For saxophonists seeking a professional-grade instrument without the stratospheric price tag of a vintage Selmer or Yamaha, the Hanson Saxophone brand has become a revered name. Founded in the heart of England, Hanson has carved out a niche by producing high-quality, hand-assembled saxophones that rival their continental competitors.
If you own a Hanson—whether it’s a prestigious , a Series 6 , or a student LX series —decoding the serial number is the key to understanding your instrument’s age, production run, and potential value.
However, because Hanson is a smaller, specialized manufacturer (compared to mass-production giants), information about their serial numbers can be notoriously difficult to find. Unlike Selmer or Conn, there is no single, government-published ledger for Hanson serials.
While you can use the charts and guidelines in this article to estimate your saxophone’s age within a year or two, the gold standard remains a direct inquiry with the Hanson factory. They are proud of their history and happy to help you discover yours.
