Saxophones Recommendations for a professional alto sax

[livwest26]

Hi everyone!

I’m looking to upgrade to a more professional alto saxophone as I begin my career in music.

Something which is versatile and good for jazz, funk, pop music.

Any recommendations would be highly welcome!

I’ve been looking into Selmer and Yangisawa, I’ve also heard that Yamaha has some great makes. My budget is around £2000.

The Selmer AS42 seems interesting but is described as a beginners professional, so I’m not sure whether it would be suitable long term?

Thank you!

 

[Grumps]

Stick to solid name brand horns like the ones you named. Then find one used that you can test play. That way you'll get the best horn for your money.

 

[progger]

Grumps speaks truth. For 2000GBP you should be able to get a fantastic used instrument of some sort. Yamaha 62/82/875 or Yanagisawa (basically any) are what I would look for on the used market in your area, and trying it out is ideal.

I'm a career musician and I've never bought a new saxophone in my life, ever. And I love my horns.

 

[dexdex]

Same advice here.
I’m a fan of the Selmer SA80/SA-II altos, bought mine used 20 years ago, below your budget. Might be a bit pricier these days. Good horns keep their value.
I’d also recommend Yamaha (62/82Z/875) or Yanagisawa (any, if in good condition).

As you’re in the UK, just 2 examples for reference. I don’t know this place, but these are 2 candidates I’d consider. I guess there are plenty of other places for good used horns. Let’s see what comes up in this thread.

SELMER S80 SERIE 11 ,1989 model – Second Hand Saxophones

YAMAHA CUSTOM 82Z , G1 NECK. CHOICE OF TW0 – Second Hand Saxophones

 

[lydian]

Same as @progger and @dexdex . I've never bought a new horn. Huge waste of money when you can get "like new" for half the price. Plenty of excellent used pro horns out there to choose from.

 

[JayeNM]

Ohhhhhhh.....

Yeah, yeah...OK, sure there's the usual....Yama, Yani, Selmer France...

But....then also...your budget is used/secondhand...so...

Eastman
Keilwerth
Buffet S1
Grassi 2000 or Prestige
Maybe B&S 2001
King Super 20
if you come across a contemporary Borgani or Rampone...

....not saying go look for one, just saying if you come across one in your searches, it would be foolish to dismiss any because "oh, these aren't Selmer, Yani, or Yamaha"

 

[livwest26]

Ohhhhhhh.....

Yeah, yeah...OK, sure there's the usual....Yama, Yani, Selmer France...

But....then also...your budget is used/secondhand...so...

Eastman
Keilwerth
Buffet S1
Grassi 2000 or Prestige
Maybe B&S 2001
King Super 20
if you come across a contemporary Borgani or Rampone...

....not saying go look for one, just saying if you come across one in your searches, it would be foolish to dismiss any because "oh, these aren't Selmer, Yani, or Yamaha"

Thank you! This is great. I was intrigued about some other good brands to dive into!

 

[livwest26]

Same advice here.
I’m a fan of the Selmer SA80/SA-II altos, bought mine used 20 years ago, below your budget. Might be a bit pricier these days. Good horns keep their value.
I’d also recommend Yamaha (62/82Z/875) or Yanagisawa (any, if in good condition).

As you’re in the UK, just 2 examples for reference. I don’t know this place, but these are 2 candidates I’d consider. I guess there are plenty of other places for good used horns. Let’s see what comes up in this thread.

SELMER S80 SERIE 11 ,1989 model – Second Hand Saxophones

YAMAHA CUSTOM 82Z , G1 NECK. CHOICE OF TW0 – Second Hand Saxophones

Wicked! Thank you, I’ll look into these. I always wonder which makes within the brands are the good ones to go for

 

[Colin the Bear]

A pro sax is a horn that is easy to live with. Yamaha are very easy to regulate.

The TJ evo II comes in at half your budget new and gets good reviews. Plenty left for a boutique mouthpiece.

I love the sound and feel of a yani but cork and felt regulation is fiddly compared to stack adjusting screws.

Consult the oracle 😉

Shwoodwind reviews.

Curly Bob always has some interesting used altos.

Curly woodwind.

 

[Digger2054]

Curly Bob always has some interesting used altos

He's got a 991 in for less than £2k.

 

[livwest26]

A pro sax is a horn that is easy to live with. Yamaha are very easy to regulate.

The TJ evo II comes in at half your budget new and gets good reviews. Plenty left for a boutique mouthpiece.

I love the sound and feel of a yani but cork and felt regulation is fiddly compared to stack adjusting screws.

Consult the oracle 😉

Shwoodwind reviews.

Curly Bob always has some interesting used altos.

Curly woodwind.

Thank you, just checked out Curly Woodwind and they look really good. I might make a visit.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I hope you buy the 991. It has been haunting my dreams for a while. 🫨

Do have blow on an evo 2 if there's a demo.

 

[Woodpad]

The Hohner President is known to be bright. Only 110000 made, has a cult status and comes from the
Keilwerth family.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Thank you, just checked out Curly Woodwind and they look really good. I might make a visit.

Three of my saxes were bought there, all Yanis - the sop was new, but the alto and tenor were secondhand. My bari is also a Yani, but bought through here.

 

[thomsax]

I’m looking to upgrade to a more professional alto saxophone as I begin my career in music.

You know how to play the sax so just go out and play as many horns you can before you decide what to buy. To play the saxophone is almost the same as to sing. If you can sing in tune, then you can play a saxophone in tune as well.

I have a a copy of an article (translated from dutch to swedish) from early/mid 70's by Leo Van Oostrom. Lots of good advise and reading. I use to give a copy of this article to players/parents who are going to buy a saxophone. Even if it was written 50+ years ago I think it's still up-to-date. This was writen long before internet so the can be new "facts or fakes".

 

[turf3]

Ohhhhhhh.....

Yeah, yeah...OK, sure there's the usual....Yama, Yani, Selmer France...

But....then also...your budget is used/secondhand...so...

Eastman
Keilwerth
Buffet S1
Grassi 2000 or Prestige
Maybe B&S 2001
King Super 20
if you come across a contemporary Borgani or Rampone...

....not saying go look for one, just saying if you come across one in your searches, it would be foolish to dismiss any because "oh, these aren't Selmer, Yani, or Yamaha"

Well, at L2000 a vast range of "professional" alto saxophones is available to you, if you don't require modern. But so many people have been buffaloed into believing that the keys have to be in EXACTLY THAT PLACE or the thing's unplayable; or that "all those old horns play out of tune", that I hesitate to even recommend old horns.. For that money, you can get:

A darn nice Conn 6M
A VERY nice Buescher True Tone, last generation with front F
A pretty good Super 20, though maybe not pretty
A darn nice Martin Committee III
A VERY nice Martin Handcraft Committee 1 or 2 (but it'll almost certainly have been refinished, because of Martin lacquer)
Any number of Vito/Leblanc/Beaugnier made horns, in great condition
Older Buffets
SML
Older Keilwerth, especially branded "H Couf"
An ugly but great playing Buescher 400 of the early best generation

And so on.

 

[Pete Thomas]

You know how to play the sax so just go out and play as many horns you can before you decide what to buy.

I agree with this. If anyone decides it’s time for an “upgrade” then I believe they are at a stage where it’s worthwhile making their own decisions based on trying out various instruments.

 

[Grumps]

Perhaps we should ask what he already has?
Probably just an old Top Hat & Cane...

 

[Dr G]

Perhaps we should ask what he already has?
Probably just an old Top Hat & Cane...

Seriously? What’s the point of gathering information before giving advice?

What a way to kill the vibe…

 

[PigSquealer]

Hi @livwest26 ,you last chimed in on on January 16th, 2026. Your introduction thread. OK so you’re 19 years old..

You never really stated your musical experiences. What brands or models you’ve been playing. What genre of music you wish to have a career in ?
To Answers these questions you’ve asked. (I / we) need more information to help you out.
Gobs of money isn’t always the correct answer