Best Baritone Saxophones for Big Band 2025

Perfect baritone saxophones for big-band - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Baritone Sax

Jazz Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for both melody and bass lines
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
✗ CONS
  • • Difficult to transport
  • • Requires significant air support

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Baritone SaxBaritone SaxophoneBody and keys made of brass in vintage finish...

5.0/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Baritone Sax OT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Baritone Sax OT

Classical Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble sound
✓ PROS
  • • Unique low-end presence
  • • Deep, powerful bass voice
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant air support
  • • Very large and heavy instrument

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Baritone Sax OTBaritone SaxophoneMade of unlacquered gold brassLarge boreHand-hammered...

4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Schagerl 66FL Baritone Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Schagerl 66FL Baritone Saxophone

Classical Ensemble Big Band
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Deep, powerful bass voice
✗ CONS
  • • Most expensive saxophone
  • • Requires significant air support

Schagerl 66FL Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneHigh F# keyBrass lacquer finish: Balanced tone stabilityExcellent...

4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann TBS-150 Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Thomann TBS-150 Baritone Sax

Funk Classical Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Unique low-end presence
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant air support
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Thomann TBS-150 Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneWith low A keyHigh F#Adjustable thumb restBody and keys made ??of...

4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yanagisawa B-WO20 Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Yanagisawa B-WO20 Baritone Sax

Big Band Classical Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Essential for saxophone sections
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Professional ensemble sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Difficult to transport

Yanagisawa B-WO20 Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneElite modelBronze bodyBrass keysHigh F# keyLow A keyC#/Bb and...

4.6/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann BariPRO S Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Thomann BariPRO S Baritone Sax

Contemporary Funk Big Band
Key Feature:
• Deep, powerful bass voice
✓ PROS
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Very large and heavy instrument

Thomann BariPRO S Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneFrom the BariPRO seriesSilver-plated finishHigh F# and low A...

4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann lowJAZZ L Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Thomann lowJAZZ L Baritone Sax

Classical Big Band Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for both melody and bass lines
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Professional ensemble sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Most expensive saxophone

Thomann lowJAZZ L Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneFrom the "lowJAZZ" seriesRange up to low BbLacquered...

4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Startone SBS-75 Baritone Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Startone SBS-75 Baritone Sax Set

Big Band Ensemble Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble sound
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, powerful bass voice
  • • Unique low-end presence
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Most expensive saxophone

Startone SBS-75 Baritone Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone SBS-75 Baritone Sax*Baritone saxophone*Low...

4.8/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Forestone SX Gold Lacquered Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Forestone SX Gold Lacquered Baritone Sax

Contemporary Big Band Funk
Key Feature:
• Essential for saxophone sections
✓ PROS
  • • Unique low-end presence
  • • Professional ensemble sound
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Difficult to transport

Forestone SX Gold Lacquered Baritone SaxBaritone SaxophoneMaterial: Yellow brassHand-engraved bellPisoni padding with...

4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YBS-82 Baritone Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha YBS-82 Baritone Saxophone

Funk Classical Contemporary
Key Feature:
• Unique low-end presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
  • • Deep, powerful bass voice
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Most expensive saxophone

Yamaha YBS-82 Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneCustom seriesErgonomic key layout designNew design for the front F...

4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YBS-480 Baritone Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Yamaha YBS-480 Baritone Saxophone

Big Band Classical Contemporary
Key Feature:
• Essential for saxophone sections
✓ PROS
  • • Professional ensemble sound
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant air support
  • • Most expensive saxophone

Yamaha YBS-480 Baritone SaxophoneBaritone SaxophoneTo deep AGold lacquer finishNeck design adopted from the...

4.6/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann BariPRO VG Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Thomann BariPRO VG Baritone Sax

Big Band Contemporary Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Great for both melody and bass lines
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, powerful bass voice
  • • Professional ensemble sound
✗ CONS
  • • Most expensive saxophone
  • • Difficult to transport

Thomann BariPRO VG Baritone SaxBaritone SaxophoneFrom the BariPRO seriesVintage gold versionHigh F sharp and deep A-...

4.4/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YBS-62II Baritone Sax - NEW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha YBS-62II Baritone Sax - NEW

Classical Contemporary Big Band
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Yamaha YBS-62II Baritone Sax - NEWBaritone SaxophoneAuxiliary keys up to low A and high F#More straightforward...

4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Keilwerth SX 90R Shadow Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Keilwerth SX 90R Shadow Baritone Sax

Big Band Jazz Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for both melody and bass lines
✓ PROS
  • • Unique low-end presence
  • • Great for both melody and bass lines
✗ CONS
  • • Very large and heavy instrument
  • • Most expensive saxophone

Keilwerth SX 90R Shadow Baritone SaxBaritone SaxophoneUp to low ADiameter of the bell: 190 mmWeight: 5 kgBody made of...

5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann BariPRO PB Baritone Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Thomann BariPRO PB Baritone Sax

Contemporary Big Band Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Professional ensemble sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional ensemble sound
  • • Essential for saxophone sections
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant air support
  • • Difficult to transport

Thomann BariPRO PB Baritone SaxBaritone SaxophoneFrom the BariPRO SeriesPure Brass versionHigh F# and low A keyItalian...

5.0/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best Baritone Saxophones

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced baritone saxophones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more