Alto saxophones are known for their warm and soothing sound. And if you have stumbled upon this article, there is a great chance that you are looking for one. Whether you are a beginner who is seeking for a new instrument, or a seasoned musician looking for an upgrade, choosing for the best alto saxophone could be a dilemma.Since there are a lot of alto saxophones today, it would really be daunting to choose the most appropriate one. On this article, we are going to cover ten of the best alto saxophones in the market for your perusal.
What to Look for in the Alto Saxophones
Before we look at the ten best alto saxophones in the market, it is but proper to identify the features that you should look for in any alto saxophone. By doing so, you could narrow down your options to a chosen few. Here are some of the features that you have to consider before purchasing an alto saxophone.
Construction of the body
Alto saxophones could either have ribbed or non-ribbed construction. With a ribbed construction, weight is added to your saxophone, changing its vibration. They usually give a warmer sound because of this weight. On the other hand, having a heavier saxophone could affect the playability of your instrument in a negative way.
Materials and finishes
Most of the alto saxophones which are sold in the market have bodies which are made up of yellow brass. Others have materials such as sterling silver, copper, and bronze constituting the other parts of the saxophone. It is worth noting that such materials may darken the tone, but they could also be more expensive. A clear lacquer is a standard finish for most saxophones today. However, a lot of today’s saxes have other finishes which include colored lacquers, vintage, or black nickel plate, among others.
These are just some of the vital elements that should be considered before purchasing an alto saxophone. Now, you shall be acquainted with ten of the best alto saxophones.
Best Alto Saxophones
| Best Alto Saxophones | Price |
| 1. Mendini by Cecilio MAS-L+92D+PB E Flat Alto Saxophone | Under $220 |
| 2. Glory Professional Alto Eb SAX Saxophone | Under $220 |
| 3. Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone | Under $450 |
| 4. Monoprice Eb Alto Saxophone | Under $300 |
| 5. Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax | Under $300 |
| 6. Glory High Grade E Flat Alto Saxophone | Under $250 |
| 7. Windsor MI-1005 Student Alto Saxophone | Under $250 |
| 8. YAMAHA YAS-280 Student Alto Saxophone | Under $1200 |
| 9. Kaizer Alto Saxophone | Under $350 |
| 10. Ammoon Brass Engraved Eb Alto Saxophone | Under $250 |
All Alto Saxophones
1. Mendini by Cecilio MAS-L+92D+PB E Flat Alto Saxophone
First on the list is the Medini by Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone. It has a gold lacquered body and keys as high as F#. This saxophone has a large bore and ribbed construction, with quality leather pads and metal tone boosters. It has contoured keys with faux mother of pearl inlays. This alto saxophone comes with a durable hard shell case, a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a box of ten reeds that are 2.5 inches long. The set also includes a chromatic string tuner with a metronome and a pocketbook.
2. Glory Professional Alto Eb SAX Saxophone
The Glory Professional Alto Eb SAX Saxophone is another great choice when picking a good alto saxophone. One of the primary features of this saxophone is that it could reach up to a high F#. This alto saxophone has a hand engraved bell decoration, a set of high quality leather pads with metal resonators, and adjustable key height screws. Moreover, it is equipped with accurate sound hole positions that would enable the player’s finger to rest comfortably. Because of its compact design, the saxophone could be played by adults and children easily.This alto saxophone comes with 11 pieces of reeds, a cushion hard shell case, a mouthpiece, and a neck strap, among others.
3. Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone
The Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone is an instrument with a brass or silver configuration and a Lacquer finish. It could be an excellent instrument for those who are still beginning to play this alto saxophone. The said saxophone comes with a robust carrying case so that it could be transported easily. It also includes accessories such as a Rico Reed, a Cork grease, cleaning cloth, swabs, and a mouthpiece.
4. Monoprice Eb Alto Saxophone
The Monoprice Eb Alto Saxophone is an attractive and long lasting alto saxophone with a gold lacquer body. It is constructed with perjuring keypads, ensuring a long-lasting yet excellent tone. It includes a pad saver cleaning rod that helps protect your keys and pads. Moreover, it has an adjustable key height, making it suitable for all ages.This alto saxophone has everything you need to get started: a zippered hard shell case, marching gloves, and a cleaning cloth.
5. Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax
The Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax is an alto saxophone with a high F# key. It could come in various colors such as black, gold, or green. This saxophone has a large bore and ribbed construction, with quality leather pads and metal tone boosters. It also has contoured keys with faux mother of pearl inlays. This alto saxophone comes with a durable hard shell case, a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a box of ten reeds that are 2.5 inches long. The set also includes a chromatic string tuner with a metronome and a pocketbook.
6. Glory High Grade E Flat Alto Saxophone
The Glory High Grade E Flat Alto Saxophone is an alto saxophone that could reach as high as F#. This instrument has a hand engraved bell decoration, a set of high quality leather pads with metal resonators, and adjustable key height screws. Furthermore, it is equipped with accurate sound hole positions that would enable the player’s finger to rest at ease. Because of its compact design, the saxophone could be played by adults and children effortlessly.This alto saxophone comes with 11 pieces of reeds, a cushion hard shell case, a mouthpiece, and a neck strap, among others.
7. Windsor MI-1005 Student Alto Saxophone
The Windsor MI-1005 Student Alto Saxophone is another option when searching for a good alto saxophone, especially if you are a student. It has a gold lacquer finish, an engraved bell decoration, and pearloid keycaps. It also includes responsive spring keys, a lightweight saxophone case, an adjustable strap, a cleaning kit, and a cork grease. Due to its features, this alto saxophone would be suitable for saxophone students up until fifth grade.
8. YAMAHA YAS-280 Student Alto Saxophone
The YAMAHA YAS-280 Student Alto Saxophone provide a good start for students yearning to play the instrument because this alto saxophone is designed with the beginners in mind. Ergonomically shaped and lightweight, this sax is easy to hold and play. Its intonation is perfect, producing an excellent sound.This instrument is further enhanced with a more stable neck receiver which promotes a quick response and ease of use when playing. It could be played as low as the B key. This alto saxophone further supports a clear response from notes in the lower range.
9. Kaizer Alto Saxophone
The Kaizer Alto Saxophone is built using only the quality solid brass which enhances the tonality, especially if it is compared to any other types of materials. It has advanced sensitive response and premium steel springs for faster action. Its professional leatherette pads deliver maximum intonation control and comfort. This alto saxophone is designed for both beginners and professionals.This alto saxophone includes a molded case, a mouthpiece and ligature set, cleaning rod, and lubricant, among others.
10. Ammoon Brass Engraved Eb Alto Saxophone
The Ammoon Brass Engraved Eb Alto Saxophone is a brass instrument which could reach as high as F#. It has a brass engraved body and abalone shell buttons. It is also equipped with water-resistant leather pads and accurate sound hole positions. It has a reed attached on the mouthpiece for convenient use. Users will be ensured that this saxophone produces a rich tone.This alto saxophone also includes a hard shell case, a mouthpiece, a case belt, and a neck strap, among others.
Conclusion
As a saxophonist, it is necessary that you avail of the best alto saxophones as your instrument. When choosing your instrument, it is essential to identify their features so that you would know which of the products mentioned above would suit your preference the most.
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