Best Saxophones in 2022

Last update: January 2, 2023

Are old saxophones better than new ones?

There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors. Some people may prefer the sound of an old saxophone, while others may find that a new saxophone suits their needs better. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which type of saxophone is best for them.

Are older saxophones better?

Older saxophones are not automatically better than newer ones, but they can be of better quality. Newer models may have more features or be more affordable, but older models are often seen as being better made. This is because older saxophones were generally made by hand, while newer ones are made more cheaply with machines. In addition, older models may have been made with better materials.

Can a 50 year old learn the saxophone?

Yes, a 50 year old can learn the saxophone. There is no age limit when it comes to learning an instrument. It may take a bit longer for some than others, but with practice and dedication, anyone can learn to play the saxophone.

Can sax be self taught?


Jean Paul USA Intermediate Tenor Saxophone TS-400 Review:


I chose to buy this horn due to the many favorable reviews and its reasonable price. The ratings of the customer service especially impressed me. My horn arrived quickly and in good condition, however sadly there was some separation at the bow guard and in some of the joint places. I immediately called Jean Paul, and they were fantastic. The man had a new horn checked for defects and dispatched right away after sending me a shipping label for a return. The new saxophone was perfect. I was surprised to find that the replacement came with a complimentary second TS-4 mouthpiece. With multiple follow-up conversations from Jean Paul to ensure the quality of my replacement as well as my pleasure, the whole matter was resolved in less than a week.Given a competent player, I've found the intonation to be excellent and the durability/construction to be strong in terms of the sound. The TS-4 mouthpiece impressed me as well. I've used the Vandoren TL5 before, and I'd say the tone and playability of this mouthpiece are comparable. In a hurry, I switched to the Hiscox Pro II case for added security when transporting. The supplied case, in my opinion, would be adequate for light travel, but for someone like me who is constantly on the road, it can be unsettling.Overall, amazing product and excellent service. Now that I've owned the TS-400 for a while, I'm a little miffed that I didn't opt for the TS-800. It would undoubtedly be worth the extra expense.



Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone Review:


You know it's time for feedback when a product and the organization that stands behind it exceed even your highest hopes (for things like quality, customer service, etc.).The advice we consistently received was to "get them from a local store, do not make the mistake of buying them online because customer service is questionable" when we were looking to buy a saxophone for my 12-year-old. We polled music instructors as well as people who owned various types of musical instruments regarding our purchase options. We followed their advice and went to a few local shops, only to leave even more perplexed about the best purchase option because the recurring message we were receiving was that for the price range we were targeting ($250- $500), the best one could hope for was OK quality but if we really wanted a good quality and long lasting Sax we should be willing to invest more, way more.That was obviously not an option for us (as our 12-year-old had only recently begun playing the sax at school and we weren't sure if he would enjoy it), so we decided to take a chance online while still being safe by getting an extended warranty. I'm so glad we did that, but even more so that we decided on a Sax from Jean Paul USA, because (based on trying out Saxs owned by my son's pals) their instrument surprise has far superior fluidity of control and richness of tone than instruments that are 3–4 times more expensive.After a few months, we had almost completely forgotten about the instrument because we had received positive feedback about it from other students in the school band and had also heard him practice at home without any complaints (about the instrument). However, after about five or more months, we began to notice that the sound quality had noticeably degraded (and the keys didn't have their original fluidity), even though there was nothing different about how my son was using and handling the instrument (and the Sax itself comes with a pretty decent case).My initial reaction was, "I should have listened to all the advise people offered us when we were shopping around because they were all so right," because they were all so accurate. I called Jean Paul's customer service line one fine morning to find a solution to this problem and was dreading having that warranty conversation but was pleasantly surprised by the tone and response I got from the other end of the line. I had mistakenly assumed that the issue had to do with the instrument's quality. Enrique@Jean Paul USA patiently listened to my concern and immediately inquired about the type of equipment maintenance we were performing, such as keeping the pipes dry, etc. Although we were generally aware of the advantages of performing some basic routine maintenance on mechanical and electronic equipment, it is evident that notion had not occurred to us in this case.Enrique patiently gave me a quick 101 on why some basic maintenance was necessary for the instrument's proper functioning and longevity, directed me to a video clip on their website that showed me how to perform the maintenance, and surprisingly offered to service the equipment for free (including to and from shipping!) despite the fact that it was obvious the problem had been "user error." To be honest, I didn't anticipate the talk to flow so well (I was expecting to have to flash the warranty I had purchased etc and to get into a spirited conversation with their customer support before I got any help). What came next stunned me even more since he followed up on the initial contact we had to make sure I understood exactly what to do to get the Sax to their headquarters in Florida and informed me virtually every step of the route, to and fro. That is what I refer to as kickass customer service, and it is deserving of mention to prospective purchasers who are in the same situation as I was, namely, debating whether or not to purchase wind instruments—or, for that matter, any other musical instrument—online.If my experience is any guide, they won't make a mistake choosing Jean Paul USA.



Eastar AS-â…¡ Student Alto Saxophone E Flat Gold Lacquer Alto Sax Full Kit With Carrying Sax Case Mouthpiece Straps Reeds Stand Cork Grease Review:


I'll admit that I had my doubts about whether a good woodwind instrument could be made profitably and offered at $255. (shipping inclusive). I half anticipated a fairly inexpensive item. Although what I got wasn't a Selmer Mark VI (assuming you can find one), for less than a tenth of the cost, it seemed like a great value.All of the parts appear to be of good quality, especially the keys, pads, springs, etc. Despite the fact that I only study woodwinds at the "intermediate" level, I think there may have been some cost savings somewhere, but it's not immediately apparent to me where. I didn't notice any defects or issues, and all the keys appear to function well. The springs are a little bit tight, as one could anticipate in a brand-new instrument, but I'd be much more concerned if they appeared weak or loose, which is not at all the case. The design pays attention to various nuances, which is excellent.Everything you could possibly need is included in the kit: a mouthpiece, ligature, and cover; a hard case with top and side handles and removable backpack straps; all the required maintenance and cleaning supplies; gloves and a music clip that attaches to the neck (for marching band); a comfortable neck strap; two traditional reeds and a plastic reed; cork grease; and - as a bonus - a folding sax stand! This is a great value because the accessories alone are probably worth at least $40. If your child is just starting band or you've been renting and considering buying a new instrument, keep in mind that the price of this is comparable to 1.5 years of alto sax rental fees, and that at the end of that time, you'll still own the instrument and be able to sell it if your child loses interest. Perhaps you play another instrument and would like to learn a little bit of saxophone. In that case, learning a little bit of sax is a very accessible and inexpensive choice. A wonderful time!



Glarry Student Alto Eb E-flat SAX Saxophone Gold Lacquer SAX Beginners Kit with Case, Reeds,Mouth Piece, Soft Cleaning Cloth and Rod,Gloves Review:


Amazing! It's a superb saxophone for beginning students. It cost half as much as renting one for the remainder of the academic year. Engravements have extra details that give you the impression that you are holding something other than a beginner's instrument. It's ideal for my seventh-grader to learn on, and I believe we will use it for many years to come. The reeds and case accessories are a fantastic deal! even came a few days sooner than anticipated.



ammoon Antique Finish Bend Eb E-flat Alto Saxophone Sax Shell Key Carve Pattern with Case Gloves Cleaning Cloth Straps Brush (Style 1) Review:


To be completely honest, I had very little hope for this horn. I can remember of innumerable occasions when I have paid more than this for an average used horn that was in rough shape than the price quoted on this site for this horn as a new one.The saxophone and case were enclosed in a plastic bag-like covering when it arrived in a box. The saxophone was protected from damage during transportation with padding that was put to the keys to keep them safe. This in and of itself has amazed me.The horn is heavier than I anticipated when I took it up. I think it's built pretty well. I quickly examined the keys' functionality after removing the padding that served as protection between them. It has a good feel, is ergonomically sound, and will get better with use. When applying the mouthpiece, pour generous amounts of cork grease to the skeletally dry cork.The first note is a G on the Eb alto sax in concert Bb tuning. I swiftly made changes and tuned it. The intonation remained the same even after I jumped an octave. This horn has greater intonation than several intermediate horns I've played. Here are my initial thoughts after playing a few songs.greater value for your money. Excellent starting horn, excellent horn for people who haven't played in a while and want to pick it back up, or a reliable backup horn. If money is a little tight and you can't buy a high-end sax, you can also use this one as your main horn. It plays music, as intended, fulfilling its purpose. Jazz is what I play the most, and it has a good tone and keywork for my purposes. I'm still in awe.Even though there are some finish problems, it is still lovely, so for the price, I don't really care. It looks quite close to my P Mauriat 66r Tenor Sax and has a vintage feel to it. Any beginning or intermediate player who wants a horn for a very low price should get this one, in my opinion. I'm going to go one step farther and buy their soprano after that.You should definitely try out this horn, in my opinion. Even though the cost is absurdly low, I am not at all disappointed.



LyxJam Alto Saxophone - E Flat Brass Sax Beginners Kit, Mouthpiece, Neck Strap, Cleaning Cloth Rod, Gloves, Hard Carrying Case w/ Removable Straps, Maintenance Guide - 1 BONUS Reeds. Review:


This is fantastic in every way! Given that it is significantly less expensive than those with bigger name brands, I was really hesitant to order it. I was confident that there would be a problem, that it would be too little, etc. When I received it, it was AMAZING! The case may be better and more durable, but that's just a matter of taste. Unfortunately, the ligature that came with this saxophone was bent, so I also had to acquire a new mouthpiece and ligature. It comes with 10, so that is pretty good. Of course, I advise purchasing stronger reeds; in fact, that is what I did. The neck strap that comes with it is simply the strap itself; there is absolutely no padding, so I would also advise purchasing a new one. Since I knew this would happen, I had also ordered a stylish strap along with the saxophone. I was quite happy about how quickly it arrived because I was eager to start playing. Overall, I'm really pleased with my purchase, especially considering how much less expensive it was than other saxophones while still being just as stunning, flawless, and expert as the others I've used (Yamaha, King, etc.)! RECOMMENDED if you want to save some money



Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax w/Tuner, Case, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook and 1 Year Warranty, MAS-BK Black Lacquer E Flat Saxophone Review:


I have the silver keys, nickel-plated body, and instrument. It is the most gorgeous sax I've ever held right out of the box. With 11 reeds and one ready in the mouthpiece, it was ready to play right away.So far, so nice in terms of sound. As an experienced jazz saxophonist, I believe that switching up the mouthpiece and reed is essential to exploring various sound qualities. I put it through its paces by playing all the scales, improvising with two different mouthpieces, and with seven different reeds. I applied a little oil to one pad because it was sticking. The reeds are not very good (the Glory reeds are much better). It plays perfectly fine except from that.I've tried three cheap mainland China saxes so far. Many great saxophonists were extremely underprivileged when they first began, and these inexpensive instruments might be the only ones that aspiring musicians ever own. My son rented an Antigua student model for me to examine, followed by an Amazon Glory and Mendini. They are all produced using the same/similar CAD design, which is based on an expensive Selmer Paris model (built with lower quality materials).Of the three I've tried so far, the Mendini is the best. Even though the sax is new, the key springs were stiffer and the tone was less brilliant than it was on my higher end Antigua pro. The Mendini has been incredibly pleasant to play, and it looks and feels fantastic with a solid mouthpiece and experienced reed. This is nicer than the Bundy and Vito I had as a child.Just so you know, I don't read any reviews that aren't from real customers. The most common critical review appears to be from a person who never purchased this sax. Be wary of reviews from new saxophone players who are using a new reed. Reeds benefit from use and require moisture. A properly trained lip is also necessary for truly good sound.



Mendini by Cecilio MAS-L+92D+PB Gold Lacquer E Flat Alto Saxophone with Tuner, Case, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds and More Review:


I have the silver keys, nickel-plated body, and instrument. It is the most gorgeous sax I've ever held right out of the box. With 11 reeds and one ready in the mouthpiece, it was ready to play right away.So far, so nice in terms of sound. As an experienced jazz saxophonist, I believe that switching up the mouthpiece and reed is essential to exploring various sound qualities. I put it through its paces by playing all the scales, improvising with two different mouthpieces, and with seven different reeds. I applied a little oil to one pad because it was sticking. The reeds are not very good (the Glory reeds are much better). It plays perfectly fine except from that.I've tried three cheap mainland China saxes so far. Many great saxophonists were extremely underprivileged when they first began, and these inexpensive instruments might be the only ones that aspiring musicians ever own. My son rented an Antigua student model for me to examine, followed by an Amazon Glory and Mendini. They are all produced using the same/similar CAD design, which is based on an expensive Selmer Paris model (built with lower quality materials).Of the three I've tried so far, the Mendini is the best. Even though the sax is new, the key springs were stiffer and the tone was less brilliant than it was on my higher end Antigua pro. The Mendini has been incredibly pleasant to play, and it looks and feels fantastic with a solid mouthpiece and experienced reed. This is nicer than the Bundy and Vito I had as a child.Just so you know, I don't read any reviews that aren't from real customers. The most common critical review appears to be from a person who never purchased this sax. Be wary of reviews from new saxophone players who are using a new reed. Reeds benefit from use and require moisture. A properly trained lip is also necessary for truly good sound.



Lazarro Professional Black-Gold Keys Eb E Flat Alto Saxophone Sax, 11 Reeds, Case & Many Extras - 24 COLORS Available - 360-BK Review:


I've decided to start playing the saxophone at the age of 74. never before played anything. Putting everything together for the first time in class. According to the instructor, it's ideal for what I want and will last me a very long time. I had no need to get a more pricey one at this time. He claimed it was crafted extremely well and fit very snugly as he inserted his neck into the horn. The only thing I changed was the mouthpiece to a Clark W. Fobes Debut Student mouthpiece after reading reviews. The mouthpiece that came with it, according to several reviewers, wasn't very excellent, and Fobes was suggested for novices and students. I was blowing notes in less than five minutes after beginning to blow. I've been enjoying it for the past four days. I am powerless to avoid it. My wife is becoming irate with me.Revision #1I've had a sax for a little more than a week, and I still adore it. When they drilled a hole on top, a burr was left behind, and as they attempted to clean the interior of the neck with a handkerchief, it became tangled. Even though I was able to shatter the burr, a small portion of it still protrudes downward. When only one way is used to pull, the handkerchief becomes tangled.sent an email to MusicStore4You from the Amazon website. They responded to me in only two hours. They argued that I didn't want to be without Sax that long and wanted me to send in the neck to see if they could fix it. Then he advised me to contact Amazon for a replacement since it would be the quickest way to receive one. I made the decision to keep the neck and accept that I could only tug the handkerchief in one direction.I sent them emails a total of three times, and each time they responded quickly.They provide excellent customer service, and I highly suggest this sax. I'm sure that if I keep studying, the day will come when I'll desire a more expensive one, but for now, this is perfect for me.Amazon followed up with me after sending an email to MusicStore4You to check if the issue had been rectified.



8-Hole LittleSax: New Style of 2018, Key C, Simple Mini Saxophone, Pocket Sax, Professional instruments for amateurs and professional performers. Review:


It performs well. Reeds are excellent. For someone who wishes to play reed instruments, it's an excellent first instrument. It took me a little while to figure it out. Sound quality is excellent for what it is. I'm having pleasure jamming with friends, camping, and using this small sax at the beach. When acoustically playing with others, it's advantageous that it's not as loud as a full sax.


How do I choose a saxophone?

There is no definitive answer when it comes to choosing a saxophone. However, there are a few factors you should consider when making your decision. First, think about what style of music you want to play. This will help you narrow down your options. Second, consider your budget. Saxophones can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Third, think about what size saxophone you want. There are four main sizes: soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. Each one has its own unique sound. Finally, try out a

How do I know which saxophone to buy?

The best way to know which saxophone to buy is to try out as many different types and brands as possible. You may want to start by renting a few different types of saxophones from your local music store to get an idea of which one you like best. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can then start looking at specific models and brands that fit your budget and playing style. It is also a good idea to talk to other saxophone players and get their opinions on which brands and models they prefer.

How much does a good saxophone cost?

A good saxophone can cost anywhere from around $500 to $5000. The price depends on the brand, the quality, and the features.

Is alto or tenor sax better?

There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on what you are looking for in a saxophone. If you are looking for a saxophone with a deeper, richer sound then the alto sax is probably a better option. If you are looking for a saxophone with a brighter, more piercing sound then the tenor sax is probably a better option. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to decide which saxophone is best for them.

Is learning the sax difficult?

The saxophone is a notoriously difficult instrument to learn. It is often said that the sax is one of the most difficult instruments to play. This is because the saxophone is a very unforgiving instrument. If you make a mistake, it is very difficult to correct it. The saxophone is also a very physical instrument. It is very important to have good breath control and to be able to use your entire body to play the instrument.

Is sax easier to learn than guitar?

I would say that it depends on the person. I know some people who found saxophone to be easier to learn than guitar, and vice versa. I think it really just depends on what you're more interested in and what comes more naturally to you.