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Question: What is the best brand and/or company that sells Alto Saxophones!?
I am looking for either a black or silver mental SaxWww@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
There is no such thing as the "best" brand of saxophones!. At the professional level of saxophones, the differences are minute, varying (in other words what brand is better in one category will be behind another brand in another category), and are completely chosen or denied by personal choice!. That is why the advanced/professional level saxophonist tries as many pro level instruments as they can before purchasing!. They also do not base it solely on the color or material (which would only be a plating in the case of silver as it would be extremely heavy if it was solid silver and probably wouldn't vibrate well)!. First off, if the horn is just colored (laquered with a specially colored laquer) it is just to look different, and this can actually lose professional performance gigs because a lot of band leaders don't want someone with a "non-standard" colored saxophone!. If it is one of the saxophones that have a special plating (black nickel, silver, etc) these do alter the tone in ways that you may or may not like!. In general these will darken the tone a bit, and if you want a brighter tone, you don't want to use that finish!. This can be different from person to person though, so again, this is why they try out the instruments before buying them and do not decide based solely on finish!.
Now to the brands that are generally accepted as professional level manufacturers (in no particular order):
Cannonball
Selmer
Yamaha
Keilwerth
Yanigasawa
P!. Muariat

King is no where on this list because King has never made professional level brand!. They were a good intermediate manufacturer about 40-60 years ago, but no longer, especially as they are out of business!. Conn again used to make great pro saxophones, but that was 50+ years ago, and the quality of Conn saxophones any more are nowhere near where they used to be!. It is very much advised that you try out a "vintage" (any saxophone made over about 25 years ago) saxophone to make sure that you like what you are getting!. There are saxophones that people love yet others do not!. I have a 1926 Conn "Chu Berry" alto saxophone, and I love it, but others don't!. Many vintage saxophones have intonation issues that are harder for people to adjust for!.
If you are looking for a new saxophone, please please please try it first to make sure it plays like you want, especially if you are going for "the best!." If you are new, DO NOT buy this high level of instruments!. This is like giving a child a Tour de France bicycle as their first bicycle!. It just isn't a good idea!. If you are new, get a private lesson teacher and have them help you get or rent a quality student saxophone and teach you to play it correctly, and the many pitfalls of buying instruments based on color!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You have Selmer, Conn and King!.

These are the 3 best names!. King is the most expensive but have made their name with the famous solid silver bell on their top of the line Sax!. The tone is sweet and powerful!.

edit!.!.!.!.King make a silver sax!. you might check them out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Selmer is a good brand!.

http://www!.selmer!.com/Www@QuestionHome@Com