Ligatures New Rovner Ligatures

[stan_s_fan]

Has anyone else seen the latest ligature from Rovner? I only found it by visiting their website at www.rovnerproducts.com the other day. I was considering trying the new EVO-5 but then saw the ?Mass-Loaded? in both metal and fabric. You can click on various ?Read More? buttons to learn all about them.

I have ordered one direct from Rovner, the ML-H for ebonite (Tenor); they are currently offered at a discount price. Rovner have a very good help system for making sure that you get the correct fitting for any specific make and model of mouthpiece.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I use the EVO-5 on both Alto and Tenor, but did notice the new "Mass Loaded" effort on their website this afternoon. Do let me know how it performs. The EVO is great BTW!

Kind regards
Tom

 

[stan_s_fan]

Tom,

I certainly will let you know how I get on with it. I expect it will take a couple of weeks to arrive.
I am glad that you like the EVO-5, I may still get one myself.

 

[john_laughter]

I ordered one for tenor, alto and bari and will also give you some feedback. I have used his ligs for years but I have been using Winslow on all horns for the past two years.

I have a tenor metal prototype of the ?Mass-Loaded? lig that he sent to me to try about 2 years ago. I had forgotten about it and laid it in a box and continued with the Winslow on tenor. When I saw his ad last week I again compared it to the Winslow and it does "fatten" the sound a little so I used it last weekend and found that I do like it a lot.

His secretary told me that the new ML lig (metal) has a fabric lining so that the metal will not scratch the m/p. My tenor prototype does not have lining so I will compare that as well. I will give you some feedback next week.

Phil is very dedicated and creative when it comes to modern ligs.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi there!

The EVO is fun with the different positions and does produce different sounds, at least to my ears. I commonly have it on at an oblique angle or with the metal parts directly on the reed.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[john_laughter]

Stan, you should like the new lig a lot. A little fatter tone without question on my alto, tenor and bari with the metal ligs. Also, when you need more volume this lig will come through like no other that I have used. Rovner has done it again and I have no idea what he has done in the construction process to make it happen!

 

[stan_s_fan]

Thank you John,

I am still awaiting delivery from Rovner U.S.A.

 

[stan_s_fan]

Tom and John,

I started using the Mass-Loaded H-2R (for Ebonite) today and I am very impressed. I own about 9 Tenor mouthpieces and twice as many Tenor ligatures. This new one is the best one in my collection. After about 10 minutes of playing, I just found that I had total control of the reed and the sound that I produced. I am sure that I am using less lip pressure too. The lowest notes are so controllable with a lovely full tone and the highest notes are clean and pure. I cannot believe the difference it has made to my playing. It just does exactly what I want it to do and so easily.

I have sent feed-back to Rovner, as requested.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Thanks for that! Just wait until I'm retired and then I can let my Tenor collection boom in all departments. Are you glad that all Ligatures don't sound the same. to you at least? When the Mass-Loaded hit the streets of the UK I might make a little investment. Until the I'll struggle on with my cheap EVO-5's.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[old_git]

In the brass world there has been a movement to heavier mouthpieces, in fact adaptors are available for fitting to standard pieces. It is claimed, from what little I understand, to be louder and cleaner, presumably as the mass does not resonate so easily as a standard item giving greater energy transfer to the instrument body. In a slightly similar way my MC vinyl pickup is mounted on Blutak,
Is this the idea of the added mass ligature? If so beware, as the ultimate will be a very heavy mouthpiece and reed clamping system which will need a prop or we'll never be able to hold it up. 🙁

 

[john_laughter]

I knew you would like it! Also, if you ever start playing bari sax this lig will really bring out the bottom end. Rovner has done it again.

 

[stan_s_fan]

John,

Funny you should say that . . . I bought a Yanagisawa Bari last year but so far, I have only used it with the original mouthpiece and ligature.

The only problem with purchasing direct from Rovner in the USA was the extra ?4.46 VAT that Customs demanded and ?8 UK additional postage I had to pay. It would have only cost ?31 including air post, otherwise.

I still think that it was worth it though.

 

[john_laughter]

Oh that hurts! But as you say it is worth it. The more you play the more enjoyable it gets.

 

[PaulyT]

Hmmmmmm???
I don't know whether I should post this in case the League of Ligature Manufacturers Security Services hunt me down and tighten their products around my nads but.... finding myself without a ligature and wanting to play my sax I bound the reed onto the mouthpiece with a couple of elastic bands and hey presto!! I'm never going to buy another lig. I know that rubber perishes and in the course of a year I'm going to have to change my elastic bands, but in the words of the Seargent Major - oh dear, what a pity - never mind.
Ok, it doesn't look great but then, neither do I so who cares. I think that the point is - well, you can draw your own conclusions!!
Happy lig hunting!!
PaulyT

 

[TomMapfumo]

I feel it depends on which denier strength of elastic band you use. I prefer the 'Rovner' 42 denier triple elastic band set up, which is generally light red in colour to mirror the sax's chromatographic profile. Some players, particularly in the States, use the 'Ron Seal' 52 denier 'Dual Combination' (DC's) bands in 'Mail-Box' brown as played by that the famous southern sax legend "Washington 'DC' Post-Bop" on his now defunct "Wally Stein" Tenor, which is reputedly now made in SE Asia, under a similar name, which escapes me for a second. Apparently "It does exactly what it says on the 'Tin-Heap' "(US slang for Vintage Sax). Anyway off to try gluing my reed to the mouthpiece using EVO-5tik.

Happy honking!!
Tom

 

[stan_s_fan]

I have often wondered if a couple of good old elastic bands would work. Well done Pauly. I'm not too sure about tha EVO-Stick though Tom.

 

[PaulyT]

I use Ref # 05576X No.30's (51mm X 3mm) - Three of them each wound around three times and spread along the binding part of the reed.
Also known as "Gomas Elasticas" or "Gummeringe" ligatures, they can be purchased from me at a cost of ?10 per set (inc. P & P). All proceeds to the Breakfast Room chaaaaarity.
PaulyT
🙂