Description
VINTAGE CHARACTER. SMOOTH, MODERN ACTION.
The Duke is Atlantic London’s flagship professional alto saxophone, combining a warm, centred sound with a light, compact key action. Its unlacquered brass finish, intricate hand engraving and distinctive wire keyguards give it a character all its own.
The bare brass will develop a natural patina over time, giving each instrument an increasingly individual appearance. Behind those looks is a responsive, expressive alto with the focus and flexibility to make the sound your own.
SOUND AND RESPONSE
Crafted from high-quality brass, The Duke features an Atlantic London RESO+ neck, rolled tone holes, ribbed body construction and an enlarged bell. Its sound is warm and focused, with a resonant core and room to shape the tone from a soft subtone to full projection.
The RESO+ neck gives the alto a responsive, free-blowing feel while retaining depth and a centred sound. It is an instrument that invites you to pick it up and keep playing.
KEY ACTION AND ERGONOMICS
The compact key layout feels familiar, with closely arranged palm keys and an easily accessible table-key cluster. Carefully fitted keywork provides a secure, robust feel, while the smooth, light and even action lets you focus on the music.
DESIGN AND FINISH
Inspired by classic Conn saxophones, the wire-style guards for the low B♭, B, C and E♭ keys give The Duke a distinctive profile. The octave key echoes the same design.
Extensive hand engraving blends traditional and Art Deco influences across the bell and bow. Two master engravers bring more than 50 years of combined experience to the work, with each instrument taking around seven hours to engrave.
With no lacquer coating, the brass will gradually darken and develop its own patina through handling and exposure to the air. The Duke is also available in a Vintage Amber lacquer finish.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR SAXOPHONE
- Atlantic London Fly Light case with a stylish two-tone finish
- Brown padded leather neck strap with a brass hook and wide adjuster
- Bespoke metal end cap
- Padded shoulder straps for the case
- Free 42-point professional set-up and a free checkover within one year
THE ATLANTIC LONDON STORY
Atlantic London was founded by Jamie Straker in 2018. Jamie spent more than 20 years at SAX, including serving as Managing Director, before leaving to focus fully on Atlantic. Drawing on that experience, he assembled a London-based team of accomplished players and specialist technicians to develop saxophones with a distinctive sound, feel and identity.
The name “Atlantic” reflects the brand’s inspiration: the great American saxophones of Conn and the celebrated French instruments of Selmer Paris. The Duke brings influences from both sides of the Atlantic together in a modern professional saxophone with a character entirely its own.
FEATURES
- Material: High-quality brass
- Finish: Unlacquered
- Engraving: Extensive hand engraving
- Key touches: Grade A mother of pearl
- Neck: Atlantic London RESO+
- Construction: Rolled tone holes, ribbed body and enlarged bell
- Case: Atlantic London Fly Light case
- Mouthpiece: Not included
- Origin: Custom built in Taiwan; designed and set up in London
- Recommended for: Professional and advancing players
STAFF REVIEW
I've always been a fan of vintage-inspired modern saxes, especially when they are well-conceived and offer the kind of playing experience that inspires and excites me. That's the feeling I have with this first range of instruments from Atlantic. Over the past few years, whilst this brand and its models have been developing, I have been bearing witness from the sidelines with interest. Even though I have given space to Jamie and his team during this time, allowing them to develop the instruments according to their criteria, my one request was to have a sax that has great playability. You want to be able to pick up the sax and just let it play, without having to do battle with the key action to make it respond properly! Well on this front I have to say that I'm delighted with the smooth, light and even action. This allows me to get straight on with the music and enjoy the tone that is being produced - and boy, what a tone! Big, powerful, plenty of breadth and core.
Coupled with a great tone and playability I also love the look of these horns! The keyguards look cool and give off a vintage vibe that you don't see on any other modern sax. The cognac lacquer looks great and makes the engraving jump out at you - but equally, the unlacquered finish looks amazing. If anything, I found that this finish gives off a slightly freer and more open sound.
I also appreciate the fact that all the extra details have been taken care of - even down to things like providing a high-quality metal end cap! Sounds trivial, but you immediately notice it when opening the case, and all these details feed through to an overall sense of fulfillment.
Jim Cheek
Delivery & Returns
FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER £100 TO UK MAINLAND
FAST & FULLY INSURED INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. PAY THE FINAL LANDED COST AT CHECKOUT!
If you're based overseas and would like more information, please read our overseas guide located here
RETURNS
Goods purchased online can be returned within 14 days of receipt. This does not apply to custom ordered goods, products where hygiene is concerned and product seals have been broken (reeds, mouthpieces etc), digital download codes or software licences. Goods purchased through our website cannot be returned to our retail stores.
The art of hand engraving
Seven hours.
Every line by hand.
Each Duke takes around seven hours to engrave by hand. Two master engravers bring more than 50 years of combined experience to the work, shaping intricate Art Deco-inspired patterns across the bell and bow.
Look closely and the detail rewards you: flowing lines, carefully worked motifs and Atlantic’s signature style. Paired with distinctive wire keyguards, it gives The Duke a presence all its own.
▶ Watch Jim’s reviewHear it at SAX
Meet The Duke.
With Jim Cheek.
Join Jim as he puts Atlantic London’s saxophones through their paces, exploring their tone, response and feel under the fingers.
Atlantic London RESO+ neck
Warmth and focus.
Room to express.
The RESO+ neck gives The Duke Alto a responsive, free-blowing feel while retaining warmth, focus and depth.
From softly spoken subtone to full projection, the sound remains centred, expressive and rich in colour.
