Ligatures Ligature suggestions

sandeha_lynch · Oct 12, 2007

Hi. I picked up an Otto Link 5* Tone Edge HR mouthpiece for my alto a while back, and I love it. However, my cheapo no-name ligature squeals and slips around.

Any suggestions on the right lig for this mouthpiece (and then I'll trip off to eBay 😉 )

Bobby G · Oct 12, 2007

Hi Sandeha. I find a Rovner ligature works very well, and only has one screw to fiddle with. There's some disagreement about how much difference the brand or material of a ligature makes to the sound; some say a lot, some say a little, and some say it's main job is to hold the reed firmly in place and if it does that job then it's fine.

I find my Rovner does it's job just fine, and they aren't particularly expensive - before you get into the more esoteric types, they come in two main flavours, bright and dark. I can't tell much difference between them, for me i get a greater difference in sound with either my embouchure, or by making small changes in the position of the reed in relation to the tip of the mouthpiece.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Cheers, Bob

griff136 · Oct 12, 2007

I , like Bobby G, prefer the rovner/BG type lig, and also agree with his post.

a lot of this is down to personal preference.

Simon · Oct 13, 2007

griff136 wrote:

a lot of this is down to personal preference.

.... and the price!
Havin used everything from the fabled Winslow to a couple of rubber bands, as long as it holds the reed in place, doesn't 'choke' the reed and is easy to put on, you've got a winner.

Simon

sandeha_lynch · Oct 13, 2007

Many thanks. I guess then that there's nothing too special about one shape or another. If I can try any, I'll start with a Rovner.

Linky Lee · Oct 13, 2007

I personally can't find a difference in sound at all between the light/dark.

I just go for the light or dark depending on the sax so the screw colour matches it (silver or gold).

Bobby G · Oct 13, 2007

What's the 'fabled Winslow'? Is it one of those ligs that looks like a spider is building a web around the crook?

Going back to Rovners (and BG's which are similar) the main reason I prefer them over the old all-metal-and-two-screws type, apart from ease of use and one less screw to mess with, is that they don't chew up the stock of your reed if you happen to over-tighten them. Which of course you never should :erm:

Cheers, Bob

frankb · Oct 13, 2007

Hi Sandeha,

When I changed mpc I picked up a Rovner light to go with it. It's easy to use and holds the reed well (and it was comparatively cheap).

Dunno about the "muffling sound" thing - I went with the light variant just in case.

All the best,

Frank

rhysonsax · Oct 14, 2007

My favourite ligs are the Vandoren Optimum.

I've tried a few fancy ones, including Rovner, Consoli, BG, Olegature and FL Ultimate.

Usually I find that they don't make much difference to the sound, some are awkward to fit and some don't hold the reed very well.

The Optimum are easy to fit, hold the reed well and make for a free blowing sound. Would be good if they were a bit cheaper and could do with a cheap plastic cap rather than the expensive metal one.

The interchangeable pressure plates are OK - strangely I prefer different ones on the different sizes. Vandoren's description of the supposed differences in sound are a hoot. It would be good if the ligs were available in more sizes to fit different mouthpieces, but I suppose they fit Vandoren's own pieces and many standard sizes. The one for the V16 metal tenor piece also fits Otto Link STM and some metal bari pieces too.

Rhys

suethesax · Oct 14, 2007

I'm with Rhys - I use Optimum on both Alto and Sop. To be honest I never change the plate - always use the one with 4 dots - can't remember what each are supposed to do though.

I think they are quite expensive but I was given mine 🙂

Bobby G · Oct 14, 2007

I've got one too, for alto, although I still use the Rovner. The plate with four dots is supposed to be the freest-blowing, the one with two ridges across the plate is more for classical as it's supposed to be more restrained, and the one with two ridges along the plate is, er, well, somewere in between, maybe more 'focussed' or something, you'd have to read the Van Doren bumf for the full description (I think you got it right there Rhys, it is a bit high-flown and hilarious).

Personally, even though I don't use it any more (hey, maybe I'll give it another go), the different plates do make a bit of difference to the sound, but no matter which one you use you tend to end up sounding like you anyway - maybe it's a case of each plate's differing qualities allowing you to achieve 'your' sound more easily, and one of the three will be 'your' plate.

I also used the 'four dots' plate.