Kessler Custom Handmade NS Solid Nickel Silver Tenor Sax

Kessler Custom ‘Handmade NS’ Tenor Sax – Solid Nickel Silver Tenor

Name: Kessler Custom 'Handmade NS' Tenor Sax - Solid Nickel Silver Tenor
SKU: KCTHMNS
Price: 2949.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (3 reviews)

Rated 5 out of 5 based on 3 customer ratings

$2,949.00

Financing starting at $67.08 / month

United Midwest Financing - Term: 60 Month at 12.99% APR

In stock

Professional Mouthpiece Options!
Upgrade your sax with a great pro mouthpiece at a discounted rate – some are even available at no charge!

Upgrade Your Case
Photos of stock case and case upgrade options shown in the main description below, near the bottom of the page.

Kessler Custom “Handmade NS” Nickel Silver Tenor Sax
Professional Tenor | Solid Nickel Silver Alloy | Rich Core & Tonal Presence

Handmade Series Features
The Kessler Custom Handmade NS solid nickel silver tenor sax is just as the name implies, a completely handmade professional tenor sax. Built by a only 4 skilled artisan technicians, countless more hours are spent on each saxophone ensuring the best build quality with the lowest amount of stress in the construction. The techniques employed on the Handmade models’ construction produce an instrument that has better vibration, response and tonal performance. When combined with our direct sale approach, this gives the customer a saxophone that offers performance without compromise!

Handmade NS Improvements
Our Handmade NS models are equipped with several improvements not found on the other models in our Kessler Custom line.
– Upgraded Solid Nickel Silver Tenor Sax Body Tubing
– Pisoni Pro Pads
– Highest Quality Blue Needle Springs
– Handmade Professional Mouthpiece
– Double Arm Low Bell Keys

Additional Information

Nickel-Silver Alloy
Typically, saxophones are made out of the alloy called “cartridge brass” (also known as “yellow brass”). While the exact formulation of brass can vary from vendors and suppliers, the typical formula is a brass that consists of 70% copper and 30% zinc. Our standard “Handmade Series” tenors are typically made from a higher copper content (85% copper) “RedBrass” alloy for a darker tone.

Our new Handmade NS solid nickel silver tenor sax models instead employ the use of Solid Nickel-Silver. This concept was made most popular in the Keilwerth pro horns, specifically their current “Shadow” model. This alloy weighs more than brass which helps to give the horn a substantial tonal depth, but nickel-silver is also quite vibrant which gives the horn amazingly quick response. It is a harder alloy to manufacture with which increases the cost, but it provides an amazing sonic enhancement to the sax. It is typically an alloy comprised of 60% copper, 20% nickel, 20% zinc. However, after much testing, we found a formula of 63% copper, 17% nickel and 20% zinc to hit an acoustic sweet spot. This formula was put into production on our Handmade NS models in January 2024.

A Nickel Silver Tenor sax will feel more vibrant and get a bit more grit & edge to the performance of the sax but without sacrificing tonal depth and complexity. Our Handmade NS Nickel Silver Tenor Sax will blow you away!

Pisoni Pads
Kessler Custom Handmade Series saxophones utilize the Pisoni Pro pads. These pads are the best leather pad available on the market today and are the same pads you will find on the Selmer Paris horns new. These pads are a firmer pad than typically found on most saxophones. In order to use these pads, a saxophone has to be manufactured to a much higher level of build with more precise toneholes. Once installed, these pads offer 2 major benefits:

Stability
When combined with the better tonehole manufacturing necessary to use the Pisoni Pro pad, these pads are more stable and less likely to develop little leaks. They also provide a much firmer feel to the mechanism of the sax.

Tone Projection
Pads are made from leather and felt which serve as an acoustic dampener which is why saxophone pads use resonator discs. However, even with a resonator, your air column still comes in to contact with the leather and felt of the pad. With the firmer Pisoni Pro pad, you will have less acoustical dampening from the pad which yields better projection, response and power.

Brushed Matte Antique Lacquer Finish
The “Brushed Matte Lacquer” is fantastic! There is no gloss to it leaving the horn looking like a “raw” saxophone. The Matte Lacquer also weighs less than traditional lacquer. This give the player the perception of the horn being more lively, vibrant and a bit edgier in tone. In reality, this is only a perception of the player as this finish doesn’t actually effect the sound of the horn. The other benefit of this finish is that it hides minor scratches that every horn is bound to receive better than high gloss finishes

Does the finish impact the sound? Depends on who you ask… Dave Kessler chimed in on this topic on his personal blog… go give it a read and see his thoughts on the topic.

While our Handmade NS nickel silver tenor sax is only available in this one finish, we do offer our standard Handmade Series tenors in 3 finish other options:

Quick View

Kessler Custom Handmade Series Tenor Sax – Gold Lacquer

$2,499.00

Financing starting @

$56.85 / month

UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR

Select options

Quick View

Kessler Custom Handmade Tenor Sax – Dark Lacquer

$2,649.00

Financing starting @

$60.26 / month

UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR

Select options

Quick View

Kessler Custom ‘Handmade NS’ Tenor Sax – Solid Nickel Silver Tenor

$2,949.00

Financing starting @

$67.08 / month

UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR

Add to cart

Sale!

Quick View

Kessler 20 Tenor Sax – Handmade Series

Financing starting @

$68.24 / month

UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR

Select options

Professional Setup
Every horn we send out to a customer is not released from us unless it has been completely setup in our shop first. This is because the setup on the horn is of the utmost importance! Sometimes, a saxophone (regardless of who the manufacturer or the price point is) comes in needing 20 minutes of adjustments and then the very next one can require 2 hours! So if you were to get 5 of the same model right out of the box, they will all play different which leads people to believe that they are “good” or “bad” saxes… but the reality is that the one that was the best out of the 5 was likely the one that needed the least amount of work and on the flip side, the “bad” sax was the one that needed 2 hours worth of adjustments!

Once the same 5 saxophones are properly regulated and adjusted to perfection, they become near identical saxophones that even the pickiest of players would be challenged to pick a true “favorite” horn. However, since most stores do not or even can not perform this setup, the player never knows this and is simply relying on the luck of the draw. This is why we perform our setup (in our www.SaxophoneRepairs.com ProShop) on them before delivering your new sax to you. You trust us with your purchase and we want to make sure that you are rewarded by giving you your ideal saxophone setup flawlessly!

Specifications

Bore	Professional French Style Bore
Body Material	Solid Nickel Silver Tenor (keywork is brass)
Body Construction	Completely Handmade – Fully Ribbed Body Construction
Pads	High Quality Leather with Metal Domed Resonators
Range	Low Bb to High F#
Finish	Antique Finishing with Brushed Matte Lacquer for Raw Brass Look and Response
Finger Touches	Black Pearl (updated 2018 – formerly Abalone)
Mouthpiece	Several professional mouthpiece options
Ligature	Rico H-Ligature in Gold Plate
Case	Standard Series Case

Case Options

Stock Case
In order to keep costs down and absorb some of the impacts of tariffs, starting in 2026, the stock case on the Handmade Series will be the same case as the Standard/Deluxe Series. This stock case offers solid protection and convenient portability.

Case Upgrades
If you want a better case, we offer a carefully selected array of case options. The BAM France cases are the top recommendation that we give and you can upgrade for a discounted rate. Models available are shown below:

Case Upgrade Options (Click to View)

BAM Cases - 'Conservatoire' Case

BAM Conservatoire Case
The new affordable standard from the most trusted case manufacturer, BAM. The Conseravtoire case provides excellent protection, portability and style at an affordable price.

BAM Tenor Sax Case - Conservatoire Series

BAM Cases - 'SoftPack' Case

BAM SoftPack Case
Read more about this case on its product page by clicking here.

BAM Cases - 'Trekking' Case

BAM Trekking Case
Read more about this case on i’s product page by clicking here.

BAM Cases - 'Cabine' Case

BAM Cabine Case
Read more about this case on i’s product page by clicking here.

Financing Available

Multiple Financing Options Available!

We have a myriad of different financing options available for your new instrument! From affordable monthly payments over a longer period of time to other options that can include 0% Interest or Deferred Interest options, we can help find a way to make the instrument of your dreams become the instrument of your reality! Give us a call!

United Midwest Savings Bank

UMWSB offers flexible, long term financing with term lengths of up to 60 months at an affordable 12.99% APR. Better yet, their financing has No Pre-Payment Penalty so you can pay off your balance at anytime and only pay for the interest for the length of time you had the loan! Minimum of $850 required for UMWSB Financing
Click Here to Find Out More

Synchrony

Synchrony Financial is one of the national leaders in consumer financing. With deferred interest options (Interest if waived if paid off in promotional term) and sometimes, they offer manufacturer partnered promotions to offer you an even better term length. Minimum of $299 required for Synchrony Financing
Click Here to Find Out More

3 reviews for Kessler Custom ‘Handmade NS’ Tenor Sax – Solid Nickel Silver Tenor

Rated 5 out of 5

Craig (verified owner) – September 7, 2016

I’m getting back into playing after a 15-year break. I used to play in my 20’s and wanted to reconnect with my long lost passion. I spent a LOT of time online looking for Selmer’s. Mostly because one of my old teachers had one and I really loved the sound. I started seeing Kessler sax’s coming up in the searches and I was blown away by the look of this horn in particular. I’d also like to note that I’m ordering from Canada so that adds about 30% to the price.

I couldn’t find a horn that sounded this good for this price. I spent a lot of time online listening to you tube reviews and was really impressed by the sound.

I live in a remote area in Canada and don’t have access to a music store to try the horn first. Most of the stores I looked at in Canada were out of stock on all the horns I wanted and the price points for what I wanted were around $4000-5000 which was too much for me. So I took a chance and bought this horn.

WOW! Its beautiful in every way. It sounds amazing. The sales process was reasonably smooth and one of the owners handled my order personally. ( If you are ordering internationally I’d suggest calling in your order first to avoid invoice adjustments due to international shipping. ) The response time to my questions and calls was speedy and professional. I also appreciated the little hand written note on my horn saying someone had tested it and the little extras such as a quality neck strap, Kessler cork grease and a cleaning cloth. The case was awesome and monogrammed with the Kessler logo too! I really liked the “small store” feel of my online experience.

I’d highly recommend using Kessler and Son’s for your next instrument purchase.
Rated 5 out of 5

eliaspaiva669 – September 22, 2021

It’s a solid saxophone. I’ve had it for about 2 years already. The tone is great and I enjoy it. The price is great and the quality is sublime. I’m hoping to use this in jazz band someday. The standard case that comes with it is also great. It’s heavy-duty and has a shoulder strap.
Rated 5 out of 5

baduri (verified owner) – November 9, 2025

I am a beginner sax player and was looking for an upgrade from my entry level tenor sax. I came across on Kessler & Sons reviews and was impressed how they treat beginner players. So I drove from LA down to Vegas to check it out. What can I say, I was really impressed. You don’t get such treatment as a beginner player anywhere in LA area. Dave took time to personally listen and learn all aspects of my playing level as well as where I want to be with a new instrument. He let me test and play different instruments with different neck and mouthpiece settings which was a really good experience for me to have a better understanding of differences. He also gave me a valuable suggestions, which I really appreciate. So I chose Kessler Custom “Handmade NS” Sax – Solid Nickel Silver and I LOVE IT in every way. I love the sound and feel, the look is just stunning. I think this store will be my go to place for all my saxophone needs even it’s about 300 miles away:) This place is family oriented, very friendly and professional. I also bought Eastman tenor for my nephew with a great price. I highly suggest using Kessler & Sons for your next instrument purchase, no matter if you are a beginner or a pro player.

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WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. To find links to manufacturer specific pages about Prop 65, please visit our Prop65 Page by Clicking Here.

WARNING: This product (or finish option) can expose you to chemicals including Nickel, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. To find links to manufacturer specific pages about Prop 65, please visit our Prop65 Page by Clicking Here.