How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Saxophone? A Guide for Your First Saxophone Purchase [Updated]

Alanna Hawley
7 days ago
4 min read

For aspiring saxophone players, one of the first hurdles is figuring out how much it costs to buy a saxophone and get started.

From new and used saxophones to rentals and financing, there are a few different options to consider, and we'll cover the general price points of each.

Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission on some purchases made through these links. This will NEVER influence the recommendations that we give students, but it does help support the Play platform when purchased through this link.

How Much Does a New Saxophone Cost?

A new student model saxophone costs anywhere from about $600 to as much as $2,000 or more.

Here's a summary of our top two student model alto saxophone options, along with their typical costs:

Brand and Model	Current Typical Price	Pros/Cons
Yamaha YAS-280	$1,300	Yamaha is a great instrument, and the level of quality (in terms of materials used and construction) will be higher compared to Jean Paul.
Jean Paul AS-400	$600	This is our recommended option for beginners. Jean Paul is a really great balance of quality and price. While the quality of the materials and mechanisms isn't as high as Yamaha's, the quality is still very good and the price point is more affordable.

*Note that tenor saxophones have the same tiers/options, but come in at a higher price point.

Full Breakdown: Budget-Friendly Student Model Saxophones (the top option for most beginners)

The Jean Paul student line starts at $600 for their alto saxophone. We've tested this horn extensively, and it is a great horn to start on. Jean Paul saxophones offer beginners a good balance of quality and budget-friendliness. Jean Paul also offers student model tenor saxophones as well.

Product Links:

View Jean Paul's student Alto saxophone here. (or find it on Amazon here - but we recommend buying directly from the manufacturer when possible!)
View Jean Paul's student Tenor saxophone here. (or find it here on Amazon)

Full Breakdown: Name-Brand Student Model Saxophones

Name-brand saxophones like Yamaha and Selmer have student model horns that range from $1,300 (Yamaha YAS-280) to around $2,000 or more (Selmer).

Product Links:

View the Yamaha student alto saxophone (YAS-280) on Amazon.
You can browse Selmer student models at Sweetwater and Music & Arts.

Buying New vs. Renting vs. Buying Used

In summary, there are three main options you have when it comes to acquiring your first saxophone. We've covered the basic price range and expectations around how much a new saxophone costs, but let's go through the other options as well.

Renting a Saxophone - How Much Does it Cost?

Unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly difficult to rent a saxophone, as many music stores (including Sam Ash) have gone out of business. But from our research, if you're able to rent from a local music store, the saxophone rental cost is typically around $50/month.

Some music stores will give you the option to purchase the saxophone after your rental period ends, but in our experience, the quality of these instruments is not high enough, even for a student model, and we'd recommend going with a Jean Paul student model or a Yamaha student model (Yamaha 280). (Refer back to the first section to see how much these saxophones cost.)

Buying a Used Saxophone

Another way to buy a saxophone at a lower cost is to purchase a used saxophone. When searching for used instruments, stick to reputable brands like Yamaha, Selmer, and Yanagisawa.

If shopping for used saxophones, we recommend looking for the Yamaha YAS-23 series, which is a long-time gem in student model saxophones. Although this model is no longer produced by Yamaha, you can still find used models for sale. You can expect a used Yamaha YAS-23 alto sax to cost around $850 to $1,000, significantly cheaper than buying a new Yamaha saxophone.

If you buy a used saxophone, count on paying a local repair tech to check out the horn and make sure everything is in good condition. Some recommended repairs or maintenance items may come out of this.

As with anything you buy used, it is important you trust the seller, and the more documentation they can provide on the upkeep and condition, the better.

Even though the saxophone has a higher financial barrier to entry compared to other instruments like the guitar, we're thankful for the increased budget-friendly options that have emerged over the years.

Don't forget to visit our full saxophone Gear Guide to learn more about the required supplies to start playing the saxophone. Most of these supplies will be included with your saxophone, but there may be a few extra accessories to budget for.

We can't wait to see you in our free Saxophone Fundamentals course!

Once you've purchased your saxophone, head on over to our free Saxophone Fundamentals course to learn how to put the saxophone together, how to hold the saxophone, and how to make your first sound.

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