Ligatures BOIS ligatures.....snake oil strikes again???

Every so often a new something or other invites us to part with our cash in return for the answer to everything saxophonic. Want to improve your sound? The new, entirely revolutionary and exciting `resobongler` etc., etc......you`ve heard it.
Now, if they work, the Bois ligatures might well offer something worth having for relatively little. In theory a ligature should hold a reed securely with the minimum mechanical interference to its inherent flexibility/resonance. Clamp it on too tight, or over too large an area, and you`ll strangle it! Neither do you want to smother the mouthpiece with too much resonance damping contact. That`s the working principle behind the Rovner type of lig. The Bois design controls the reed with just one minimal point of contact with the reed, and two with the mouthpiece. Basically its a narrow ring of something like ebonite containing an `O` ring which is slipped over m/p and reed. That`s it! Brilliant!
Now, before I rush out and buy one for each sax and each type on m/p (metal and ebonite vary in circumference etc.), do they work? Has anyone tried one?
 
I ordered one for soprano which did not fit either of my mouthpieces - Vandoren V16 and Berg Larsen 70/1 SMS - so was sent back untried - it looked a little cheap and goes by the name of "Classique" so unsure about its suitability for the music I like. After faffing about with it I was relieved to return to my metal 2 screw Vandoren Masters, which felt a much more secure bet. As both my mouthpieces were varying sizes I was surprised that it fit neither, and it had no means of adjustment. I for one will stick to what I know - and bought a Selmer 2 screw metal ligature as back up.

Kind regards
Tom
 
I've not used one on a sax, but it works nicely on clarinet. Am pretty sure it opens the sound out a little. This whole ligature thing is a bit prone to snake oil salesmen - but I don't think these ligs merit that name. At the very least- it's not very expensive snake oil!
 
The chap I spoke to at Dawkes said that they seemed to work well with Alto and Tenor HR mouthpieces. My favourite for alto is the Francois Louis Basic - easy to put on, and similar price (Also the Rico H ligature - still on offer at www.sax.co.uk for about £12). I did not get the impression that the Bois lig was that easy to put on, as some on SOTW have said - it is seven sided inside and requires careful placing. My experience with the Yani ps that it does need a little brightening up, and metal would be best.

Kind regards
Tom
 
Tom - don't mean to seem argumentative, but they're circular on the inside. At least the two that I have are - and are extremely easy to fit. The main issue is - are they any better than anything else out there? As far as aesthetics are concerned they're not the cleverest bit of engineering I've seen - almost too simple is what they seem.
 
Perhaps we`re working towards araldite here. Glue the whole thing together and it will really last! Rock solid tone too.
Seriously though, has anyone actually used one on an ebonite alto mouthpiece?
 
Hi Paul!

The best I can find is a thread on SOTW (Sax On The Web) entitled "Bois Ligatures" which is very complimentary, and reports several people's experience with alto and tenor mouthpieces - even compared favourably to an FL at one stage. Just type "Bois Ligature" into the Search section anf scroll down the list that appears - its a good reed. Dawkes who have it for £20.45 post free would happily offer a refund if you are not happy with it.

Kind regards
Tom
 
over the years I've tried a few different ligs that were suppose to do this & do that, and I have finally come to the conclusion that a lig is just for holding the reed on good to the mouthpiece & makes little difference in sound actually except for maybe the fabric rovner's which can sorta darken & dampen the sound (IMHO)....I even bought An oleg....looks really nice, but tends to slip pretty bad and it had a pretty good sound, but not any better than my regular ol Selmer Paris 2 screw lig which is what I use, have always used and will no doubt continue to. as long as a lig holds the reed on tight & lets it vibrate good that's all you need. again...IMHO
 
Thanks ATG....I pretty much agree, and have only so far found the Rovners to contribute to sound modification to any extent. The important thing is not to strangle the reed or choke the mouthpiece. This is where theoretically the Bois is supposed to score.....user reports are mixed!
 
I tried one for bari. It did make a subtle difference in the feel, but also made the reed much more suspectible to shift on the mouthpiece. It wasn't worth the hassle for me.

OTOH, the tenor player in our band is very fond of "the ring".
 
It seems to go all ways with this one! Trouble is although its only £20, where do you stop (wish I had all my wasted twenty quids back!)? Much better to get a few interesting answers first....then waste the money!
 
I wish I had all the dollars I wasted too on various & sundry useless hyped gear that in the end worked no better than what I had. at least I learned, took a few yrs though. chops don't come in a box.
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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