Keilwerth

The company was established in 1925 by Julius Keilwerth in the region of Graslitz, which is now near the Czech Republic and Germany. Initially, it operated as a “stencil” manufacturer, building saxophones for other companies like Adler and F.X. Hüller to put their own names on. By the 1930s, Keilwerth had become the largest saxophone manufacturer in Germany.

In the 1960s, the company gained recognition in the United States through an agreement with Herb Couf, where Keilwerth manufactured models (like the “Superba I” and “Royalist”) under the H. Couf brand name. By the end of the 1980s, Keilwerth saxophones had gained endorsements from renowned jazz musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Ernie Watts, and Dave Liebman, solidifying their place in the professional market. In 2010, the Buffet Crampon Group officially acquired Julius Keilwerth, ensuring continued production in Germany.

Today, Keilwerth remains a respected name in the saxophone world, known for instruments with a large, bold sound. To celebrate its centennial, the company released a limited-edition 100-year anniversary saxophone in 2025 that blends historical design elements (like the “Angel Wing” key guard) with modern features.