Ligatures Alto Ligatures

[arock]

What is the difference between a $7 U.S. ligature and a $150 U.S. ligature? My new Otto Link hard rubber came with a cheap looking one but I am sure Otto Link feels it will do the job.

 

[sushidushi]

$143.

 

[arock]

You get an A+.

 

[thesaxman71]

this has been extensively covered recently.
http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread.php?10901-Ligature-do-I-really-need-a-fancy-one

 

[Jamesmac]

Post #205 from Targa will solve all your problems

 

[arock]

Sorry I missed the prior coverage. Thanks for the links.
My take here is the if I am a beginner, I might not notice much, if any difference. Better to spend the money on more lessons.
All advice is appreciated at my level.
Thanks.

 

[Colin the Bear]

The topic splits the room. Practice makes the biggest difference to tone production. Try leaving off for a month and it sounds like a goose has taken residence in the bell.

 

[arock]

I bet Kenny G can make the Velcro sound great.

 

[thesaxman71]

I bet Kenny G can make the Velcro sound great.

dont use such filthy words here,you said the G word
haha

 

[altissimo]

The topic splits the room. Practice makes the biggest difference to tone production. Try leaving off for a month and it sounds like a goose has taken residence in the bell.

- so that's where I've been going wrong, I've spent years trying to achieve that elusive 'goose tone'

 

[old git]

- so that's where I've been going wrong, I've spent years trying to achieve that elusive 'goose tone'

And I always thought the goose tone was a startled and indignant "Ouch!"

 

[TomMapfumo]

What is the difference between a $7 U.S. ligature and a $150 U.S. ligature? My new Otto Link hard rubber came with a cheap looking one but I am sure Otto Link feels it will do the job.

Its a challenge to find a $150 alto ligature, but there are two over $100 here: http://sax-ccessories.com/homes/category/34/ALTO_SAX . There are also many that are a lot cheaper, though!

Otto Link mouthpieces can lack consistency in manufacture and $7 will not necessarily provide a very good ligature. Many folks can notice a difference sound and feel wise, even at beginner level, but $150 is rather expensive for a decent one!

 

[jbtsax]

I find it hard to believe that a beginner has the sensitivity to detect subtle differences in ligatures. They are still in the stage that when something changes in the sound, they don't know whether it is them or the instrument.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Speaking as an ex beginner I have noticed such differences quite clearly between my first Rovner Dark ligature and a Rico H ligature I acquired a few weeks later. I am sure that many beginners have normal hearing and can recognise different sounds - my wife could tell the difference and she does not even play a sax.

Maybe the differences are not that subtle for some people, but most folks hearing is pretty normal, and does seem better the less exposure to loud music.

 

[arock]

Here is one over $240. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Winslow-Cla...578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c71a45aca

 

[altissimo]

Mr Mapfumo, are you implying that anyone who disagrees with you on the subject of ligatures is suffering from hearing damage due to exposure to loud music? And if so, can you please provide evidence to support your hypothesis..

 

[sushidushi]

Here is one over $240. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Winslow-Cla...578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c71a45aca

That's rather pretty. I'd like to be able to justify paying that much for a ligature.

 

[jbtsax]

I've been playing on rovner ligatures for years. I just ordered a Rico H. After it arrives I will put up some recordings and see if anyone can tell which is which.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Mr Mapfumo, are you implying that anyone who disagrees with you on the subject of ligatures is suffering from hearing damage due to exposure to loud music? And if so, can you please provide evidence to support your hypothesis..

Not at all, Mr Altissimo!

I am curious as to why there is such a split in the field re ligatures and openly speculate as to possible reasons. Those that "hear" no difference often suggest that others do not hear honestly - buying something costly and then trying to hear a better sound than is produced by some standard cheapo lig.

In discussion I do often notice that several tenor players who also perform live a lot say that they do not hear a difference and that makes me curious. I mainly play alto and soprano sax and am not into playing live, and my work involves very careful and clear listening. I don't know what difference I would hear if I was blasting the music out and competing with several other loud electrified instruments - presumably why many musicians can happily play a cheapo sax rather than a more precious one that might get damaged or stolen in that particular environment.
End of the day the subject is not that important to me and I would always prefer to use my time in other ways than researching such things!

I am sorry if my curiosity and speculation sounds so controlling - I don't think you have heard what I am saying clearly enough.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[aldevis]

I am curious as to why there is such a split in the field re ligatures and openly speculate as to possible reasons. Those that "hear" no difference often suggest that others do not hear honestly - buying something costly and then trying to hear a better sound than is produced by some standard cheapo lig.

Can I dare to say that some mouthpiece/reed/player combos are more sensitive to different ligatures, assuming the ligature actually does the job it is suppose to do (seal, not just look cool)?