Ligatures Problem with Vandoren Optimum Lig

[Bobby G]

Is the BG Tradition lig as simple in appearance as a Rovner? As I noted before, my BG has this big chunky ribbed rubber 'plate' that holds the reed in place which is what puts me off it - it's fiddly to line up and makes the whole lig rather chunky. If it wasn't for that I'd use it as happily as I use a Rovner, so in that sense I'm not really a Rovner convert, more a convenience convert!

 

[jools]

What's that thing I'm using (in the avatar) I've had it for years, but no brand name on it. It's just a band of rubbery fabric, no plastic liner or plates or anything. Very streamline. I have a few of these in different sizes. Love em.

 

[Bobby G]

I've got one like that, came with a devil's-junkyard mpc, it's pracrically identical to a Rovner except the screw and thumbscrew are silvery rather than goldy in appearance. There are no doubt some who may claim the difference in metallic composition between this and a real Rovner will make untold difference to the sound 😉

 

[Basil]

I also find that the metal lig has a sharper higher pitched tone, or under tone that is verging on a squeak, but doesn't quite get there. The Rovner doesn't have this, and just sounds so mellow in comparison. It is easy to use...and the reed is easier to control, or seems more forgiving (which in my cae is more apt). I definately notice a difference, but as I started out with this problem thread in the first place then that is perhaps no surprise.

I'm still not entirely convinced that I have set it up properly though.

 

[tengu01]

Bobby G wrote:
Is the BG Tradition lig as simple in appearance as a Rovner? As I noted before, my BG has this big chunky ribbed rubber 'plate' that holds the reed in place which is what puts me off it - it's fiddly to line up and makes the whole lig rather chunky. If it wasn't for that I'd use it as happily as I use a Rovner, so in that sense I'm not really a Rovner convert, more a convenience convert!

The BG tradition is one you seem to have to hunt for. It's metal and very simply constructed. You can see a picture of it on the howarth website http://www.howarth.uk.com/clcapsligaturesandsets.html
if you press the little icon to the left of the description. It just works. And it's not as fiddly as the "francois louis ultimates" which I find work quite well too. Don't be fooled by the marketing blurb which states that the gold-plating help bring out a brilliant tone. After some months of hard abuse, all the gold plating had worn off but it is still a great ligature. It fits on my alto meyer and on my tenor morgan excalibur.

 

[Bobby G]

I have a Rovner that fits both my HR sop and metal alto pieces! Two for the price of one, I like that!

Tengu, I can see what you mean about Rovners maybe 'strangng' the reed, but I only tighten mine just enough to hold it firmly, and then about... ooh... thaaaaat much more for luck and it works fine for me. I think, personally, that lig choice is largely a matter of personal preference and perception. One thing to avoid for sure is the marketing hype, if the four quid metal-and-two screws type is what suits you, then that's fine...

 

[tengu01]

Yeah. it is odd that. Some people swear by them and I just can't get them to work for me. Maybe I'll dust it off and try it again to see if I'm just an anti-Rovner bigot 🙂