Hanson Saxophone Serial Numbers

Expected Response Time: Usually 3-5 business days. They can often tell you the exact month of assembly, the original lacquer type, and even the technician who built it.

Pro tip: Be polite and patient. Hanson is a small shop, not a megacorporation. They appreciate owners who value the history of their instruments.

Since Hanson is still an active, family-run business, the most accurate method is to email them directly with your serial number. They are famously responsive and will give you the exact year of manufacture, original model, and sometimes even the original finish.

However, for a ballpark estimate, use the following approximate serial number-to-year chart, compiled from owner-submitted data and Hanson’s historical posts. hanson saxophone serial numbers

| Approximate Serial Number Range | Estimated Year | Notes | |--------------------------------|----------------|-------| | 100 – 500 | 2001 – 2003 | Early SA series (first models) | | 500 – 1,000 | 2004 – 2006 | ST4, SA5, first tenors | | 1,000 – 2,000 | 2007 – 2009 | LX series introduced | | 2,000 – 3,500 | 2010 – 2013 | AE (Alchemy) series begins | | 3,500 – 5,000 | 2014 – 2016 | ST8, improved keywork | | 5,000 – 7,000 | 2017 – 2019 | Increased production, global distribution | | 7,000 – 8,500 | 2020 – 2022 | Pandemic-era instruments | | 8,500 – 10,000+ | 2023 – present | Modern production (LX, AE, SE series) |

Note: These ranges are approximations. Hanson produces roughly 500–800 saxophones per year, so the progression is steady.

Hanson saxophones are a niche/entry-level brand whose instruments were primarily produced for student and budget markets. Serial numbers on Hanson saxophones are the main way to date and identify individual instruments, but there is no single comprehensive manufacturer-published registry. Instead, information about Hanson serials is assembled from dealer records, catalogs, import data, and community reports. This feature compiles what is known, how to interpret serials, common variants, and practical steps for owners and buyers to research a specific Hanson saxophone. Expected Response Time: Usually 3-5 business days

Hanson offers a transferable warranty on many of their horns, but they require the serial number to verify the original purchase date. If you buy a used Hanson, email the serial number to info@hansonsaxophones.co.uk to check if any warranty remains.

Generally, older does not always mean more expensive for Hanson. Unlike Selmer, the market prefers modern Hansons.

Before diving into the numbers themselves, you need to understand the company’s timeline. Hanson has operated under different ownership and production philosophies, which directly affects how serial numbers were assigned. Pro tip: Be polite and patient

Key Takeaway: If your saxophone has a hand-stamped, somewhat crooked serial number, it is likely from the 80s or early 90s. If it is laser-etched and perfectly aligned, it is a modern instrument.

For vintage saxophones, a serial number chart is the holy grail. For Hanson saxophones, dating is more straightforward because the company is still in operation and the brand is younger.

The Format: Hanson serial numbers generally follow a standard sequential format. They do not typically use cryptic letter prefixes like some vintage French horns. Because the company oversees production directly, the serial numbers are logged in their internal database.

If you are trying to identify the specific year of manufacture for a Hanson, the most reliable method is to contact Hanson Music directly via their website or email. As a smaller, service-oriented company, they are usually able to look up the serial number in their records and tell you the exact "born-on" date and the original finish specification.