The Best Saxophones on Reverb
The most popular saxophones on Reverb, updated daily.
A moody presence that can go from sultry to stark in a single breath, saxophones are immediately recognizable with an irreplaceable sound. It's not hard to pick them out wherever you look: the jazz of Charlie Parker, the searing rock of Clarence Clemons and Bruce Springsteen, the creative frontiers of Colin Stetson's work with Arcade Fire and Bon Iver.
Whether you're a beginner, someone with experience looking to upgrade, or a seasoned pro looking for a new workhorse, keeping an eye on the best-selling saxophones is never a bad idea. From the accessibility of the Selmer Bundy II Alto to the polished looks and tone of the Yamaha YTS-62III Professional Tenor, the most in-demand saxophones can be found here.
This page updates in real time with current data, so what you’re seeing is up-to-the-minute rankings. Click on each entry for more info and check out the bottom of the page for more details on buying a saxophone.
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Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone
Starting at $390Built with a clear-baked epoxy lacquer, nickel-plated keys, and all yellow brass neck, body, and bell, the Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone is a formidable entry in the world of entry-level woodwind instruments. Built with a host of features associated with more expensive models like leather pads with wool felt and Front F auxiliary keys, the YAS-23 is as comfortable on a marching band practice field as it is in a jazz club. The predecessor to Yamaha's current student model, this sax's place as a discontinued instrument makes it much more affordable and a great choice for starter musicians. - 2
Cannonball B5-BICEB Stone Series Big-Bell Baritone Saxophone
Starting at $229.99 - 3
Yamaha YAS-26 Standard Alto Saxophone
Starting at $910 - 4
Yamaha YTS-23 Tenor Saxophone
Starting at $1,295The YTS-23 is the discontinued predecessor to Yamaha's current student model, the YTS-26.
Years of production: 1990s-ca. 2010
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, nickel-plated keys, polyester key buttons, Front F auxiliary keys - 5
Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Sax Outfit w/ Contoured Case
Starting at $599.99 - 6
Yamaha YAS-200ADII Alto Saxophone
Starting at $475The YAS-200AD is the predecessor of Yamaha's YAS-23 student model. The second generation features an improved neck receiver.
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, nickel-plated keys, Front F auxiliary keys - 7
Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone 1960 - 1969
Starting at $5,500 - 8
Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Saxophone
Starting at $1,999Based on the specifications of the company's original flagship 62 series, the YTS-62 is Yamaha's most popular professional series tenor saxophone.
Years of production: ca. 1990-2000
Features: Annealed yellow brass neck/body/bell, hand-engraved bell, Yamaha G1 mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, tilting-style low Bb spatula keys, polyester key buttons, Front F and High F# auxiliary keys - 9
Yamaha YAS-62 Alto Saxophone
Starting at $1,725.40Conceived as a professional instrument available at an affordable price point, the YAS-62 is based on Yamaha's well-known 61 line. The saxophone implements professional elements such as tilting low Bb spatula keys, refined key shape, and annealed brass for denser material and clearer tone.
Years of production:1979-present
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, hand-engraved bell, Yamaha AS4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, polyester tone buttons, Front F auxiliary keys - 10
Yamaha YTS-62III Professional Tenor Saxophone
Starting at $249Based on the specifications of the company's original flagship 62 series, the YTS-62 is Yamaha's most popular professional series tenor saxophone.
The third generation features a slighter bore through the neck intended to produce better response and control.
Years of production: ca. 2010-present
Features: Annealed yellow brass neck/body/bell, hand-engraved bell, Yamaha G1H mouthpiece, plastic tone boosters, tilting-style low Bb spatula keys, polyester key buttons, Front F and High F# auxiliary keys - 11
Yamaha YAS-200AD Alto Saxophone
Starting at $585The YAS-200AD is the predecessor of Yamaha's YAS-23 student model and features power-forged keys, adjustable key guard felts and tapered pivot screws.
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, nickel-plated keys, Front F auxiliary keys - 12
Selmer Bundy II Alto Saxophone
Starting at $65The Selmer Bundy II Alto Saxophone is generally considered an excellent beginner or student-level alto saxophone. - 13
Yamaha YAS-475 Alto Saxophone
Starting at $1,305.89The YAS-475 was intended as an intermediate model featuring a redesigned neck, silicon-treated leather, and a tilting style low Bb spatula key.
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, nickel-plated keys, Front F auxiliary keys - 14
Selmer Mark VI Soprano Saxophone 1970 - 1975
Starting at $4,400 - 15
Yamaha YAS-62III Professional Alto Saxophone
Starting at $2,070.48Conceived as a professional instrument available at an affordable price point, the YAS-62 is based on Yamaha's well-known 61 line. The saxophone implements professional elements such as tilting low Bb spatula keys, refined key shape, and annealed brass for denser material and clearer tone.
The third generation features a slimmer neck designed to more easily attain consistent tone.
Years of production:1979-present
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, hand-engraved bell, Yamaha AS4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, polyester tone buttons, Front F auxiliary keys - 16
Keilwerth JK2401-5B2 SX90R Shadow Vintage Alto Saxophone
Starting at $159.99 - 17
Yamaha YTS-480 Intermediate Tenor Saxophone
Starting at $1,950The YTS-480 is designed as an intermediate model for beginners/students to transition into a higher-quality model. The saxophone features a neck based on the specifications of Yamaha's professional YTS-62 series.
Features: Yellow brass neck/body/bell, annealed neck, hand-engraved bell, Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, leather pads with wool felt, plastic tone boosters, nickel-plated keys, polyester key buttons, Front F and High F# auxiliary keys - 18
Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone 1960 - 1969
Starting at $5,999.99 - 19
Yanagisawa AWO10 Standard Alto Saxophone
Starting at $70 - 20
Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone 1970 - 1975
Starting at $5,000
What to Consider When Buying a Saxophone
Student/Intermediate/Professional
As you might have guessed, these three distinctions mark out general divisions in material, build quality, and ultimately, price. Each has its advantages: for example, in addition to being the most affordable, Student models are also good options heavy use in that wear and tear won't set you back thousands like it would with a Professional model.
Generally speaking, Student models do the trick, Professional models offer markedly improved tone with extra flourishes like engravings, and Intermediate hit that sweet spot of pro tone and feel without as much flash.
Alto/Tenor/Baritone
This is going from small to large with specific applications according to genre and even a player's stature. Alto saxes are the most popular for their smaller size and multitude of classical pieces at the ready. Tenors are popular among jazz players for its blend of articulation and more robust tone, and the Baritone is a whale of an instrument with the lowest tones and biggest body.