Ligatures PPT Tenor - best ligature

[kevgermany]

Well, I finally got around to doing something about this. Have been using a folded over bite plate till now. Worked -. almost, but still a bit squeaky.

I looked at making my own lig, but finding suitable material was tricky. And I didn't fancy industrial grade sewing to hold the lig foldover together. Plus, owing to the amount of taper on the PPT, it was going to be quite wasteful on materials.

Then I looked at the BG I bought for the alto. In there is a strip of ribbed rubber to grip the reed. My mind started ticking over and I thought about making a tapered strip of rubber for the Rovner (which doesn't have one, tapered or otherwise).

Was looking around for some sheet rubber to fashion into a suitable wedge/spacer. Eventually I spotted an old mud flap from my Landrover. Flat on one side and ribbed on the other.... A few minutes sawing and there was a blank, about the right size, with two nice ribs to grip the reed. 30 minutes sanding and I had a perfect wedge to fit. Tried it, worked well. Will play around with it loose for a little while, then it's going to be glued into the lig. Permanently. And I'll have the PPT lig Tom mentioned.

Pete - it'd be easy to make up some of these wedges, glue them into Rovner Darks and supply with the PPT.... Probably enhance sales.

 

[Rikki]

Hi Pete,

My sister in UK has ordered me a PPT8 mouthpiece as I will bec in UK at Xmas and I was wondering what the latest is on ligature recommendations? I was thinking of Evo-5 E2R if I can get hold of one if not what are suitable alternatives?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Rikki!

Howarth have EVO-5 ligatures for sale at approx £20 - www.howarth.uk.com - not sure who else may have them.

Hope you have a lovely stay in UK.
Kind regards

Tom😎

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi Rikki!

Howarth have EVO-5 ligatures for sale at approx £20 - www.howarth.uk.com -

Rovner say the EVO have been replaced by the star series, I haven't tried one yet.

 

[Rikki]

Thanks Tom and Pete,

I have sent an email to Howarths to check availability. Now can't wait to get to UK and pick up PPT8 from my sister!

All the best guys and thanks again

 

[VirusKiller]

I just picked up a Rovner EVO-5 E-2R from sax.co.uk, in anticipation of switching to tenor and getting a PPT.

Even though the website suggests that they are not available any more, I called and the guy I spoke to found one in stock. Might be worth a try if anyone is still looking for one.

 

[Rikki]

Hi VirusKiller,

I sent email to SAx.co.uk enquiring on availability about the EVO5 2R and a Scott replied saying they had one in stock, but the link he gave me was for a 2M (for metal mouthpice I guess?). So I ordered anyhow and sent another email requesting change of order to 2R. Was this your experience to????

Regards Rikki

 

[VirusKiller]

Hi Rikki, I can't remember whom I spoke to, and I'm not sure if he checked stock on a computer or physically. I'd give them a call and ask specifically if they can check if they have any more lingering about. I may have taken the last one, of course.

 

[VirusKiller]

Since receiving my PPT, I can report that, although my Rovner EVO-5 E-2R seems to fit quite well on my PPT, I get lots of squeaks when attempting front F and altissimo F# and I've noticed that the reed tip can still move laterally when the ligature is tight.

It could be me. It would be that the Legere Signatures are thinner than some (most?) cane reeds. It could be manufacturing tolerance in the ligature. The Legere is held like a rock in my metal Yanigasawa piece (with supplied ligature) and there is not a squeak in sight on altissimo F and F#.

I really want to try something else, but I'm really not sure what.

 

[kevgermany]

Do you like Rovners? Can send you a test strap that I'm experimenting with. Would be grateful for feedback.

 

[VirusKiller]

Do you like Rovners? Can send you a test strap that I'm experimenting with. Would be grateful for feedback.

Sure. Love to give it a whirl...

 

[Rikki]

Hi,

I also have the Rovner EVO-5 E-2R with PPT8. I have used it with a legere signature 2.5 and Rico Royal 3with which I indeed initially had some squeaking, but a period of few weeks this stopped. With softer reeds I never had a squeak. To me it just means that it took me a while to adapt to the new mouthpiece and that the PPT8 is a bit more reed fussy than the mouthpiece I had before. I must say though that the more I play it the more I like it, so just just persevere a bit with it and you will see the benefits I am sure.

All the best from Rikki

 

[kevgermany]

Hi,

I also have the Rovner EVO-5 E-2R with PPT8. I have used it with a legere signature 2.5 and Rico Royal 3with which I indeed initially had some squeaking, but a period of few weeks this stopped. With softer reeds I never had a squeak. To me it just means that it took me a while to adapt to the new mouthpiece and that the PPT8 is a bit more reed fussy than the mouthpiece I had before. I must say though that the more I play it the more I like it, so just just persevere a bit with it and you will see the benefits I am sure.

All the best from Rikki

Squeaking plagued me on the PPT, mostly around upper G. Mine's an 8*, I might have been better off getting one slightly narrower. Sorting out the lig and switching to an RJS 2M (from various Rico Royals/Vandorens/Red box) sorted it out for me. I also found that the lower lip support is critical, and I need to push it well forwards (I do have a bit of an underbite). But the biggest difference was the lig. Second biggest was the reed.

 

[VirusKiller]

Mine's an 8* <snip> I also found that the lower lip support is critical, and I need to push it well forwards

I think I've found that too. Concentrating on my metal Yani for the time being though as, frankly, it's easier.

 

[Adrian63]

Whats a shim?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Bit of cardboard stuffed into a gap.. I recently had my BW Curvie overhauled, and lots of shims seem to fall out of it........!

Kind regards
Tom

 

[Pete Thomas]

Since receiving my PPT, I can report that, although my Rovner EVO-5 E-2R seems to fit quite well on my PPT, I get lots of squeaks when attempting front F and altissimo F# and I've noticed that the reed tip can still move laterally when the ligature is tight.

That is odd, my EVO its beautifully with the Legeres, with plenty of tightening still available.

However I've seen what Kev has done, and it looks really good.

If you want just a normal 2 screw, then the ones they do at Howarths for about £4 or something are perfect. I can't remember the actual brand but if you ring them they'll know it, it has USA stamped on the metal and is the only cheap one like that. I have used one myself and it's great for the PPT.

EDIT: I think you can also get these from Woodwind and bras Ltd.

 

[Pete Thomas]

H To me it just means that it took me a while to adapt to the new mouthpiece and that the PPT8 is a bit more reed fussy than the mouthpiece I had before.

I would definitely say it's the lig and the "getting used to" period. It should be very reed friendly.

 

[Pete Thomas]

One more thing, while at Frankfurt I tried out the Drake ligature and it's great with the PPT. I almost ordered a load to sell with it, but then Aaron pointed out that it's not adjustable, so the size of his ligature depends not just on the mouthpiece, but on the thickness of the reed so you really need to get it fitted. However he was saying he intends to do an adjustable one, which will be perfect.

 

[VirusKiller]

I think you can also get these from Woodwind and bras Ltd.

Branching out, are they? ;} 🙂))