doesn’t, however, mean a lesser quality instrument. The saxes we’ve highlighted in this article benefit from cutting edge technology and expert craftsmanship which results in more comfortable ergonomics, easy playability and an even, balanced tone from the lowest notes to the highest.
Whilst we’ve covered a range of saxophone manufacturers around the world, it’s worth noting we’ve left out vintage horns, focusing instead on the best professional altos that can be bought new.
There are vintage saxophones out there that are fantastic instruments and have stood the test of time for good reason but they can be much more variable, even amongst the same saxophone brand or model, due to different engineering methods.
Looking for pro tenor saxes instead? Find them here!
Jazzfuel Top Pick: Yamaha YAS 62 Pro Alto Sax
Any saxophone on this list would be a great choice for a professional saxophonist looking to up their game, but we’ve chosen the Yamaha YAS 62 as our top pick.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most recommended | Our #1 recommended alto saxophone for professionals or serious students based on its exceptional quality, comfort and sound. | Check Price on Amazon |
It’s an excellent all-rounder and incredibly versatile. You’ll also be pleased to hear that it’s one of the cheaper options on this list. Whether you’re a professional-level sax player looking for an upgrade or a novice looking to give yourself the best possible start, this this could be the one for you!
Read on for our full breakdown of the best professional alto saxophones on the market right now – including more details on the excellent YAS-62…
Yanagisawa AWO20U
Yanagisawa produces some of the best professional alto saxophones on the market, with a fantastic reputation amongst professional players and repair technicians for their engineering quality and tone.
A family company since its founder began repairing instruments in 1894, Yanagisawa only makes professional-quality instruments, which is clear to see just from the design of the saxes.
The AWO20U is a solid bronze instrument, with a warm tonal core and a rich, smooth sound.
We recommend the unlacquered version to really allow the metal to resonate and retain some of that attack, but some players may find an unlacquered alto saxophone hard to tame. Due to the tarnishing of unlacquered brass, this will not be suitable for players who need to maintain an immaculate looking professional alto sax.
The front F key features an ergonomic design to fit under the finger of the saxophonist better than a traditional key. This allows for easier access into the harmonic register, particularly at speed, and is becoming a popular modification for players on other horns.
The right-hand pinky keys have been modified to allow for faster finger movement. Ultimately, this instrument is very comfortable to play and the bronze model has a warm tonal core.
The best place to learn more about Yanagisawa saxophones is via their own website here, although we put together our own guide to the company and its history here.
Selmer Paris Reference 54
The Reference 54 is based on the almost mythical Selmer Mark VI and doesn’t disappoint.
The modern Selmer saxophone hasn’t had the best reputation until recently but in line with modern engineering and using the same type of brass as the vintage Mark VI has placed this instrument firmly in our top 10 list of the best professional alto saxophones.
The tone of any Selmer is instantly recognisable and the Reference 54 is no exception.
With a strong centred sound, the Reference 54 has a focused sound with a large character.
New developments around keywork and tuning have alleviated the headache often found with the Selmer saxophone Mark VI or any other vintage horns.
The key action on the Selmer feels very fluid but can be very different coming from the factory so it’s worth having your technician set it up exactly how you like it.
The palm keys and the Eb/Db are a little higher than expected which may take a little getting used to, but does allow for faster keywork once locked into the instrument.
You can learn more about the Reference 54 alto via the Thomann music store.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most stylish!  | A modern classic, mixing the Selmer vintage magic with 21st Century design. | Shop via Thomann |
Yamaha YAS 62
As we already mentioned, this professional alto saxophone is one of the best all-rounders on the market!
A cheaper option than the rest of the saxophones mentioned here, these Japanese made horns still hold up against more expensive options and are arguably more versatile. This could be a great option for an intermediate player who intends to eventually turn pro.
The tone is very middle of the road, suitable for classical music, jazz or pop and is therefore suitable for the professional with a range of gigs, from musical theatre to jazz bands and weddings.
The neck is slightly smaller and the octave mechanism allows for custom necks, in order to change the tone of the instrument to suit. The smaller neck improves the intonation and the consistency of tone across the range of the horn, with no obvious dead spots.
All in all, this is a wonderful and versatile horn that can’t really be pigeonholed into a particular genre that may suit the modern professional.
You can find the full spec and pricing here.
Yamaha YAS-875
Near perfect intonation, stress-free key work, and easy playability in the low range make this a true saxophone player’s horn. With a defined tonal core and decent projection, it is almost the opposite of the softer touch bronze models on the market.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most recommended | Another quality professional alto sax from Yamaha | Check Price on Amazon |
With that being said, the depth of the sound is fantastic, the keys have been altered to be more ergonomic and the resistance is consistent through the entire range of the instrument.
And, with options for silver plating or even black finish, you’ll also be sure to own a fantastic looking and sounding horn.
Yamaha YAS 82Z
The Yamaha 82Z is a well-known alto saxophone – and for good reason. With an unparalleled level of projection and a solid tonal core, this Japanese horn is one of the best professional alto saxophones out there.
While not as free blowing as the atelier series of saxophones, the 82Z is extremely responsive, In part to the metal reflectors on the pads, and is available with a “V1” neck to give more of an open sound.
The responsiveness of this alto saxophone is one of the best on the market, and the sound it produces is reminiscent of a vintage sax, but with the engineering quality of a modern instrument.
Eastman 52nd street
A larger bell and rolled tone holes contribute to a wonderful vintage-sounding instrument and a first choice for Bob Mintzer.
With adjustable palm keys, you’re guaranteed a comfortable fit under the hands.
The vintage sound has a wonderful depth to the tone that other modern vintage designs don’t quite hit. The intonation is precise and responsive across the whole range of the horn.
Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz
A family-owned company from Italy, this handmade instrument is still amongst some of the best professional alto saxophones on the market. One of the oldest saxophone companies in the world, this level of experience shows in their craft.
As with any handmade professional alto saxophone, each horn differs slightly. This isn’t to say any are better or worse, but with different craftsmen on different days, the horns will be different.
The aesthetic will also not be perfect as with mass-produced horns, but we think that adds to the charm.
The R1 JAZZ comes in a range of metals which affects the tonal core greatly. They are built using the same techniques of vintage saxophones and this is certainly reflected in the rich sound of each alto saxophone.
It is worth noting that (as with any professional horn) it is worth trying the exact horn you intend to buy out, as some horns can have slight variances in intonation.
Selmer Paris Series III (alto)
With good intonation and the unmistakable Selmer tone, the Series III is incredibly responsive with a centred sound and near-perfect intonation across the range.
The bottom end on the Selmer is warm and vibrant as you’d expect, and the top range has a high brilliance to it that you only get with a professional alto saxophone.
The Selmer Series III has a big sound with a much stronger tonal core than its siblings, thought the action is quite high and may require a technician to make it more comfortable for you.
The Selmer is clearly built to last. It is a big horn with just as big a sound, plenty of projection, and it’s very responsive throughout the range.
Keilwerth SX90R
This Keilwerth alto saxophone has rolled tone holes, and an all-over chunkier feel which may take some getting used to.
The alto sax offers a non-stick G# mechanism, which can alleviate some problems found with other saxes.
The alto sax itself is very free blowing with a decent level of projection. The raw brass is coated in a clear lacquer, which may dampen the response compared to unlacquered horns, but retains the aesthetic of an unlacquered brass horn with the extra protection of a lacquer coating.
They are also available in a black nickel coating and gold lacquer finish.
As with any professional saxophone, it’s worth noting that these will need setting up well by a good technician. The tone holes can sometimes be warped, and in order for your pads to stay reliable and leak-free as they settle they will need to be assessed by a good technician.
They can also vary between instruments, so it is worth checking the tone holes even on a brand new horn.
Yanagisawa AWO37
Despite the price being almost double for this model than the AWO20, this is still an unbelievably good professional sax that your technician will thank you for.
All Yanagisawa’s are made with an unparalleled focus on engineering quality that produces an unbelievably reliable instrument. While solid silver doesn’t come without its pitfalls, the tone of this magnificent looking horn is to die for, with the clarity and focus that altos are known for.
The keywork is the same as the rest of the AWO series, with an underslung Octave mechanism, an additional neck plate, an ergonomic front Fand a C#/Bb rocking table to name a few. T
he keys may need adjusting as with all Yanagisawas as they can tend to be a little tight to play at first. This really isn’t a bad thing though as your technician will be able to lighten it to your specifications, and allows for a “definite” feel under the fingers which can really help in those fast passages.
The Solid silver provides a clear and bright tonal core to the sound, with very good intonation and speaks clearly throughout the whole range. Each horn is hand-engraved and truly looks like a work of art.
Looking for a saxophone on a smaller budget?
We have lots of great resources in our saxophone section to help you find the the best beginner alto sax or intermediate saxophone for your needs.
Looking for jazz inspiration? Check out our round up of the most famous saxophonists all all time.
Hmm – No mention of the Paul Mariat saxes?