Ligatures Ligatures: am I missing something?

[jonf]

I've used rubber bands before, and even Sellotape! Worked fine. I reckon most of the stuff about ligatures is marketing puff. As long as whatever is used holds the reed in the right place and securely I don't really think it makes a difference. I tend to use Rovner ligs, but mainly becausse they're easy to use. The only times I've ever found any sonic benefit to changing a lig is with those mouthpieces that come with truly crap ones, such as Guardalas, which just don't fit properly.

 

[young_col]

At Old Git's comfortable penthouse pad for a jam session today (reminds me of that classic Bechet track "Up in Sydney's Flat" - how did they all get in there?). We realised that if all else failed you could use a small jubilee clip on his Hanson tenor to hold the reed on. A blob of Castrol LM to lubricate the screw and off you go. Drawbacks are that you need a screwdriver or small spanner to tighten it and there's nothing to stop the whole assembly rolling off the piano top like with a single or double screw lig. Just a thought, but thanks for letting me ruin your Hanson Bill.
YC

 

[losaavedra]

In my (humble beginner's) opinion a lig's purpose is primarily (1) to hold the reed stock firmly against the mp table in an airtight and non-wobbly way, most importantly at the point on the reed where it thickens and thereafter keep the thing fixed straight. Secondly (2) it needs to be conveniently removable and refittable when a reed change is necessary. As a poor third we can start worrying about what it actually looks like but only after points 1 and 2 have been satisfied. On a guitar forum a very similar discussion would be about the pros and cons of different types of capo (I have at least seven or eight of those!). They come in chunky chromium, 'plastic and elastic', and aesthetically-pleasing 'wood with violin peg screw' versions. They all do the same job but the violin peg ones are certainly the prettiest. However, in the past, I've also used the 'pencil and elastic band' trick on a guitar which works well in emergencies ... but of course looks really naff! It has occurred to me that a 'violin peg lig' for sax would be rather a nice idea. One day I might make one as I've successfully made several guitar capos of that type already. But the most important aspects would remain the same, i.e. to hold the reed firmly and then facilitate easy reed change ... the appearance still comes last!

 

[spike]

Not a subscriber to the topic of Ligature Voodoo.
Clarinetists often use a piece of string.

 

[peedee]

Am I alone here? I do notice a difference between a metal lig and a leather rovner type. The metal is brighter, and the leather is a more softer sound. 🙁

 

[old_git]

That means I should use multiple Rovners.

BTW If you do decide to try Young Col's Jubilee clip ligature, make sure you tighten with an inch / pound torque wrench not a foot / pound. Wonder if Ron will take less than six months to make the next one?

 

[jonf]

And what about my Newton metre torque wrench? I'm a modern, scientific sort of a chap who doesn't hold much with these old fangled imperial measures (and neither does my dad who was an engineer and is the same age as you, Bill!).

 

[stephanie]

PeeDee wrote:
Am I alone here? I do notice a difference between a metal lig and a leather rovner type. The metal is brighter, and the leather is a more softer sound. 🙁

Tinselworm has just had the same with her clarinet (please excuse the mention of non-saxophone reed instrument for a moment), and went back to the metal one so she can be heard above about 25 saxes. I believe she may even have mentioned never using it again...

😉

 

[c9off]

great advice - am guzzlin' Hobgoblin as I type...

My first teacher, refused to allow me to play with a cord lig (ok bootlace!), things didn't improve with a conventional lig so didn't see the harm?!!

hic
cheers!

Stephanie wrote:

Mamos wrote:
Nice pint by the way. Wychwood I believe.

They do a nice cider Green Goblin as well

mamos

Yes - Wychwood. Haven't tried the cider one - we get the beer in the Post office here, although the one that christened the lig was in South Wimbledon. It's occasionally a guest beer in Skipton, but not sure the last time I saw it. Will look out for the cider one since I often drink that instead of beer. *grins*

 

[old_git]

JonF wrote:
And what about my Newton metre torque wrench? I'm a modern, scientific sort of a chap who doesn't hold much with these old fangled imperial measures (and neither does my dad who was an engineer and is the same age as you, Bill!).

You look really old for your age, Jon. I'll put it down to the three piece and East Grinsted being on the way to the Old Timers' paradise of Eastbourne.