Price range: $2,199.99 through $2,399.99
Handmade Series
The Kessler Custom Handmade NS alto sax is just as the name implies, a completely handmade professional alto 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 Alto Sax Body Tubing
– Pisoni Pro Pads
– Highest Quality Blue Needle Springs
– Handmade Professional Mouthpiece
– Double Arm Low Bell Keys
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” altos are typically made from a higher copper content (85% copper) “RedBrass” alloy for a darker tone.
Our new Handmade NS 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 Alto 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 Alto Sax will blow you away!
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 alto sax is only available in this one finish, we do offer our standard Handmade Series altos in 3 finish options:
Financing starting @
$46.63 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$50.05 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$51.18 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$54.59 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
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!
| Bore | Professional French Style Bore |
| Body Material | Solid Nickel Silver Alto (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 | Cultured Black Pearls |
| Mouthpiece | Pro Level Mouthpiece (Customer’s Choice) |
| Ligature | Rico H-Ligature in Gold Plate |
| Case | Standard Series Case |
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. We also have a small number of the GL Cases GLE Series Contoured Case, which used to be the “stock case” on this model for years. You can still choose that case as a free upgrade while supplies last.
All Case Models available are shown below:
Stock Case: GL Cases – GLE Series Contoured Case
While Supplies Last! We are no longer going to be importing the GL cases for our saxophones due to changes in tariffs.
Weighing approximately 4 pounds and providing an exceptional fit for the horn, the GLE Series case offers exceptional protection and portability. Read more about this case on it’s product page by clicking here.
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 Cases – “SoftPack” Case (black or terracotta)
Read more about this case on it’s product page by clicking here.
BAM Cases – “Trekking” Case (black)
Read more about this case on it’s product page by clicking here.
BAM Cases – “Cabine” Case (black)
Read more about this case on it’s product page by clicking here.
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!
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 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
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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.
Financing starting @
$81.89 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$219.72 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$51.18 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$319.81 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$532.73 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$100.82 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
Financing starting @
$134.21 / month
UMWSB, 60 Mo @ 12.99% APR
BAM Alto Sax Trekking Case 
Inspirada
Sloan Canyon
Springs
St Rose
grygrdnr (verified owner) –
I am a teacher, a former college Music Dept head, and HS Band and Orchestra director. I play primarily Jazz. A few years ago I bought a Kessler Tenor after a LONG search. It was the best of all the MANY different brands I had, all of which costed more. I recently changed jobs and the first regular gig I got was playing…Alto. The Alto I was using was good, and a great brand but I decided to try the Kessler NS Alto. I LOVE IT! The horn responds very quickly and plays very well in tune. My tone, sound, and intonation are right where I want them. I am very happy with the horn and plan to play it for a long time. (I even got rid of the “big name ” sax I had.) My only reservation is purely cosmetic: I would prefer that the keys match the body or at least be a shiny silver lacquer. However, that is purely cosmetic and what counts is the music. Great horn and the Nichol silver alloy is fantastic! Try this horn, you will not regret it!
Jon Kightlinger (verified owner) –
I’m starting to take lessons after a number of years and wanted 2 saxophones; one for lessons and a nicer sax to play at home. I bought the Kessler Handmade Solid Nickel Silver Alto for the lessons and a Yamaha 62III silver plated to play at home.
I find myself playing the Kessler more! It’s solid and looks much better in person. The pictures on this website don’t do it justice. It’s beautiful and looks fantastic with the matte finish and all the engraving.
I recently started my lessons (after 30 years off), and when my instructor pulled out his old Selmer MKVI and said, ‘let’s play a few lines together’, my Kessler sounded amazing next to his! I couldn’t tell the two apart, it was like listening to one saxophone playing those lines.
I use a Vandoren Optimum AL3 mouthpiece with a Rovner Versa X ligature, and Vandoren Java 2.5 reeds (green box).
I’m extremely happy with my purchase!
This Sax is solid, sounds great, looks amazing, and no problem singing in the upper and lower registers. I’m glad I discovered Kessler & Sons website.
yochris (verified owner) –
FABULOUS pro alto for a student horn price. Sings with a beautiful, round, resonant tone in all registers. Intonation is as good as any alto I have played. This is the alto sound I have been searching for. Really curious to try other Kessler Custom horns. Wow!