Ligatures Problem with Vandoren Optimum Lig

[Basil]

I have just bought a Vandoren Optimum Lig...expensive but I have read good things about them. However, my playing now seems to have worsened considerably. I now squeak when using all 3 plates, and have lost the ability to jump between registers without emitting a high pitched squeal as I do. Is this just a case of getting used to it do you think, or do I need to up my reed strength to suit the lig, or what ?. I have a Vandoren AL4 mouthpiece, use Vandoren 2.5's and was using a Rovner Dark Lig previously.

Any suggestions anybody ?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Was there a problem with the Rovner?

I find them to be fine ligs. I would suggest you use that if it was working OK, sounds like the new one doesn't work too well with your mouthpiece, maybe not fitting properly.

My preference would be for the Rovner over an Optimum.

 

[Bobby G]

I've got one of those Optimums and find it works ok, although there is a bit of a tendency for the plate to 'wander' offline slightly as you tighten it i.e. not lying straight compared to the reed, and it can be a little tricky with regard to over- or under-tightening it. For simplicity of operation I always use the Rovner style of lig these days, as I don't find there's a great deal of difference in sound from one lig to another.

The differences in the 3 plates of the Optimum are there, but not as noticable as the blurb would have you believe imho, similarly there's little difference between Rovner dark and bright ligs, ultimately they all only hold the reed in place, and eventually 'your' sound will out no matter what the lig. Again, imho.

 

[jools]

Hmm - there is something of the "if it aint broke" philosophy here. It could be (as Pete says) that your mouthpiece doesn't like it. You always have to match the reed AND the lig to the MPCE. It takes ages to find the right balance. It's to do with 'resonances' (apparently) They all have to vibrate at the same frequency or they cancel out certain wave forms.

Saying that. I once met a sax player who used rubber bands. (!) :erm:

 

[greg_strange]

I have a Vandoren Leather LC27 ligature with 3 interchangeable pressure plates that I use with my Vandoren Jumbo Java A35 mouthpiece and it can be a right pr**k of a thing to use even with Vandoren reeds. The plate not sitting properly in the base of the ligature, the reed not sitting properly, etc. You would think using Vandoren items it would work well together. With the Vandoren ZZ 3 reeds using the above combination I sound friggin' terrible, like a band saw. In fact a generic brass ligature that came with mouthpiece works the best. I think some saxophone accessory manufactures try and blind people with science and at the end of the day it's all male bovine faeces. I have used a Rovner ligature on my Meyer 5M mouthpiece for over a decade and it works brilliantly. Hats off to Phil Rovner.
Regards,
Greg Strange.

 

[Bobby G]

Hats off to Phil Rovner indeed. Could it be that those flexible-type ligs are doing the least to inhibit resonances as they don't have any resonant properties of their own and so don't interfere with the resonances of the bits that do need to resonate? I don't know, all I know is that they are quick and easy to use - just don't over-tighten or you'll screw up all those resonances 😉

 

[Basil]

You know, you are right. The Rovner sounded, and still sounds just fab !... And I have been drawn in from one thing that I said from at the outset would never get me...marketing bumph ! I guess ultimately it's what works best for the player. I know a guy who uses those security tag type plastic things that tighten like a jubilee clip, and he sounds pretty good !

Thanks chaps. Does anybody want to buy a slightly used lig ?

 

[philthd]

*cough* bg *cough*

 

[Bobby G]

The only reason I prefer my Rovner over the BG I have, Mr Evangelist, is that the BG is of a much chunkier profile and harder to line up those rubbery rib things against the reed. Other than that, it works fine, but as I've said before the lig doesn't make much difference to my sound so I stick with what's easiest to use and doesn't put dents in my reed.

If it wasn't for the much simpler and quicker fitting of the Rovner I'd use a BG with its big gold logo as it would be kinda cute to have my initials on display on the lig 🙂

 

[nick_cook]

Bobby G wrote:
If it wasn't for the much simpler and quicker fitting of the Rovner I'd use a BG with its big gold logo as it would be kinda cute to have my initials on display on the lig 🙂

[color:green] Poser!!! RG!!! [/color]
😀

 

[Pete Thomas]

Nick Cook wrote:

Bobby G wrote:
If it wasn't for the much simpler and quicker fitting of the Rovner I'd use a BG with its big gold logo as it would be kinda cute to have my initials on display on the lig 🙂

[color:green] Poser!!! RG!!! [/color]
😀

No doubt he has a personally monogrammed Neck strap.

 

[nick_cook]

Pete Thomas wrote:

No doubt he has a personally monogrammed Neck strap.

[color:green]I want one too!!!!!! (I AM a poser!!)[/color]

 

[jools]

Or you could just change your name by deed poll to "Neo Tech"

 

[Bobby G]

Pete Thomas wrote:

Nick Cook wrote:

Bobby G wrote:
If it wasn't for the much simpler and quicker fitting of the Rovner I'd use a BG with its big gold logo as it would be kinda cute to have my initials on display on the lig 🙂

[color:green] Poser!!! RG!!! [/color]
😀

No doubt he has a personally monogrammed Neck strap.

Yes I have! :laugh: My soprano sling is a BG, but my excuse is that it came with the sax. Honestly.

At least I haven't gone as far as Johnny Hodges and had my name engraved around the inner rim of the bell of my alto, and none of my guitars has been personalised in any manner.

 

[Jules]

Jools wrote:
Or you could just change your name by deed poll to "Neo Tech"

A superb piece of lateral thinking there!

 

[Bobby G]

Somehow, the name Neo Tech would fit well with someone who plays in a band called Veibmeld. Very Kraftwerk.

 

[tengu01]

Bobby G wrote:
The only reason I prefer my Rovner over the BG I have, Mr Evangelist, is that the BG is of a much chunkier profile and harder to line up those rubbery rib things against the reed. Other than that, it works fine, but as I've said before the lig doesn't make much difference to my sound so I stick with what's easiest to use and doesn't put dents in my reed.

If it wasn't for the much simpler and quicker fitting of the Rovner I'd use a BG with its big gold logo as it would be kinda cute to have my initials on display on the lig 🙂

Well, as we have opened up this particular can of worms, I will throw in my 2c.

I tried Rovner ligatures and found that they just strangled every reed I tried with them. Just couldn't get it to work for me.

For my alto with a meyer mouthpiece, I ran into Howarths, chose a cheap and cheerful one and never looked back. The BG tradition ligature. Holds the reed in place and doesn't strangle its sound. Never looked back.

Sorry Rovner fans, not a convert

 

[sharon]

This is interesting because it's only since I've starting using the BG lig that came with my sax originally that my sound has really improved. I mostly play a Selmer C* and was playing it with a metal lig. I thought I'd try the BG as it was scudding around and it sounded great. I have been wondering whether to try a Rovner - as I've heard good things but probably won't bother now.

Just as a matter of interest does anyone think there is much sound difference between metal and BG/rovner type ligs?

Sharon

 

[jools]

"much sound difference between metal and BG/rovner type ligs?"
-not in my playing experience. I have all kinds, but the fabric/rubber style are just much easier to use and don't get bent out of shape like the metal ones.

 

[Linky Lee]

I used to have a rovner lig for my tenor but promptly lost it whilst packing away drunk after a gig...
I've resorted back to using the standard ligature that comes with the metal otto links. It's a real pain and I do notice the sound difference actually. There is a harsh buzz quality to the tone that apparently doesn't come across to the audience but annoys me. It's also incredibly fiddly, easy to bend and just generally rubbish. Maybe I'll resort to elastic bands for a while.