AudioFu

Best Tenor Saxophones for Rock 2026

Perfect tenor saxophones for rock - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $800 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Blues For Rock For Soul For R&B For Big Band
BRANDS: Thomann Yamaha Selmer Yanagisawa Schagerl
Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set

by Yamaha
R&B Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*New model with improved...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 517422
$1,792
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax T-1L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax T-1L

by Schagerl
Rock Jazz Soul
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax. T-1LTenor saxophoneWith high F# fkeyBrassGold lacqueredElaborate engravingEasy...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 473638
$2,496
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS

by Selmer
Soul Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSISTenor SaxophoneKey: BbRenewal of the Selmer Series IIIEnlarged diameter of the S-bow...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575742
$10,394
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUM

by Selmer
Soul R&B Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Requires more air support

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUMTenor Saxophone in BbBody: MatteStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the S-bowNew...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 564223
$12,968
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L

by Schagerl
Rock Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L, Tenor Saxophone, With high F# key, Captivates with improved playability and sturdy...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 473640
$3,156
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V

by Schagerl
Soul Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Requires more air support

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2VTenor SaxophoneHigh F# keyBrass "Vintage"UnvarnishedThis saxophone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 473642
$3,266
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM

by Selmer
Big Band Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Requires more air support

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIMTenor SaxophoneKey: BbRenewal of the Selmer Series IIIEnlarged diameter of the S-bow...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575740
$10,064
Buy at Thomann View Details
Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set

by Startone
Jazz Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*With high F# keyWith...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517829
$648
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUP

by Selmer
Soul Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Requires more air support

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUPBb Tenor SaxophoneBody and keys patinatedStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564225
$12,968
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Selmer Axos Tenor Sax

by Selmer
R&B Blues Big Band
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • More expensive than alto models

Selmer Axos Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneBody and mechanism made of brassNarrow scaleHigh F# keyTilter low BbLeather...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 511289
$4,508
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set

by Thomann
Blues Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*High F# keyFront F...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521450
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
Soul Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneBrass body with amber lacquer finish62 S-bow2-piecehand-engraved...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 590651
$4,388
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax

by Rampone & Cazzani
Soul Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor SaxTenor SaxophonePerformance lineNew scaleSmaller bore than the Rampone...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511163
$3,508
Buy at Thomann View Details
BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone

by BetterSax
Blues Big Band Jazz
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

BetterSax Classic Tenor SaxophoneTenor SaxophoneProfessional boreOctave key inspired by King and Yanagisawa...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586859
$1,538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUB

by Selmer
Rock Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Transport case is bulky

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUBBb Tenor SaxophoneBlack lacquer finish bodyStrong projection due to enlarged bore at...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564224
$12,088
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tenor 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 tenor 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.

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