Buying guide for best saxophone stands
If you’re a musician, you need to have all the accessories of your trade available to you, whether you’re traveling with a band, doing gigs around town, playing in a studio, or performing in concert. Yes, you could get by with the bare minimum if you had to, but it makes life easier if you have all the extras.
If you’re a saxophone player, it’s helpful to have a stand for your instrument. A saxophone stand gives you somewhere to put your sax when you’re not using it. You don’t have to take it apart and put it back in its case because you have somewhere you can safely place it — a tremendous time saver. And with a stand in tow, you won’t be tempted to place your precious instrument in a spot where it might get bumped or fall over, leading to pricey repairs.
If you play multiple instruments, a stand becomes a necessity, especially if you have to switch back and forth during a session. You need somewhere to put your sax while you’re playing other instruments. Read on to learn more about saxophone stands. We can help you decide which one to get.
Key considerations
Type of saxophone
The first factor to consider when buying a saxophone stand is which type of sax you play: alto, tenor, soprano, or bass-baritone. Saxophones get heavier as they increase in size, so a stand that’s designed to hold a smaller alto or tenor sax might be wobbly and unsteady under the weight of a soprano or bass-baritone sax. It might even collapse altogether. Make sure you’re getting the right size stand for your saxophone.
If, as frequently happens, you play more than one saxophone, you might need to purchase multiple stands for the different types.
Permanent or portable
Most saxophone stands are portable, but there are some permanent ones that aren’t intended to be moved from place to place. Those are mostly designed to display your saxophone rather than to hold it during a practice session or on stage.
Expert Tip
Rubberized feet on a saxophone stand will help prevent it from sliding across the floor. These feet may wear down and need to be replaced on occasion.
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Features
Locking legs
Legs that lock in place provide a saxophone stand with more stability than those that don’t. They also cost a little extra, so there is a trade-off. The less movement and/or play there is in the legs, the more stable the stand will be overall.
Adjustability
Some stands have an adjustable neck and base to handle different saxophone sizes. These are more expensive than stands that can’t be adjusted. Notably, adjustable sax stands can only be adjusted so far. You can’t adjust a stand for an alto sax to hold a bass-baritone sax. There is too much difference in size between them.
Foldability
Except for wooden stands that are considered permanent display stands, all saxophone stands fold to some degree. Some fold more compactly than others, so you should pay close attention to the details. If the legs fold straight down, the stand won’t be as compact as if the legs fold up toward the neck.
Carrying bag
A carrying bag is a nice touch for a saxophone stand. The bag will help protect the stand from scratches during transport. It looks more professional, too.
Clarinet pegs
A saxophone stand that has a clarinet peg on one or more of the legs is a nice bonus for musicians who play both. Some stands have more than one peg hole, so you can mount additional clarinets or flutes on the stand if you choose. In those instances, you would probably have to buy extra pegs separately, though there are some products that include more than one peg with purchase. Be sure to read the fine print so you know what you’re getting.
Material
Most saxophone stands are made of hollow tubes of powder-coated steel. Some might be made from powder-coated aluminum, but these are generally too flimsy. You will find some wooden saxophone stands as well, though these are more rare.
Weight
Saxophone stands typically weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. A heavier stand is generally sturdier and less wobbly than a lighter stand. If stability is a concern and you’re debating between two stands — a heavier one and a lighter one — you should strongly consider the heavier one.
Color
Most saxophone stands are black. Some might have a splash of color at the base where the legs connect, but that is it. Occasionally, you’ll find a silvery steel or brass colored stand, but black is the most common color. Wooden saxophone stands will be whatever color the wood is.
"When a saxophone is on its stand, the elevated mouthpiece will be pointing in your direction as you approach the stand."
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Saxophone stand prices
Inexpensive: The lowest prices you will find come in under $20. Saxophone stands in this range generally don’t fold as compactly as pricier models, and they probably won’t come with a carrying bag. The legs may not lock very well.
Mid-range: Between $20 and $35, you will find heavier saxophone stands that come with peg holes for clarinets or flutes — as well as at least one peg. These stands are generally adjustable, and some may include a carrying bag.
Expensive: You could spend anywhere from $35 to $150 for a saxophone in this upper price tier. These stands will have peg holes and perhaps one or two pegs included. You will also likely get carrying bag, locking legs, and an adjustable neck and base to accommodate different saxophone sizes. At the top of this range, you will also find solid wood display stands.
Expert Tip
The U-shaped curve at the top of a sax stand is where the bell of the saxophone rests. When the saxophone is properly positioned on the stand, the front of the bell will be in the back of the curve.
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Tips
- If you play more than one instrument in an orchestra, consider a stand a necessity. Depending on the piece you’re playing, you may only have a few measures during which to switch instruments. You definitely need to position the stand next to you to hold both instruments.
- If you play in a jazz band, keep the stand toward the back of the stage so you and your fellow musicians won’t trip over the outstretched legs. If you need quick access to the stand, position it next to something else, such as a piano or drum set, that will act as a shield to keep people from tripping over it.
- Unless you absolutely need to save on weight, spend some extra money to get the heaviest saxophone stand you can. Vibrations from other musical instruments, particularly the drums, can make a lightweight stand topple over, damaging your sax.
Other products we considered
We like the Hercules Alto/Tenor Sax Stand. It comes with a peg for a clarinet or flute, and it has an extra peg hole if you want it to hold a third instrument. What’s more, it has the famous Hercules quality you've come to expect.
We also appreciate the Zither Wooden Saxophone Stand. It is made from solid mahogany wood; there is no laminate or particle board in this stand. It is a quality display stand, hand finished and oiled, for showing off your saxophone. Some assembly is required when it arrives, and it is an expensive piece of furniture.
FAQ
Q. How tall are saxophone stands for alto and tenor saxophones?
A. Each manufacturer has its own standards, but generally, the stands will be between 13 and 20 inches in height.
Q. How high will the top of the saxophone be when it’s on the stand?
A. It depends on how high the base rest on the stand is and what angle the neck is at. An alto saxophone is usually 25 inches long, and a tenor saxophone is 28 inches long. Measure from the floor up to the base peg, then from there to the top of the saxophone when it’s on the stand. In many cases, the vertical distance above the floor and the tip of the saxophone will be three feet or less.
Q. Can a saxophone stand be carried in the case with the saxophone?
A. No. Saxophone cases have form-fitting interiors that match the saxophone. They don’t include extra space for other items.
