Comments on the ligatures...

[ding]

Hi there...

Wanna request for some input on ligatures...
I am thinking of changing my ligature to a metal one, but i'm not too sure which one should i go for...

I've thought of:
- BG Tradition (Gold plated/lacquered?)
- Vandoren Optimum

I'm currently using Rovner Dark...it is quite velvet and dark. But now i'm thinking of getting a more colourful, vibrant but not bright sound...compact should be the word...and stronger sound on high notes... I'm playing more towards classical...

Any suggestions for me?...how abt the ones i've mentioned...
Do they work well with a NC4, classique 3, selmer alto 80 series II...?

Thanks...looking forward to your reply![/list][/list]

[Dave Dolson]

ding: I've always preferred metal ligs over Rovners, Winslows, and whatevers. I know some posters swear by their Rovners, but all the ones I've tried (the whole line) have muffled my sound. My two-screw/two-band metal ligs (mostly by Selmer) brighten my sound, and give me more power (exactly what I need!!!). DAVE

[Mike Ruhl]

My experience has been that, as with different cuts of reeds, some types of ligatures work better than others on different mouthpieces. The trick is finding the right combination of of all three (reed, mpc, lig).

[sessionsax]

I agree with Dave Dolson, the metal ligs seem to work best. You can do a trick to a stock metal lig that seems to help and that is to rubber coat the portion of the ligature that comes in contact with the reed. It helps keep the reed from moving around and frees up the response a bit.

[colibri]

What do you use to rubber coat that area?

[Kosma]

Francois Louis is the only way to play. It holds the reed on and lets the mouthpiece vibrate freely. It opens up the sound a ton and improves response all over the horn.

[sax maniac]

i agre with kosma but the lig doesn't open the sound up so much that it leans towards jazz but it's the best lig i've found and don't intend on changing. just don't use a rovner they SUCK!!! :wink:

[singlereed]

Ding, I use an Optimum and a BG Tradition (metal, inverted) lig on different Vanbdoren pieces on my altos. The Optimum especially is a reliable lig, I think most ligs can work well if they fit properly but that is where the problem lies - and the Optimum seems to get a reliably good contact. Another good one is the Selmer metal two-screw inverted lig ('Masters'?).

If you have a good fit, I have found they don't slip at all - it's the Olegature that I find moves all too easily, and my approach to that is to put a thin mouthpiece patch on the top of the mouthpiece where the lig makes contact.

[Keith]

just don't use a rovner they SUCK!!!

Well it all depends on what kind of sound you are going after. I own a Optimum and a Rovner MkIII. I think the Rovner works better for my set up. (Super20-Silversonic, Meyer 5M) All three plates of the Optimum are too bright to my liking. By the way what horns are you all playing?

[Joseph Boucher]

I too was not happy with the Rovner ligs and switched back to the metal ones. JD Hite has a metal lig that is designed to allow the reed to vibrate more freely. I like a bright sound over the stuffy sound I got with Rovner. Therefore I will try Hite's lig. They're not expensive and I think worth a shot. Joe.

[Mike Ruhl]

:lol: I'm using a Rovner dark on my Hite 128 tenor mpc. I prefer it to the Hite lig that came with the mpc. Dif'rent strokes...

[Bill Mecca]

and what does Gary Coleman have to do with this discussion?

[T-MAN]

whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis? :lol:

[jim3121]

Anyone playing a tenor metal Runyon Quantum...which metal ligatures fit? And then, which of those have you tried sound the best in your estimation? Their plastic lig sounds fine, once you get it on there tight - but wow, what a chore(as far as moving it down far enough on the reed & just plain trying to get it to fit).

Thanks in advance!

[singlereed]

BG make the 'metal jazz' for metal Dukoffs, I use a soprano one on a Jody Jazz and Runyon Quantum (soprano) - the tenor metal Dukoff model may suit, they are neat little ligs with rubber pads built in that seem to give a reliable contact and result.

[jim3121]

Thanks, Singlereed! I also use a Quantum metal mpc on my Soprano - been using this slightly oversized Selmer lig. I'll look into BG for the Tenor(Dukoff size - had wondered if would fit)and the Soprano.

[michaelbaird]

The only time rouvner ligatures need to be used is to tone down the brightness of a cheap lightweight Tiawanese sax when you are trying to use a Dukoff mouthpeice. Try the 22ga wire! I love the tone it gives me. I use a Mark VI, a Dukoff D7, and a Rico 3 1/2. Try a few garbage bag twist ties if you doubt me. If you play a heavy horn with a lot of metal, you need all the vibration you can get. It is not as much how trashy your tone is close up but how it sounds amplified 20ft away. The reed has to vibrate as freely as it can. A centered and focused sound is what I'm after.

[jim3121]

Thanks Mike - What you said makes perfect sense! Where's a good place to buy that Lig.?!