Dave Walker Copper Saxophone Review: Nigel’s Honest Take

Is the Dave Walker Designs copper saxophone worth it?

Yes, if you want a warm, flexible tone with vintage looks and modern engineering. It’s a boutique horn with a few genuine quirks — but after three years of searching, it’s the closest thing Nigel has found to his next saxophone.

14 day free trial(opens in new tab)

Why is this saxophone made of solid copper?

First thing you notice is the color. This horn is made entirely from solid copper, body and neck. That’s not copper lacquer sprayed over brass. It’s raw copper, right through.

Dave Walker(opens in new tab), who designed it, says the copper adds warmth to the sound. Having played it for a few weeks now, I’d agree. There’s real character in the tone, not just warmth but resonance right across the range.

Dave’s spent around 40 years making saxophone accessories, designing horns, and repairing saxophones. He’s based in Leeds, in the north of England, close to Leeds Conservatoire, one of the UK’s best-known jazz schools. A lot of players who’ve come through that Conservatoire already know his work. As I said in the video, “he knows his beans.”

Why doesn’t this saxophone have a high F# key?

The keywork is based on a 1954 Mark VI, so if you’ve played a vintage horn,(opens in new tab) it’ll feel familiar. It’s more compact than a modern heavy tenor.

One deliberate choice Dave made: there’s no high F# key at all. That’s not unusual — even Yamaha’s Atelier tenors leave it off. Dropping that key helps the resonance on the highest notes, and I think it makes a real difference to the altissimo on this horn, which is fantastic. The overtones are strong too, which usually tells you the setup and the design are both solid.

If you love the look of a vintage saxophone but hate the upkeep, this is worth a look. Learning good embouchure control(opens in new tab) matters even more on a horn with strong altissimo response like this one.

What small design details make the biggest difference?

A few details stood out that you wouldn’t spot from a distance. On the tenor, Dave’s designed his own neck with a brace that uses less solder and less metal. Less metal there means better resonance. The alto neck doesn’t have that brace — instead it has a smaller ridge underneath, again aimed at resonance.

The key guards are Dave’s own design too. They look compact and retro, but they’re actually much heavier than a standard key guard. Dave says that extra weight helps focus the sound on the bottom end of the horn.

Then there’s the thumb rest. It’s a completely different shape to what I’m used to. It took a second to adjust, but it supports your hand properly and gets your thumb into a better position — so no more calluses building up over time. Good hand position and posture habits will feel even more natural with a thumb rest shaped like this.

Does it actually sound flexible enough for different styles?

This matters more than people think. At Sax School(opens in new tab), I might record a classical lesson one day, jazz the next, then pop, rock, or ska. I need a horn that can move between all of that.

You probably need the same thing. Maybe you play in a community band during the week and then go and play down the pub with mates in a rock band at the weekend. Or you do solo gigs with backing tracks. Each of those wants a different sound.

A lot of modern horns push you down one lane — either bright, or a bit colorless, with no room to move. This one doesn’t. I can get a smooth sound easily, but if I push it, I get something brighter and meatier, and the horn comes with me rather than holding me back.

What sizes are available, and what does it cost?

Dave makes a full range: bari, tenor, alto, and soprano. They all sound and feel cohesive, so swapping between the tenor and the alto — which I do constantly for Sax School lessons — feels natural. The soprano is special too.

They come with genuinely good cases as well. The tenor case has extra handles on the back and plenty of storage inside — better quality than I expected.

On price: the bari is £5,000, the tenor is £3,500, and the alto and soprano are both around £3,000. For a pro-level horn with this much character, that’s good value.

🎷 Find out more about the Dave Walker Designs saxes and get £200 off with our code : SAXSCHOOL here https://davewalkerdesigns.co.uk/(opens in new tab)

What are the downsides of a copper saxophone?

I had to think hard for this bit, because there aren’t many. But there are a few honest points worth knowing before you buy.

First, the copper finish marks easily. Fingerprints, sweat, spit, even sunlight can change the color. After a few weeks of playing mine, there are already marks and different coloring where it rubs against my leg. If you want a horn that always looks shiny and perfect, this isn’t for you — it’ll drive you mad. If you’re happy for an instrument to age with you and become personal over time, it’s actually kind of cool.

Second, it warms up a little differently. It takes a couple of extra seconds to get going, especially in a cold room. Not a big deal, just different to a lacquered horn.

Third, the redesigned thumb rest shifted my hand position slightly from my old Guardala. For me, that meant paying extra attention to my right ring finger on the key touch. That’s more about adjusting to a new horn than any fault of this one.

Finally, this is a new brand from a boutique maker, so there’s no established resale market yet. If resale value matters to you, have a conversation with Dave directly about it. And it’s always worth trying a saxophone before you buy — easy if you’re in the UK, but trickier if you’re in the US or Australia, since there isn’t a wide dealer network yet.

FAQ

Is a copper saxophone different to play than a lacquered one?

The main practical difference is upkeep, not playability. Raw copper marks from fingerprints, sweat, and even sunlight, so it develops a personal patina over time. It also takes a couple of extra seconds to warm up, especially in a cold room.

Why doesn’t this saxophone have a high F# key?

Leaving off the high F# key is a deliberate design choice that improves resonance on the highest notes, which also benefits the altissimo range. Other makers, including Yamaha’s Atelier tenors, do the same thing.

How much does a Dave Walker Designs saxophone cost?

The alto and soprano are both around £3,000, the tenor is £3,500, and the bari sax is £5,000. For a pro-level, hand-designed instrument, that’s considered good value.

Will a copper saxophone finish get marked or discolored?

Yes. Because it’s solid raw copper rather than lacquered brass, fingerprints, sweat, spit, and sunlight will all change its color over time. It becomes a very personal-looking instrument the longer you play it.

Can I try a Dave Walker Designs saxophone before buying?

You can if you’re based in the UK, since Dave’s workshop is in Leeds. If you’re in the US, Australia, or elsewhere, trying one in person is harder right now, though the saxophones do ship worldwide.

So, is it Nigel’s new forever saxophone? Not decided yet — but of everything tried on this three-year quest, this one has the most character and comes closest to what he’s after. It’ll be sticking around for a while, with an update to come in six months or so.

Remember though, a great saxophone only takes you so far. Building your own skills — your sound, your embouchure, your technique — is what really lets you get the most from any instrument. That’s exactly what Sax School Pro’s structured learning system is built for.

14 day free trial(opens in new tab)

Nigel(opens in new tab) is the founder of Sax School Online, where he’s helped thousands of adult saxophone players build their skills and confidence, one structured lesson at a time. He’s toured the world as a professional saxophonist, played his Dave Guardala tenor on countless stages since the 1990s, and now spends his time testing new instruments and gear so he can pass on honest, practical advice to his students.