Optimum Lig - which plate?

[sinkdraiN]

I use an Optimum Lig on a tenor V16 mp. I was messing around with the plates before a gig last night and wondered what plates others prefer and why?

Plate #1: 2 grooves run the length of the reed
Plate #2: 2 grooves run the width of the reed
Plate #3: 4 "dots" in each corner

I always used #2 for no other reason than it held the reed on best. Last night i tried #3 but Im not sure what i like best.

[JimD]

I usually use #1 because I feel it gives a richer, more expansive sound and has the most buzz. I sometimes use #2 and I find it more centred. It has a more solid feel for me with slightly dampened overtones but can be pushed nicely. I figure #3 to be a classically oriented plate but I'm sure someone will tell me I'm wrong. Since the #3 touches the reed the least I expected a fuller sound but it 's overly bright and clean for me, it seems to have a lot of lift though. I usually return to #1 but to be honest I have happily used the #2 for weeks at a time without realising it. I find 1 & 2 are a bit darker which I prefer, I have no problems playing bright.

[baga]

i use #1 too. i rarely use the #2 and #3. #3 is too bright, too loose for me. i prefer a more dampened tone. same with #2 but to a lesser degree. i seem to trust the #1 more, it seems.. more stable(?). don't know about the buzz though.. the #2 and #3 seem to buzz more IMHO.
however.. if someone would change the plates i would hardly notice, since the sound is basically similar.

[MikeS]

I use #2 on my STM Link, for more or less the same reason that sinkdraiN says: it holds the reed on best. On the Link, it makes the best seal. I have one also for my clarinet that I bought used with only the #1 plate, and it works fine. In general, I think the Optimums do a great hassle-free job of holding the reed firmly against the table, which, in my view, is what a lig should do.

[singlereed]

I tried them all and settled on 1. I'd struggle to find where I put the other ones, though I keep meaning to come back and have another go with them.

[Tsax]

I have tried the Optimum lig for some time (until I changed my mouthpiece and it didn't fit anymore), and I preferred the number 1 at first. But later on, I changed to the #3 (with the four dots). The reason I did change the plate, was because a number of people preferred that sound, cause the projection was much better (and not too bright). To my ears, being so close to the horn, the #3 was a bit bright, but from a short distance, the sound projected better (and from the same distance, the no. 1 was a bit dull). And, the #3 played very free blowing, also an advantage.

[Tsax]

Sorry, forgot to mention the mouthpiece I was using the Optimum with: it was a V16 T95 or T97, don't remember wich one exactly (have traded the mouthpiece).

[MojoBari]

I use one on HR alto mouthpieces, like a Meyer. I did a quick audition and selected #3 (4 corners). It was the most responsive for me and that is what I primarily look for in a lig. It stacked up well to my Winslow but is a lot easier to slap on the mouthpiece.

[sinkdraiN]

it looks like a lot of you feel that #3 is the brightest/buzziest/most responsive. I'll have to see what i think. BTW- Tsax what did you replace your V16 T95 with?

[smitch]

I have been using the #2 (even though I usually use my Winslow) Oddly enough, last night I experimented with all 3 and decided that I am going to use the 1 for awhile. I wanted a slightly darker more controlled sound - particularly on the high A, which plays a prominent part in a song we are working on now - and I felt that the #1 sounded the best and still allowed me to hit the low C# (also in the song).

[sinkdraiN]

Thats a good point has anyone else noticed certain plates helping the lower notes to speak easier. I didnt remember any major differences in that area

[Schorsch]

Hi!!!

I use plate #1 on Caravan, Rascher and Link Tone Edge 8*.

[c.c]

Plate #3

It's the brightest and most responsive.

[Tsax]

After my V16 I played/tried a few different mouthpieces: first a Lawton 8*BB, after that a Guardala Studio, and a few weeks ago I decided to go for a warmer mouthpiece and started playing a STM Link 8*. So now I am thinking about trying the Optimum again (I sold the lig...)

[Angle Tears]

I also have a Vandoren Optimum lig for my Vandoren Soprano S-35 HR piece. I consider it's a very expensive lig but the added value of this product is there are 3 small metal plates come with. It give more fun.

Now I use #1, but do you think it give nice smooth Jazz sound?

PS: I use Java 2.5 reed & YSS-875S.

[Toni Linder]

I use plate #1 on a RPC alto mouthpiece with Alexander Superial reeds. I find it projects well and I like the nice buzz it add. To me, #2 sounds rather dull. #3 is a bit less rich, soundwise, than #1.

The only problem I have is that plate #1 sometimes doesn't seal the reed as much as it should, probably because the pression is along the centre of the reed only.

[Angle Tears]

I found plate #1 cannot point to the reed in center poisition. If it can, may be has better sound (??) :cry:

[twiles]

Will the Optimum fit any mouthpiece? Will it fit a Dukoff D7 Soprano? I would like to purchase one, however, I am not sure what mouthpieces they will fit? Can anyone help?
Ted :?

[Angle Tears]

As I know the Optimum lig is mainly ofr HR piece. It can't fit on the Dukoff, Beechler Bellite Metal or Metal Link.

[MikeS]

The Optimum V16 will fit a metal Link and similar size mouthpieces.

[Kosma]

I know that the alto lig will fit a Morgan Excalibur tenor, which is similar in size to some metal pieces.
I used the optimum until I got a FL.
I liked the #2 plate the best. It was the most responsive for me.
Before that I used an inverted vandoren lig which contacted the reed the same as #2.
If you're gonna spend $50 on a lig-do yourself a favor and get the Francois Louis. Nothing else comes close.

[Tears June]

My Optimum soprano lig can only fit for HR piece. It can't fit my Beechler Bellite metal & Metal Link soporano MP.

Plate 1 & 2, both are very good for my S-35 HR MP. Plate 1 gives very rich & thick sound. Plate 2 is more clean, a bit more bright, make my YSS-875 sounds like Selmer.

:cry:

[sbcpacker4life]

I never use #1 - it feels stuffy
#2 on my c* for legit
#3 ony my meyer 5 medium chamber for jazz

[Vortex]

I still need to experiment further, but so far for me:

1 - Seems pretty nice, my favorite, good articulation
2 - Gives me kind of a Desmond-like tone, somewhat muted and restrained, but can be very powerful... I'd imagine tenor players could get a Coltrane-like sound /w this one.
3 - Seems like it's made for more expressive stuff ala Greg Osby, nice power and projection.

[johnlow]

Well, i used mine with a selmer s90 mpc with yanagisawa alto sax A-901. I prefer the 1st plate since i think i can get the loudest and most projective sound from it. I am in marching band.
The 2nd plate sounds even and smooth. I used for some indoor playing sometimes but i most of the time i am lazy to switch. haha..
I dont quite like the 3rd plate because it's a bit.. em.. stuffy sound. I dont quite like it. Its not as easy to articulate as the other plates. The 1st plate gives the best responses.

[Vortex]

Ok, after a week more experimentation -

Plates 1 and 2 are pretty much the same in terms of response and tone, but plate 1 is more spread and plate 2 is more focused. Plate 3 is something else altogether, nice smooth projection and gain.

[Vortex]

...and a few more months experience:

Really digging plate 3, the most freeblowing of all, and my intonation has improved significantly with this plate!