Whether you’re looking to buy your first saxophone, or simply to upgrade your current horn this year, we’re going to take you through 12 of the best saxophone brands from around the world.
From the top end of the market, to the more ‘economic’ options, this article will help with the decision-making process!
Choosing a saxophone is a tricky business.
It can be a big investment, and there are countless makes and models to choose from.
As with most products out there on the market – from cars, to handbags, to computers – saxophone brands vary hugely in terms of their profiles, price points and target audiences.
There are famous companies that have been around for decades, and newer makes who are just getting started.
World famous brands and boutique, family-run firms. High end makers of hand-made instruments, and those who are catering for a lower budget, with saxophones for beginners.
Whatever your skill set and however much you’d like to spend (within reason), there’s a great saxophone out there for you.
In this article we’ll introduce you to 12 top saxophone brands from around the world and take a look at the history and reputations of these companies, as well as some of the best models they currently offer.
Proving that saxophone manufacturing is truly an international business, there are seven countries represented, in terms of where the companies are based!
Before we get into the details, though, here’s a quick round up of our three favourites…
If budget is not too much of a consideration, this is widely considered the best beginner saxophone available... and one that will easily see you through to intermediate level.
We had the Jean Paul sax compared to a $15,000 vintage horn... the result? Amazing value!
Selmer Paris
Good saxophone brands don’t come more prestigious than Selmer.
A true family business, the legendary French company has been making woodwind instruments since 1885, and current president Jérôme Selmer is the great-grandson of original founder Henri Selmer.
The French company made its first saxophone in 1922, going on to create historic models like the ‘Cigar Cutter’, the Balanced Action, the Super Balanced Action and the Mark VI.
The Mark VI, in particular, is the most iconic saxophone of all time and has been the horn of choice for all manner of legendary players: Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Michael Brecker, John Coltrane, Phil Woods and many others.
As you’d expect with a brand that has historically been regarded as ‘the best of the best’ when it comes to saxophones, Selmer products don’t come cheap.
Available in a variety of lacquer finishes, the Selmer Reference horns are two of their current flagship models: the Reference 36 takes inspiration from the 1936 Selmer Balanced Action, while the Reference 54 is a modern take on the legendary 1954 Selmer Mark VI.
The latest instrument to come off the Selmer production line is their brand new AXOS model, which offers all the manufacturing skill we’ve come to expect from Selmer, with a slightly more budget-friendly price…
A brand new offering from the most legendary saxophone brand of all time. If I was looking for a brand new (non-vintage) sax, this would be my first stop!
Both attempt to recreate the ‘special’ feel of a vintage saxophone whilst offering the reliability and ergonomic design of a modern horn – you can read our comparison here.
The brand also continues to produce two long-time favourites in the Super Action 80 Series II – described as “without doubt the world’s most popular professional alto saxophone” – and the Series III.
Selmer Paris saxophones are some of the more expensive instruments on the market, but that’s in part because over 80% of each horn is still produced by hand (including all the engraving) in one of the oldest factories of its kind in Mantes-la-Ville, to the west of Paris.
So if you’re simply searching for the best sax brand possible, look no further!
Jean Paul USA
Jean Paul saxophones are one of our top favourite brands when it comes to beginner and intermediate instruments.
The mix of high quality manufacture with affordable price tags makes them a great compromise between low quality cheap instruments which can slow progress, and expensive high-end options.
We had the Jean Paul sax compared to a $15,000 vintage horn... the result? Amazing value!
The company is a small, family-run business based out of Florida, which started out more than 25 years ago distributing musical instruments including big brands like Yamaha.
Seeing a gap in the market for a high quality yet affordable horns, they began manufacturing their own beginner and intermediate instruments in 2012 with the goal of providing low-cost options with a solid design.
Jean Paul saxophones are currently available in two finishes – lacquered and silver-plated – and in the following sizes:
We even got a professional saxophone player to do a Jean Paul saxophone review and compare it with his $15,000 vintage instrument…
The results might surprise you!
Yamaha
The Yamaha Corporation has put its name to all manner of products, from motorbikes to sporting goods to audio equipment.
The Japanese company also makes a selection of musical instruments: it is the biggest manufacturer of pianos in the world and also produces woodwind instruments, drums, brass instruments and keyboards.
Yamaha might not have the name prestige of Selmer in the saxophone world, but in recent years they have gained a reputation for producing extremely well-made horns that offer excellent value for money.
And, unlike Selmer Paris, which focuses on professional-level horns, Yamaha also makes student and intermediate level alto and tenor saxophones.
The YAS-280 alto and YTS-280 tenor are recognised as being amongst the best student level saxophones on the market, although they will set you back a bit more than less recognised entry-level brands.
If budget is not too much of a consideration, this is widely considered the best beginner saxophone available... and one that will easily see you through to intermediate level.
The 480 is Yamaha’s intermediate instrument.
Perfect for the advancing saxophone student, this is again considered one of the best in its price range, and is available in a range of finishes, including silver plated lacquer.
The Yamaha Custom has been Yamaha’s top-of-the-range series since 2002.
The free-blowing, wider-bored Custom Z is a particularly great saxophone for playing jazz, while the Custom EX is considered to be more of a classical saxophone.
These are highly rated instruments: alto sax great Phil Woods converted to a Custom Z later in life, having played a Selmer Mark VI for many years previously.
Budget aside, Yamaha make arguably the best alto saxophone for beginners available today.
Yanagisawa
A small family business based in Japan, Yanagisawa as a company dates back to 1894, when it started as a woodwind instrument repair business.
The company began producing saxophones in 1951, and is now established as one of the top three manufacturers in the world, alongside Selmer and Yamaha.
Yanagisawa tends to focus on selling a relatively streamlined selection of products.
