Saxophone Specialists
At Ackerman Music we believe in offering you the best quality instruments at affordable prices. We carry a wide range of instruments from student to top of the range including a selection of top brand saxophones from Buffet, Jupiter, Keilwerth, Trevor James, Yamaha and Yanagisawa.
We have fully equipped workshops which enable us to work on all musical instruments. We employ qualified technicians who handle set-ups, inspections and repairs on woodwind, brass, orchestral stringed instruments and guitars. Brian Ackerman studied clarinet & saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music. A woodwind instrument maker & restorer for over 30 years he was a visiting lecturer on musical instrument repair at Merton college for over 25 years and was awarded an ARAM for services to music. He is vice-president of NAMIR (National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers) and today leads our team of technicians in Hove. All our saxophones are checked through our workshop prior to sale to ensure you receive an instrument that is properly setup and ready to play.
History
The saxophone is a single reed instrument from the woodwind family with a conical bore. It was invented in the early 1840s by Adolphe Sax. The modern layout of the saxophone was developed during the 1930s and 1940s.
Saxophones have typically been manufactured from brass, but some makers have used sterling silver necks and bells, and some are entirely made of sterling silver. Other makers have used nickel silver, high copper content brass or bronze.
The saxophone is a versatile instrument and can be heard in a wide range of musical styles including classical music, military bands, marching bands, big bands, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, pop and contemporary music.
Saxophone Brands at Ackerman Music
Buffet Crampon
Founded in 1825 by Denis Buffet Auger, a clarinet maker, they introduced saxophones into their range in 1866. Once part of the Boosey & Hawkes group they are now French owned again and continue to manufacture a range of saxophones.
Jupiter
First founded in Taiwan in the 1930s. By the 1980s they had established a manufacturing base and they are now one of the largest musical instrument producers in the world.
Keilwerth
Formed in 1925 the Keilwerth company quickly became one of the biggest saxophone manufacturers in Europe. Based in Nauheim, Germany since the late 1940s Keilwerth were also part of the Boosey & Hawkes group and are now owned by Buffet Crampon.
Trevor James
Established in London in 1979 they are now one of the world’s foremost instrument design companies. Their saxophones are multi award winning and they are regarded as one of the leading brands in woodwind instruments.
Yamaha
Founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha, a reed organ maker, Yamaha now manufacture a comprehensive range of musical instruments. By 1978 they were established in the saxophone market and are now considered one of the most influential makers of saxophones with a large professional artist roster.
Yanagisawa
A Japanese company founded in 1894 to repair imported woodwind instruments they started saxophone manufacture in the mid-1950s. Their designs have always been influential in the saxophone world, and they continue to be one of the most innovative saxophone makers today.
Click here to see the full range of saxophones at Ackerman Music
