Ligatures Ligatures and intonation

[GCinCT]

There are a number of threads that cover this and they never get to any solid conclusion, there are many youtube videos too that you can view with the player trying loads of ligs and other things too and to my ears they sound the same.
I own quite a number of different ligs and they all sound the same, but like others have said the lig has to fit well enough to do its job.
I once owned a Gaia sop mpc which came with the Enlightened lig,i wasn't impressed with the lig at all it was prone to movement if you tried to adjust the mpc while it was on the neck so i'm not surprised you got better results with a different lig.

I had a Kali alto mouthpiece that came with a horn I bought. It came with the enlightened ligature. I sold the piece and lig. I never liked the enlightened. I had the same experience you did. It moved all the time. It was fussy and difficult to position.

I had the same issue with the D'Addario H lig that came with my Jody Jazz Jet. It moved when I adjusted the mouthpiece on the neck and seemed too small. It sits in a drawer now since I bought a Vandoren Optimum, which I really like.

I have not noticed intonation issues on different ligatures. I just like the one that is easy to use and holds the reed where I need it to be. I sound better because of the comfort level and my ability to hold a steady embouchure because the lig does its job.

 

[dooce]

Didn't realise how much of a difference a ligature can make to intonation. I use a Theo Wanne Gaia 2 for my curved Yani soprano. I have always used the ligature supplied with the mouthpiece, which you think would be the best match by the manufacturer. I've always suffered with the intonation in the upper register being too sharp.
Out of curiosity I tried a Rovner Versa lig I got from Sax.co.uk. The intonation is now perfect in the higher register and the tone is much sweeter and not as harsh. Anyone else had a ligature make so much difference?

Well, I've never ventured into anything as exotic as Theo Wanne mouthpieces - Pete Thomas's own PPT brand are my favourites, but I'm with you on Rovner Versa ligs - they've always worked for me, whatever the mouthpiece. Why? No idea but periodically I lose an entire day when I obsessively try every reed, mouthpiece and lig combination in my extensive collection and inevitably come back to the same old favourites, which always includes a Versa lig.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Those Francois Louis ligs are a bit expensive imo, but they accommodate some odd shaped mouthpieces.

I made my own textile ligatures to accommodate the Baritone S80 and a vintage Lelandais tenor piece. The tenor piece eventually failed and was replaced by a Chinese alto two screw.

I find those BG textile ligs very overpriced for what they are.

 

[Jazzaferri]

I have noted subtle differences in reed response with some ligs.. General observation is that ligs that clamp the edges of the reeds feel a bit less responsive to me. it could also be observational bias.

I doubt there is any audible difference.

I have not had any intonation issues due to ligs.

I wonder if the intonation issue referred to is caused by trying to make an unresponsive lig work better.

 

[nigeld]

We had a thread a while ago about how different reeds could affect intonation, and the consensus was that the hardness and profile of the reed can change the intonation.

Reeds - Reeds and intonation

So I can imagine that if the ligature has an effect on how the reed vibrates then it will affect intonation as well. However, I have never noticed this myself.

 

[thomsax]

The way the lig holds the reed is important for me as player. Try different ligatures.! Three Rovner ligatures: 1. Holds the reed along with the edges (stock) of the reed. 2 Holds the reed over the stock. 3. Holds the reed along with the edges (stock) but also changeable inserts.
For me #3 is best. Plays better on a Rovner with wide tip opening. I get a big open tone! And that's what I want. But I don't think the listeners can hear any difference between #1 and #3.

 

[Ivan]

I like the look of Francoise Louis

I like the look and convenience of Lawton-style integrated screw and plate

I like the convenience of Rovner type