Introduction
A Saxophone is a beautiful instrument, and with the resurgence of vinyl records and old-school music, more and more people are picking up on the trend. If you’re one of them and are looking for the best sax for the buck, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve scrounged the market for the best saxophone available in the year of 2019 and have come up with a list of the 10 exceptional models from world class giants such as Yamaha, Selmer, Jean Paul, and such. Without any further ado, let’s get straight to the reviews.
Top 10 Saxophones Comparison Chart – Highest Value Models
Model name | Saxophone type | Distinguishable features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Yamaha YTS 62III Tenor Saxophone | Tenor Saxophone | Polyester key buttons, hand engraved bell decoration, adjustable thumb rest, complementary backpack style carry case | |
Selmer SAS280 La Voix II Saxophone | Alto Saxophone | Characteristically warm sound, yellow brass construction, nylon resonator, black nickel plating | |
Yamaha YAS-280 Saxophone | Alto Saxophone | Gold lacquer finish, Aux keys High F# & front F, complementary neck strap | |
Jean Paul USA TS 400 | Tenor Saxophone | Brass construction, lacquer finish, engraved bell decoration, complementary carry case, Rico reed, cork grease, and cleaning cloth | |
Jean Paul USA AS-400 | Alto Saxophone | Eb key, lacquer finish, nylon resonators, comes outfitted with a Rico Reed, cork grease, a set of gloves, and a cleaning cloth | |
Kaizer Alto Saxophone 1000 Series | Alto Saxophone | Durable leatherette pads, steel springs, Eb key, available in nickel, black nickel, and lacquer finish | |
Ammoon Antique Finish Eb key Alto saxophone | Alto Saxophone | E-flat key, bronze build, antique finish, water resistant pads, comes outfitted with a carry case, a mouthpiece, a cleaning cloth, and a set of gloves | |
Eastar AS II Alto Saxophone | Alto Saxophone | Copper build, leather pads, blue-copper needle spring, comes with a carry case, a mouthpiece sat, cork grease, and a leather strap | |
Mendini By Cecilio MAS-L Saxophone | Alto Saxophone | Gold lacquer finish, Eb key, large bore, fully ribbed construction, pearl inlays, comes with a hard shell carry case, a neck strap and 10 reeds | |
LazarroEb Alto Saxophone | Alto saxophone | Black/gold finish, comes with a mouthpiece, ligature, a fabric case, a neck strap, a cleaning cloth, a cleaning rod, and a pack of white gloves |
1. Yamaha YTS 62III Professional Tenor Saxophone
Yamaha YTS 62III Professional Tenor Saxophone
Yamaha YTS 62III Professional Tenor Saxophone
Having an unparalleled performance and intonation, Yamaha YTS 62III is aesthetically pleasing. Featuring a set of playable keys, it offers a wide range of tones that sound authentic.
Let’s start off our review of the best saxophone models with Yamaha’s YTS 62III. Essentially, this is one of the finest, best sounding saxophones you could get for the money as it boasts unparalleled performance, durability, and intonation.
This saxophone sounds absolutely fantastic. It features a set of very playable keys and excels in pretty much every field of performance. In terms of aesthetics, you can opt between gold and silver plated finish.
In terms of sound, Yamaha’s YTS 62III practically has no equal. It offers a huge range of available tones and it sounds exquisitely authentic. Of course, this is only to be expected from one of the best saxophone models in the upper bracket of the boutique category.
There’s one more feature that contributes to its overall value. You will benefit from a complementary hard shell case for easier transportation of your YTS 62III.
The only bad thing about it is that it costs a lot. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive saxophones out there, so be prepared to start saving up if you like it.
Pros
Cons
2. Selmer SAS 280 La Voix II Alto Saxophone
Selmer SAS 280 La Voix II Alto Saxophone
Selmer SAS 280 La Voix II Alto Saxophone
Featuring a full Yellow Brass Construction, Selmer’s SAS 280 La Voix II has a traditional built with warmer tones. Having remarkably responsive keys, this model is ideal for both professionals and intermediate players.
Next up is Selmer’s SAS 280 La Voix II Alto saxophone. Essentially, the SAS 280 brings a wide variety of benefits to the table, including a remarkably robust construction, a beautiful design, and a set of tone keys that are very easy to play.
First things first, the Selmer’s SAS 280 La Voix II Alto saxophone features a full yellow brass construction. This saxophone is remarkably sturdy; it’s obvious that it was made to last for decades, if not more.
In terms of sax geometry, it was built in a very traditional manner. The tonal qualities it provides are very authentic, perhaps a bit accentuated on the warmer side.
Although Selmer’s SAS 280 La Voix II Alto is a professional saxophone, it’s actually pretty decent for intermediate level players as well. The keys are very responsive and placed in a convenient way with optimal space between them.
Aesthetic wise, there are three finishes for you to choose from, including the black nickel, copper body complemented with the yellow-brass bell, and plain lacquer. Just like our previous pick, this saxophone is also pretty expensive, but it holds a substantial value for the cash.
Pros
Cons
3. Yamaha YAS 280 Alto Saxophone
Yamaha YAS 280 Alto Saxophone
Yamaha YAS 280 Alto Saxophone
Crafted for beginners, Yamaha’s YAS 280 is lightweight and durable. Featuring responsive keys and a Lacquer Finish, this saxophone has adjustable thumb rest and easy finger positioning.
We’ve seen what Yamaha’s YTS 62III can offer, so we decided to add another one of their models – the YAS 280 Alto Saxophone. Note that these saxophones are from different series and are pretty much nothing alike.
Firstly, the YAS 280 Alto Saxophone is a beginner’s saxophone, as opposed to YTS 62III which is made for professional saxophonists. It features a set of highly responsive keys and packs a lightweight, but highly durable frame. Moreover, it features a rather basic lacquer finish which doesn’t necessarily contribute to its performance, but it does provide a protective layer against oxidation.
One of the most distinguishable features of Yamaha’s YAS 280 is its ergonomic design. The thumb rest is fully adjustable and allows for easy finger positioning.
The only thing that you might not like about it so much is that it’s quite expensive for a beginner, but it’s well worth the buck due to all the benefits it brings to the table.
Pros
Cons
4.Jean Paul USA TS 400 Tenor Saxophone
Jean Paul USA TS 400 Tenor Saxophone
Jean Paul USA TS 400 Tenor Saxophone
Being one of the best tenor saxophones, Jean Paul USA TS 400 is highly responsive and has a set of tapered pivot-keys. A full yellow brass construction with lacquer finish along with complementary accessories makes it ideal for beginners and intermediates.
Here we’re looking at the first Jean Paul USA saxophone in our review, and it just so happens that it’s one of the best tenor saxophone models you can get for the money. It comes supplied with a set of power-forged keys that are exceptionally responsive, as well as a set of tapered pivot-keys. They are the reason why the TS 400 is absolutely adored by beginners and intermediate level players alike.
The Jean Paul USA TS 400 Tenor Saxophone features a full yellow brass construction with a lacquer finish, so not only is it durable, but it looks just the part. It also packs a beautifully engraved bell. If the lacquer finish isn’t to your liking, the TS 400 also comes in the silver plated variation.
The reason why this is one of the best saxophone models out there is because it comes supplied with a wide variety of complementary accessories. Namely, the bundle includes a contoured durable carry case that substantially improves its transportability, as well as a Rico Reed, a cork grease, a cleaning cloth, some swabs, and a mouthpiece.
It’s not the cheapest of saxophones in the medium price point category, but it’s certainly far from being expensive. The only problem people seem to have with this saxophone bundle is not with the instrument itself, rather it’s the complementary carry case that’s troublesome. It’s not exactly durable.
