Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor, patented his family of saxophones in 1846. His invention combined the single reed of the clarinet with the bore and fingering patterns of the oboe, producing the tonal qualities of neither. The end of the First World War marked the time when the production of saxophones went into high gear, especially in the United States and Europe. Most of the saxophones in that era were (and still are) marketed as "student" or "marching band" instruments. From that era throughout the 20th century, the manufacture of saxophones has continued unabated.
Saxophones are made in seven sizes and pitch levels, spanning the entire spectrum of wind-instrument pitches. The instruments fit well into bands, for their sound blends well with brass and woodwind instruments; their application to the orchestra has been more limited, because saxophones tend to dominate the varied tonal characteristics of that ensemble.
But just like everything else, a wide disparity exists in the quality of manufacture, from one maker and model to the next. Over many decades a few brand names have become best known, including Buescher, Buffet, Conn, Holton, King, Leblanc, Martin, Selmer, Yamaha, Yanigasawa, etc. In addition to these are Many, perhaps hundreds of minor brand names which appear on instruments that have simply been custom labeled (engraved) at the point of manufacture by the leading makers.
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