RECOMMENDED SAXOPHONE EQUIPMENT

The following list of equipment is intended for saxophonists interested in pursuing advanced study at the collegiate and graduate level, as well as any enthusiasts who are interested in upgrading their equipment.

All of the listed options are recommended based upon personal experience and opinion. This list is not considered to be a wholly exhaustive inventory of all viable options.

  • HORNS
    Selmer Paris Series III
    Yamaha YSS-675 (entry-level pro, lacks high G)
    Yamaha YSS-875 EX
    Yanagisawa SWO10

    Please note: I only recommend straight sopranos with detachable necks. This style, in my opinion, offers superior performance, intonation, ergonomics, and best meets the needs of the industry.

    CLASSICAL MOUTHPIECES
    Selmer Paris Concept
    Selmer Paris S80 C*
    ↳ if upgrading for the first time, get this one
    Selmer Paris S90 170
    Vandoren Profile SP3
    Vandoren V5 S27+

    CLASSICAL REEDS
    D’Addario Reserve
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère French cut
    Vandoren Traditional (blue box)
    Vandoren V12

    JAZZ MOUTHPIECES
    JodyJazz HR* 6
    Selmer Paris Metal Classic E
    Selmer Paris Super Session E
    Vandoren V16 S6

    JAZZ REEDS
    D’Addario Select Jazz
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère American Cut
    Vandoren JAVA Green
    Vandoren JAVA Red

  • HORNS
    Buffet Senzo
    Selmer Paris Axos (entry-level pro)
    Selmer Paris Series II
    Selmer Paris Series III
    Selmer Paris Signature
    Selmer Paris Supreme
    Yamaha YAS-62 (entry-level pro)
    Yamaha YAS-875 EX
    Yamaha YAS-82 Z

    CLASSICAL MOUTHPIECES
    Selmer Paris Concept
    Selmer Paris S80 C*
    ↳ if upgrading for the first time, get this one
    Selmer Paris S90 180 or 190
    Vandoren Optimum AL3
    Vandoren Profile AP3

    CLASSICAL REEDS
    D’Addario Reserve
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère French cut
    Vandoren Traditional (blue box)
    Vandoren V12

    JAZZ MOUTHPIECES
    Brilhart Ebolin 6 or 7
    D’Addario Select Jazz D6M
    JodyJazz Jet 6 or 7
    Meyer “New York” 6M
    Selmer Paris “Jazz Flow” 5 or 7
    Vandoren V16 A7S+ or A8S+

    JAZZ REEDS
    D’Addario Select Jazz
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère American Cut
    Vandoren JAVA Green
    Vandoren JAVA Red

  • HORNS
    Selmer Paris Axos (entry-level pro)
    Selmer Paris Series II
    Selmer Paris Series III
    Selmer Paris Signature
    Selmer Paris Supreme
    Yamaha YTS-62 (entry-level pro)
    Yamaha YTS-875 EX
    Yamaha YTS-82 Z

    CLASSICAL MOUTHPIECES
    Selmer Paris S80 C* or C**
    ↳ if upgrading for the first time, get this one
    Selmer Paris Concept
    Selmer Paris S90 190
    Vandoren V5 T20
    Vandoren Profile TP4

    CLASSICAL REEDS
    D’Addario Reserve
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère French cut
    Vandoren Traditional (blue box)
    Vandoren V12

    JAZZ MOUTHPIECES
    Brilhart Ebolin 6 or 7
    D’Addario Select Jazz D7M
    JodyJazz HR* 7
    Otto Link “Early Babbitt (EB)” 6 or 7
    Otto Link “Vintage” 6 or 7
    Vandoren V16 T7 or T8

    JAZZ REEDS
    D’Addario Select Jazz
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère American Cut
    Vandoren JAVA Green
    Vandoren JAVA Red

  • HORNS
    Selmer Paris Series II
    Selmer Paris Series III
    Yamaha YBS-480 or 52 (entry level pro, lacks high-F#)
    Yamaha YBS-62
    Yamaha YBS-82
    Yanagisawa BWO1 or BWO10

    CLASSICAL MOUTHPIECES
    Selmer Paris S80 C* or C**
    ↳ if upgrading for the first time, get this one
    Selmer Paris S90 190 or 200
    Vandoren V5 B35
    Vandoren Profile BP3

    CLASSICAL REEDS
    D’Addario Reserve
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère French cut
    Vandoren Traditional (blue box)
    Vandoren V12

    JAZZ MOUTHPIECES
    Berg Larsen 115/0
    JodyJazz Jet 7
    Meyer 6M
    Vandoren V5 B75
    Vandoren V16 B7

    JAZZ REEDS
    D’Addario Select Jazz
    Hemke by D’Addario
    Légère American Cut
    Vandoren JAVA Green
    Vandoren JAVA Red

  • LIGATURES
    AirMusic Superior
    BG Tradition
    BG Duo
    D’Addario H-Ligature
    Ishimori Wood Stone
    Rovner Light (jazz only)
    Vandoren M/O
    Vandoren Optimum

    NECK STRAPS & HARNESSES
    Air Music "Superior" (SAT)
    BG S40H Harness (TB)
    Breathtaking Lithe (SATB)
    Pro Tec LC310M (SAT, leather)
    Pro Tec NB310M (SAT, neoprene)
    Vandoren Universal Harness (TB)

    REED CASES & CARE
    Boveda 72% Humidity Pack
    D’Addario Multi-Reed Storage Case
    EarSpasm Large Heavy Duty Reed Storage Bags
    Micro Digital Hygrometer
    ReedGeek Classic

    DOUBLE CASES (S+A)
    BAM Trekking + Hip Hop
    Marcus Bonna
    Nonaka Sky Case
    Tortajada
    Wiseman